Aveda Institute Salon

Love this salon. It’s not technically a salon I guess. It’s Aveda Institute, where they train the hair dressers.

This was my first time at an Aveda institute facility and I was a bit skeptical due to the reviews. But alas I figured ones mans garbage is anothers… well you know. I was pleasantly surprised with Ashley. She made me feel so comfortable and she was so gentle and soft spoken. I opted to go with the 90 min facial. I was finally really able to relax after a very hectic couple of weeks. I left glowing and rehydrated! I even splurged on a few products after seeing how well Aveda left my skin. Already booked my next facial! Give this place a try! Thanks Ashley!

Had I reviewed this place when I began to come here years ago, it would have gotten 4 stars for sure because they used to provide excellent services at an affordable price. However, I was just informed that they will no longer provide services on a Saturday as of April 30, 2016. If this was a business teaching students skills typically used during the week (M-​F) only, I would not have a concern with the lack of Saturday services. However, this is a cosmetology school where the students will likely enter the work force and have to work Saturdays. So, it is not ok in my book.
Unfortunately, I am not independently wealthy and have to work traditional business hours to earn the money to pay for these services. Thus, I will no longer patronage this business.

I’ve been going to the Aveda Institure for a long time, possibly 15 years. It seems that when they made the move up north to the Stone Oak location, management/​training went downhill. In the past, I was always happy with my haircut and color, even if it wasn’t exactly what I wanted, or it took a little longer than I would have liked. It’s a training school… the price was right, and I always felt I had a professional result after leaving. Not so anymore. It seems that unless you want the Jennifer Anniston cut, you’re met with a blank stare or a suggestion that «Um, maybe you want the Farrah Fawcett?» The last haircut/​style was the worst. I looked so funny that my husband (who never notices anything about my hair unless I have a power tool up there) actually laughed when he saw me. Not only that, the young lady put so much product in my hair, it looked as if I had been bedridden for weeks. It took two showers to get it all out. What bothered me the most about all this is that the instructor actually complimented the results, saying I looked ‘gorgeous.’ If a glorified mullet full of grease can get a review like that from an instructor, it tells me there are some serious management/​training issues, and that the poor students are in trouble. I wish Aveda would audit this place, it needs help. No wonder the parking lot is always empty.

sad to see that aveda institute has only 3.5 stars. been coming to this place for over a year and haven’t experienced any cancelled appointments/​bad experience as mentioned in other reviews but as everyone else has mentioned: they take a lot longer than other salons because the stylists are students so they might need help from an instructor and they only accepts check or cash tips. I touch up my hair color every 3 weeks and it costs $ 30 which is way less than any other place i’ve been to. i get my hair cut by a senior student and the cost is $ 20 which is, again, way less than any other place. i’ve also done a facial and mani pedi but mostly stick to hair services. you can call or make appointments online. plenty of parking. give it a try!!!

I made an appointment 7 weeks prior. I got a call 20 minutes before canceling because the student didn’t show up. Not only was I not offered another appointment but when I complained and asked for an explanation as to why they could not fit me in with anyone else, I was told that, as a school, they do not always expect their students to show up! Why even bother making reservations then? why not just have it as a first come first served? 7 weeks and to have my appointment canceled is very
is because it is a school that they need to teach their students how to be professional! Students don’t just graduate and become professional. Very disappointed.
Edit– The director of the Aveda Institute called to apologize and was very charming, assuring me that this treatment is not standard of Aveda. I will try to give them another shot.

Recently moved to SA from Dallas and have been going to the Dallas Aveda Institute for almost 6 years. Been to this SA Aveda School twice this summer. Had a twice confirmed appt today for 9:30AM. Find out at 9:25AM oops we f#cked up, your student not available can only see you for one of the two services booked for color & cut at 4:30pm. Yea a real Sophies Choice. I’m going out of town, today’s my only day off. I’m screwed. Got really pissed off and said they are very unprofessional and it was time to end our relationship, lose my number, don’t ever call me again.
Looked on Unilocal for a new salon and booked with Salon Volt for afternoon appt, they even have a Unilocal promo going on :)

I got a mother’s day gift to get a facial my hormonal jumbled face totally rejoiced to! I’ll echo most of the other reviews by stating first off this is a school — schedule extra time to go and give grace to the students! My facial was done by a darling girl who’ll be great at what she does. Her and the Aveda products used get 5 stars! My notes are for the ‘spa’ area. Yes, it is a teaching facility so I understand why it is kind of like an ER where the only thing separating clients are a sheet hanging from the wall. However, I would like to see people hearing at the front desk or by the student that since there aren’t walls to please be courteous and whisper/​avoid cell phones while back for a treatment. Much of my facial was spent listening to someone place a takeout sushi order and talking loudly about her eye brows — not exactly the most relaxing environment ;)
*Note you cannot tip on the credit card bill so be sure to bring cash!

What a wonderful experience I had at the school. Jordan was wonderful, I would recommend her. She was open to listening to her instructor. The only reason I didn’t give my experience a five was because it took a long time, that is neither good or bad really. Jordan took her time and gave me a fabulous haircut. I will be going back to her for my next haircut.

Cut– I’ve been here a few times for a cut and the students do a good job. I have long hair and just go in for basic trims and recutting of layers. The students really do care about how your hair turns out and you get hand and a head massage. The salon itself is nice as well.
Color-​I would not recommend getting your hair colored here. I decided to give them a try since the dye is less harsh than something from the store. Plus I was afraid of messing it up. I went in asking for a color a shade darker than my natural color just to give it more shine. I’m naturally a level 5 with lots of gold highlights. I told her I wanted to go no darker than a 4. I also asked twice if the color was true to shade or if would turn out darker. I was told it was true to shade and would look like my natural root color and just cover up my natural highlights. Once done I mentioned that it looked darker than what I wanted, also the ends were darker than my roots. I didn’t hate it I just didn’t love it. I will say that my hair itself looked very healthy and shiny and felt better but the color itself just wasn’t for me.
Bottom line: If your looking for a haircut this is a good place to go. I wouldn’t recommend a color though.

I made a reservation at this Salon School and the morning of my appointment I got a call saying that 12 Students had failed to show up and the 6 that had shown up were fully booked. The poor woman at the desk was alone and did not have time to reschedule me as customers were showing up and she needed to check them in. She offered a 30% reduction on my next visit and that she would call me in the following week to rebook. She never called. BE AWARE that one any given Saturday this could happen to you too.

I’ve been to both old and new campus for facial, haircuts, mani and pedicure. Parking is definitely better at the new location but I miss the airy feel and character old campus offers.
Facial — love the warm feet treatment. I like that they let you pick the aroma therapy fragrance. The experience would be great if the student don’t have to get the instructor to check in every other step. The message is more like touching than massage, and each time I went home with exfoliating scrub still stuck on my chin or neck. Glad I found a trusty medical asethetician elsewhere.
Haircut — this procedure requires a lot of patience on your side. To be fair, my Asian hair texture is not something everyone can handle so I don’t except much from the trim. But when a treatment and trim takes close to 4 hours, it’s not cool. When instructor can’t fix my bangs I had to take matters in my own hand and show them how it’s done. Things maybe smoother if you don’t have Asian hair texture like me.
Mani/​pedicure — no cuticle treatment because they are student. I’ve done both shellac and traditional. Students in general are afraid to use force when they give massage, so don’t forget to remind them to use more force if need be. Yesterday’s treatment I felt the massage is more like touching than massage no matter how much I ask the student to use more force :(air bubbles and missing polish on edge are common from my visits, just check for them before you leave.
Overall I recommend this place if you don’t mind spending more time than full price professional, as the price is very reasonable. Speak up nicely when you see room for improvement.

Finally got around to having a much needed 60 minute facial. Absolutely speechless, the service was flawless and the entire staff was very friendly. I will definitely make this a once a month priority. Highly recommended.

I get my hair trimmed here and recently, I started getting facials. I am pleased by the service and the students have been very professional and personable. I usually don’t get the hand massage with my haircut, because it seems like a weird thing to do when getting your haircut, but that’s probably just my OCD talking.
I love the facial services and recommend getting the 60 minute, it’s not too short and not too long and your face feels like velvet afterwards.

Head the warnings, you will be here for up to 6 hours so make sure you have nothing else going on that day!
Besides the amount of time I had a great experience at the Aveda Institute. I went in for a partial foil and cut ($ 63) and love my results. My stylist Rachel was very sweet, I loved that she asked her instructors for help instead of just «winging it» with my hair. I was there for such a long time but couldn’t leave to get lunch so she gave me a pack of her own peanut butter crackers :) Great place for a budget conscience salon experience!

I was looking for a simple trim… nothing too crazy since I’m trying to grow my hair out. I booked an appointment online through the Aveda Institute website. It was easy, and I received text messages to confirm my appointment.
My stylist, Janelle, was great! She’s almost done with school (all they stylists are students) but wields a pair of scissors like a pro. She did exactly what I wanted and I am so happy with my haircut. This location is a full-​service institute, with estheticians, nail techs and color specialists, along with a full line of products.
The best part (besides the great haircut and service) was the price. Wash/​cut/​blow dry for $ 17. Yes, you read that correctly…$ 17. I know they price services on the experience of the stylist, so some might cost a little more or a little less, but you can’t beat these prices for the level and quality of service.
I’ve already booked my next appointment!