Aveda Institute Atlanta

You just cannot brat this deal — Aveda products, professional services, $ 18 haircut? Highly recommended!

Awwwwweful ghetto management. I scheduled an appointment over the phone a few days before for 5:30pm for a partial highlight. Left work early, arrive at aveda, never receiving a confirmation call. They sit me down with my hair stylist who seems really insecure about doing a partial highlight.
Her male teacher comes over, and say they wont be able to complete the service, its going to take like 4 hours. mind you, my hair is med blonde, previously highlighted. And then he says, «I would do it, but you cant afford me.» SERIOUSLY BRUH? He offers me 10% off a future service. :/​
Why didnt they check their schedule/​services appts for the day? Call to confirm with their clients? And he says that I cant afford him? Aweful! He never once apologized for the inconvenience.
Customer service training is needed at this business. I think it was a blessing in disguise to be honest. Save yourself a headache and go to Paul Mitchell.

I’ve had a very mixed bag of experiences here. I’ve gotten really great color from a Master’s level student… but also really meh color. I’ve never had a total hair disaster. Oddly enough, some of the more meh experiences have been at the hands of students who are simultaneously working at high end Atlanta salons; the best color I’ve ever had had been by a student who literally started cutting hair less than a year before!
Some tips, if you’re thinking about giving Aveda a shot:
–Bring some snacks and an audio book or your laptop. These are students, which means they take a lot longer than more experienced stylists. For color, I usually wind up being here for around 5 or 6 hours. That said, I get boatloads of work done on my laptop when I’m there because there’s not much else to do.
–Sign up for their email list– they do a fair number of coupons and guest discount days.
–If you are crazy picky about your hair, don’t go. They have a service guarantee and will absolutely try to right any wrongs, but still– if you are demanding or incredibly particular, a teaching salon isn’t for you.
–A LOT (LOT LOT LOT LOT LOT) of the success depends on the instructor/​educator helping the Master’s Level student out– ask to go in on a day where Carrie is supervising, and you’ll be golden!

I used the services of Master students at Aveda many times over several years before I decided to follow one to his New Talent position at Van Michael salons. Always I was treated with respect and friendliness; the services were great. I began getting highlights and had regular cuts there. Liked the Tourmaline facial I got and would love to do that again. I learned a lot about caring for my hair and why the natural products they use are so good for your hair and at the same time kind to our planet and the developing countries where many of their ingredients are sourced. At one point I vacationed in the rainforests of Peru, and viewed the huge crops of Brazil nuts that make it possible for indigenous people to harvest, make a living, and yet not destroy the rainforest in the process. Incredibly, back home, I viewed a video of how Aveda sources its shampoo proteins – and they showed the place I’d been. Highly recommend using the students, especially those in the latter phases of their program.

I don’t usually write reviews, but if I could I would give a rating of zero for the most horrible salon experience ever. I went in for simple blond hilites on brown hair. My hair is short and curly, and had an OTC brown. I have had my hair hilited and colored off and on for the last 40years. I saw a «master» advanced student. The instructor gave the student directions for chemical color mixing. The student loosely foiled hilites and then applied a very dark color to the back of my head and in between the foils. It was already looking wrong but the instructor did not seem concerned. After 2hours I had to leave, the whole coloring went wrong, my hair was a very dark brown with a few strands of reddish hilites at the crown. They asked that I stay and they correct it, but I couldn’t so I went back this morning, I would not have gone back but they insisted that I pay the day before, so I gave them a 2^nd chance. I asked to see another student which I did, however, she had the same instructor as the one I had the day before. The student was very nice and followed her instructor Justin to the letter. Several other instructors passed by and gave positive comments. After 4 hours and several corrective chemical processes, my hair looked like Lucille Ball, red and puffy. Yes I am now a brassy red head and out to purchase a wig. I was never so horrified, I began to sob uncontrollably, the poor student was so upset that she was done for the day. I see now that the students were following the directions of an incompetent instructor… the students were very professional and did not make any decisions on their own. it is the instructors that are ignorant in their lack of knowledge in using chemicals on various hair types… no attention to detail or common sense, they should not be teaching until they themselves truly understand hair. They are supposed to be the experts. What is really scary is that the students rely on their instruction to succeed. They did return my money, but did not admit to a wrong and offered no apology or compensation. I have to now purchase expensive products to attempt reviving my dead hair. Aveda was an exclusive hair institute at one time, no longer… Maybe their cutting skills are better, however, I would never know.

I had a nice experience at the Aveda Institute today! Master student Heather and her instructor Justin were a great team. Heather was very nice. When it came to cutting my bangs, she was very careful and spun me around 2 or 3 times to confirm I liked the length or wanted it shorter. She also educated me on the amount of shampoo to use from their line (which I had been using way too much of it seems haha), and even when we discovered she had cut one side too short, her instructor Justin was very courteous & friendly and fixed it to my liking right away. My hair feels smooth and light, and much healthier than when I came in. 1:30 for a wash, cut, and blow dry (about average).
Despite being very busy, everyone at the front counter was nice as usual, and though I didn’t pre book (I never do because I just never know what my schedule will be like), I would like to return for a trim or maybe some of their other services. I’ve been going to the Institute for years in many different cities and almost always leave completely satisfied with my hair. This is a great place to go for a haircut at a great price. And if you aren’t satisfied, they are more than happy to make it right, on the spot.

I always leave very happy with my services. I enjoy the complimentary neck/​shoulder massage to start the consultation. Be patient knowing these are students and it may take a little longer than at a traditional salon. During the «finished look» (aka:styling) the students always seem very knowledgeable about the products they are using and educate on how to use them to recreate the same style at home.

Pricing is horrible and I think it’s to «weed» some people put. $ 50 for a blow dry with flat iron is ridiculous to pay to have a student do your hair (and there is at least a 60% chance they’re gonna mess it up anyway). I think the pricing is to deter people who have a lot of hair or thick hair from coming in and it’s working. I give it 2 stars because 3 years ago (when the pricing was fair) I got the BEST blow out of my life. Unfortunately she graduated soon after and only did my hair twice. Nothing has compared to that and I felt absolutely gorgeous. That was the only good result I had there I went back about 7 times after she graduated and never had a good result. And the products are good but I’ll never go back.

I used to only get my hair cut at Aveda, when they were at their old location. Since they’ve moved I’ve gotten my hair cut there twice, each time disappointed.
Yesterday I went in to cut my very long hair (almost reaching the bottom of my back). I wanted to get it cut to about mid-​chest length, long layers and explained that I was growing out old side swept bangs so just to cut them and make it look right. My stylist was very nice, great customer service.
2 hours later and my hair was greasy and wouldn’t dry. I’m not sure if the shampoo wasn’t rinsed out enough, or what the case was but when I left it looked like I hadn’t showered in weeks. My hair is about 2 – 3 inches shorter than what I wanted, and that’s just the longest length. I specifically made sure to ask for long layers again right before he started cutting the layers– they are not long. After simply brushing my hair out in the mirror this morning, I saw that one side is about .5 inches longer than the other.
I know I didn’t bring anything to show the stylist, but I asked for a masters student and he assured me that he could see what my last haircut was and knew how to cut it again. My hair looks nothing like my last haircut.
Aveda used to be a great place to get your haircut by students who were really learning, and the instructors there used to actually be active in the appointments. When the instructor came to look over my hair before I could leave, she didn’t touch an inch of my hair or even look at haircut.
Aveda is not the place it used to bring. Bring back instructors who care to teach and correct and maybe it is somewhere I will consider going again.

I have had good experiences with Aveda Institute Atlanta in the past, but the experience has gone downhill. I went in for foils, and after 4 ½ hours of having my hair pulled hard, my head burned with a blow dryer and listening to my stylist gossip with her peers about how much the school sucks, I ended up with large blonde stripes in my hair. My daughter was also getting foils, and we had to leave after 5 hours with her in wet hair and no cut, because her stylist was going to need another hour to cut and style her hair. No stylist who has reached a «master» level should need 6 hours to do a half-​head foil and trim. It’s sad that something that was once so good has deteriorated to a base-​level substandard ghetto beauty school atmosphere.

Went once and I liked it. Went 2 nd time and arrived late and couldn’t take my appointment which is understandable. The third attempt tried to go and because of work and hard scheduled arrived 5 min late. They said no. Don’t even bother to notice that my hair was a mess and had a long day, hurry all my scheduled just to be able to do my hair and still no understanding. A little bit of service would it be nice

I went there for a highlight/​dark red ombré/​balayage. I showed multiple photos to the «masters». I confirmed with them that I did not dye my hair in the past 10 years. So, there is no leftover dye in my hair. The «educator» gave me a quote of $ 102 at first!!! On their website, it said $ 62 for full foil. So, I was surprised. Then she said because my hair was not that thick, we might be able to do it with $ 72-​$ 82.
It took over two hours for the masters to put the color on my hair in the foils. After that, she said we had to wait for 45 min and she would check after 30 min. However, after 30 min, I asked whether she wanted to check at that time. She said it was only 20 min. I waited for over an hour at the end.
My hair turned very yellow/​copper instead of the dark red that I want. I was very disappointed. She kept saying she liked it and this would cost at least $ 200-​$ 300 at a salon. And if it was too dark, I might not be able to see the color and so on. Since I didn’t like it, she said she could add a toner to make it more red. And she had to ask if they had to charge me for the toner.
So, I did the toner because they said they wouldn’t charge me. The color is slightly more orange than yellow, but it is still not dark red. And she kept saying she liked it and so on. I just felt like I have a total hair dye fail moment. I think my hair look much better before that highlight. I asked her where she got her hair done. She said somewhere else. I asked why she didn’t get it done there. She didn’t answer me. So, I think I just should have gone somewhere else…
She said I could go back again later to get the red toner again for $ 10. I don’t think it really can get my hair anywhere close to the dark red that I want.
Now I’m looking at their service menu online, the most expensive color item is «Corrective Color» which is $ 102. I clearly was not getting a corrective color today. So, I don’t know whether the initial quote was even accurate. I feel the pricing was deceptive. With $ 102, I can go to a good salon in midtown to get a full foil.
I give 2 stars because I had a haircut last week there and it was good. It was slow, but I think it is acceptable. I think so far just don’t go there for color. I totally regretted about this.

Oh, where to begin. Brought my daughter in for an updo (low bun with a few curly strands and incorporated braid) and makeup from a ‘Master Student.’ I should have gathered her and left when our ‘Master Student’ called someone over to do the small braid (no, not even a french braid, just a small accent braid). Once it was done, it was ok. Not awful, not impressive. My daughter seemed happy, and that was all that mattered. So why the 1 star? Oh, it gets worse. The bun fell out during makeup. Makeup that she had to stand up for, because there was only 1 seat, and there were 2 makeups scheduled. Stylist fixed it, told her to be very careful, and continued the makeup. The makeup took less time than you would spend to apply it if you were running out for groceries. She asked for contouring, like the girl in the 1 seat they had for makeup. Hers was beautiful. The end result for us was no attempt at contouring, blush that looked like it was applied with a paint brush, no blending, eyeshadow all over the place, and no mascara was even used. Her lipstick would have been spot on if she were a hooker in the Wild West… Hoco, not so much. We paid, since there seemed to be no one around supervising, and saved ourselves the argument. I wasn’t trying to completely ruin my child’s day. Her hair fell again in the car (where she said she liked it ok, but figured she could fix the side at home), and again while she was redoing her makeup. Completely. All in all, we paid for hair that I had to go for supplies to redo, and makeup that we had to scrub off and redo. Almost 2 hours there wasted, another 2 hours of store and remake time. This was not the deal I thought it would be. I understand that these are students. I understand that it takes longer and may not be perfect. Maybe this ‘Master Student’ is really good at color. But, if you’re saying ‘Master’ anything, I’m assuming that there is at least a proficiency level that can handle a bun and a braid that may stay together with light movement. I doubt very seriously that anyone gets their hair done to go home and sit with absolutely no movement. I would also assume that they would be able to apply makeup that looks marginally better than a toddler who has found their mother’s makeup bag. I get this is a school, but if you’re graduating in accounting and are ‘Master’ level, I can expect that you are able to do some addition, yes? Same for hair and makeup.
I won’t even go into the rude, red headed student that I encountered outside of the building, who became very silent when I asked for her name after she was ballsy enough to make some very snipey comments.
Needless to say, we won’t be back. You should save yourself the time and money and go elsewhere. Trust me, you’ll spend the same amount fixing whatever goes wrong, but be out extra time and irritation.

I am giving this 3 stars because the facility and products are very nice but the stylist was not at all ready to be a «master» level stylist. I had a regular blowdry and my hair was damp at the end of the appt. Unfortunately, I left knowing I would have to redo it when I got home. I understand that these are students so I was very patient. My problem is that if these girls are about to graduate (as mine was) how are they going to get a job? It seems to me like they need more training and shouldn’t be considered the more expensive master level stylists.

I hadn’t been to the Aveda Institute since they relocated from the Lenox area, and I arrived early in anxious anticipation.
I was quickly brought back where Stacey got started on my (seemingly endless) foils for low-​lights and highlights. It took quite some time (apparently I have a lot of hair!), but I was patient, holding out hope that my brassiness would be gone before long. Stacey was pleasant, meticulous, thorough, and the end result was even better than I could have expected!
Stacey finishes her program this week, but I will definitely be seeking her out to find her for future haircare needs — she was FABULOUS!

I used to go to Aveda institute yearly to get new summer color, but not anymore due to significant price increases. Now their color services are over double what they were previously. Also, a shampoo, blow dry, and flat iron service is $ 50. The professional salon I go to charges $ 55 for the same service. What kind of sense does it make to pay a student only $ 5 less than a licensed professional hairstylist? I understand prices can fluctuate, but the increase is extreme. It’s now cheaper for me to go to my regular hairstylist to get highlights, which only used to be like $ 20 at Aveda.

Sadly, after several years, I must break up with you, Aveda Institute. While your scheduling is quick and flawless, and appointments run on time, the quality of services just ain’t what it used to be. Sigh.
Hair color: You (the customer) better time how long the product stays on your hair because the last THREE times I’ve been there, the stylist disappeared and I had to have someone find them. The last time she let color bleed into my face and did a poor job of removing it. That’s just careless.
Cuts: A simple straight bob of straight hair is a beginner skill that your «senior» students should know. Then, when the teacher comes to check, how about she ACTUALLY check? The past TWO cuts I walked out with very uneven hair– not even close. Very disappointing.
Aveda’s student quality has really dropped off in the past few years. That’s why I’m not coming back.

This was my first time here and I was pleasantly surprised!
I had Stacy, and she was great about checking in with me and making sure I liked everything she was doing. The instructor Liz was also great with checking in and checking Stacy’s work.
Stacy gave me the best blowout of my life! Seriously, it’s bouncy and wavy and gorgeous like I’ve always wanted! Now I just need her to come to my house and do that every morning, lol.
Yes, you are going to spend a while here, but I’d rather have them take their time and give me gorgeous results than just rush through it.
One note – they do NOT do balayage like I read in some of the reviews, so that was a bummer because I was really looking to change it up.
Overall, a great experience and I would definitely recommend trying them out!

I love coming here to get my hair cut. I’d rather save money and spend more time if that’s what it takes. Plus I have a pretty fun hair style so I love coming here because I’ll get this gathering of students for the undercut aspect of the visit, haha.
The first time I was here, I was with a near-​graduation student, so she was a bit more expensive, but I think I still only spent like $ 22 with the tip. If they are unsure about what they’re doing, like she was in the case of starting off my undercut, they will grab an instructor.
I let my hair grow out a bit and finally returned last week, where I was given a newer student. In this case I had to answer a bunch of questions for her about what I wanted even though it was just really a trim, and the instructor set up a bunch of information for her. She ended up shampooing my hair another two times and gave me a blow out. It was ridiculously awesome, and it took almost 2 hours, but goddamn my hair looked good for $ 12 and a tip after that.
You definitely do need to plan to be here at least 2 hours especially if you’re with a student who works upstairs and you’re going for something more than a really basic trim. After she finished up with my cut this second visit, the instructor came and checked it, making a few more snips for evenness, and I was happy with it for sure.
If you make appointments online, they send you emails with deals. I’m pretty sure you then have to call in order to make the appointment, since you have to book 2 – 3 days out online, and the deals are typically for the 2 – 3 day period after the email goes out. One around President’s Day was for a cut, color, makeup application, and a couple other things for $ 60. If you had the time, that was quite the deal. A lot more seem to just be money off cuts.
I’ll definitely keep coming here because I love the idea that I’m helping someone perfect their craft. Like I said, I’d rather spend $ 12 – 18 and an extra hour of my time over $ 60 because that’s just not for me.

I left loving my hair cut but being disappointed with my nails, as well as the amount of time it took to get in and out.
I was there for about four hours — and I only got a cut and my nails painted.
My nails began to chip right away (not sure if that is due to the polish or how it was applied). The polish didn’t fully coat my nails and you can see the paint strokes and my skin under the paint.