Avant Salon Spa

Decided to get my hair cut somewhere else that specializes in curly hair… My mistake… Why fix something that isn’t broken right. Well my girl Jasmine Stelly fixed it! Thank you! So grateful! Never trying someone else again!

If you have curly hair, Tracy is a magician! She really takes the time to listen and understand what you’re visualizing, while also making for great company in the process. You won’t be disappointed :)

I cannot say enough about Joe Edwards for his fantastic cuts — he is a master and he is also the funnest guy to be around.
Crystal does my color and she is a true master and fun to be around too. Joe and Crystal are the reason I come to Avant. I consider them both friends as well. It is expensive but I just to budget for it because it is so good.
Also, Rachel, one of the receptionists is awesome to work with.
I like that they have coffee, tea, etc.
And the shampoo’s in the «dark room» are an added bonus.
Love Avant!

Tracy has been my stylist since 2009 and she is fabulous! She always figures out what I want, even when I’m not sure what that is. The rest of the staff is also nice and attentive.

I love this salon. It is always so refreshing feeling and relaxing. They have this incredible Aveda Tea warm and ready for you to enjoy while you wait. I see Crystal for my color and she is SO detailed and patient, and I see Joe now for my cut and he always does a fantastic job and I wholeheartedly trust him. This place is as reliable in their quality of services as they are enjoyable in their atmosphere. A definite ¹⁰⁄₁₀.

Avant is the best. I LOVE Ron Fredericks. He is absolutely amazing. I honestly am blown away by his talent. I love him as a person and as a professional. Ron is beyond fantastic. He is so genuine. Ron is the coolest. Ron is the best of the best as a stylist.

Love this place! Tracy O’Hargan is excellent!
Always happy with my hair when she cuts it. Also love the products!

Tracy O’Hargan is a cutting genius and maybe a bit of a mind reader as well! I’ve gone to her for years and over all that time I’ve always left happy. This last time I had two random pictures on the cover of magazines I grabbed while sitting in the waiting area, which honestly didn’t look much like each other. She somehow deciphered from that and my sketchy description what I wanted but didn’t know how to request! It’s the perfect cut for my type of hair and for not washing for 3 – 4 days — I swear it gets better looking the longer I go and that’s not easy with my limp, straight hair! On top of a great cut, Tracy is full of positive energy and ideas and gives a fantastic head massage! I would highly recommend her, especially if you’re looking for a change/​update to your hair style.

Hands down Tim Patrick is the best! Not only does he give a superb haircut & style but he’s an awesome guy you just want to get to know more. I live in California now but will purposely let my hair grow wild just so he can tame it when I visit Austin again.

WOW! What an awesome Salon!
If you book an appt I totally recommend you ask for Brianna Guidry for your colorist and for Alfonso Hernandez for the stylist.
I called last Saturday, in the morning, after searching through several websites. The phone customer service person was so helpful. Figured out the perfect time for an appointment THAT SAME AFTERNOON! The appointment was for my great-​niece. 12 years old.
This salon, and their staff are experts. From the front desk welcoming, to each of the staff that helped our lil one, and the educated recommendations for products! All under the customer service direction and watchful expert eye of the General Manager Trinity!
Hell, for once in many years I wish I had hair so I could go back.
The prices were very reasonable. The experience was superb and exceeded all expectations!

I have been using Aveda hair products for over 14 years and salons that are authorized to use these products. So, when we moved back to Austin about 2 years ago, I tried Avant Salon on Pressler Street in the D.T. area.
I think going to a salon for the first time is more nerve wracking than even going to a dentist, so I was relieved when I was greeted at the front desk by exceptionally friendly staff, and, that the salon did not have carpet (which I’m allergic to along with many other things), and surfaces were non-​allergenic.
Then, I had my overall color and highlights done by Jourdan, who has the most endearing personality — I felt I’d known her for a long time and we bonded immediately. Most of all, Jourdan did an exceptional job on my overall color and partial highlights, and then finished with a toner to cool down the yellow that typically shows up in my hair after about 5 to 6 weeks of being styled, and out in the Austin sun. The final effect was wonderful and looked so natural. I also want to add that Jourdan took special care to clean her styling chair as I’m allergic to both dust and hair! I have had some excellent colorists in the past as I have had my hair professionally done since I was in my early 20s, but I can easily say that Jourdan fits at the top of that long list. She’s a LOVELY person — both inside and out, and I think the world of her!
Since that initial visit almost 2 years ago, with Jourdan doing my color, highlights, eyebrow color, etc.,; I am at complete ease with her work and the outcome. I can go in and we mutually discuss what needs to be done in the way of color and then, I can text, check my e-​mail, or just relax and zone out because I can always count on my color turning out great (whether we decide to slightly lighten or darken the overall color and whether we do full highlights or partial). It is worth every cent to always know my color will look great (and ‘natural’) and, I never need to worry about how my hair will turn out!
Next, for cut & styling, I typically have this done by Alfonso, who, like Jourdan, has the most caring and easy going personality, and REALLY puts all his focus into creating the perfect cut for my hair (which is naturally fine with a slight wave) and, a super style. Alfonso also understands my allergen and chemical sensitivities and uses just the minimum amount of styling products and hair spray to give me a lovely style that will hold throughout the day (and even the next day if I don’t work out or get it wet in the shower). Again, Alfonso and I briefly discuss what amount of length to take off; sometimes just a slight trim of 1/​8″ to ¼″ and other times, an inch or so if the ends have become too dry or frazzled. Once we determine the type of cut and if any style changes are wanted, I relax and leave it to Alfonso to create the perfect cut and style for me. No worries — ever!
On occasion, when Jordan is booked and I need to get in quickly, then Stacy also does an outstanding job with my color and if Alfonso is booked, the John does my cut/​style with great care.
Avant is somewhat costly — but no more than any of the top hair salons and, I get those wonderful (non-​irritating) Aveda products, and a salon full of awesome, talented, and warm hearted people who make me feel like the salon is my 2^nd home!
++ PS: Jourdan has also come to my home to do my hair and make-​up for a family wedding. She did an amazing job on both my more elegant style, and, my make-​up (using most of my non-​allergenic cosmetics). I received LOTS of compliments at the wedding and best of all, was not harried or stressed when all I had to do was get dressed and go (my husband loved this part because that meant we were ‘on time’ ;-)!).
From my experience over the years with quality hair salons and Aveda products, I don’t think anyone could go wrong in choosing Avant Garde Salon on Pressler Street, here in the Austin D.T. area! =)

I’ve been getting my hair cut and styled by Tim Patrick for over 3 years now, and I’ve never been disappointed. Always very kind and his cuts are really a step above the rest. I don’t live in Austin anymore and I still drive in to have him cut my hair. Definitely worth the trip every time!

Amanda at the downtown location is FABULOUS! She always does a great job cutting my hair and she’s so much fun to be around! Front desk staff are also super nice and very helpful. I enjoy the atmosphere at Avant.

Love love love my new haircut by Tim Patrick! He really listened to me and gave me the exact cut I had in mind!

Tim Patrick is my favorite hairdresser ever. I followed him when he moved to Avant several months ago. I was so relieved that I could find him!
In addition to giving great haircuts, he is a really nice guy and interesting to talk to. I always look forward to my appointments with him!
Highly recommended! I have short hair which is now silver.

Tim Patrick is phenomenal. I have been going to him for years (he was previously at another salon). When I found out he’d left his other salon I hounded him until I found him. He’s the only one I can trust with my baby fine, frazzled hair. My mom is my best/​most honest critic and she says, «your hair has never looked better.» And now she goes to him :)
He’s also super sweet and personable — an all around great guy.

Tim Patrick listened; explained his concept. A precision cut later, he took my short, fine, gray hair (ugh) and produced an all-​weather (let the wind blow where it may) style that’s flattering, feminine and flirty.
Had the cut five days ago and three strangers have stopped me to ask who cuts my hair.
Tim’s shampoo massage was so refreshing!
Avant Salon is attached to a parking garage and it’s free of charge.

I followed my stylist Amanda to the downtown location because there’s no one else I trust to manage my irregularly wavy-​curly, doesn’t-know-what-it-wants-to-do hair. Amanda is extremely talented and knowledgable, but almost more important is that she’s a great listener and will take whatever time is needed to make sure you’re happy. She’s also a lot of fun to talk to. I’ve been seeing Amanda for 5 years now and I can honestly say I’ve never had a better haircut — even at some of the top salons in NY, where I’m from.
After trying a few colorists with mixed results, I’ve been delighted to discover Araceli. In a few sessions so far, she has fixed the too-​warm base color I was unhappy with, adding strategic highlights and a glaze to neutralize it, while covering stray grays without dousing my entire head in unnecessary color.
I’ve found everyone at Pressler to be friendly and helpful, and I think this particular salon is a happy, relaxed place with talented people who can take you anywhere on the spectrum of classic to edgy.

It’s pretty great when you can find a stylist who gets you. But what’s even more exciting is when you can find a stylist who gets your hair. And my hair, with all its weird cowlicks and thinning-​ness and desire to be frizzy instead of sleek and straight like I want it to be, desperately needs somebody who gets it.
Which is why I’m such a huge fan of Tim Patrick — he has an amazing talent for making my hair, with all its quirks, look its very best. He has figured out how to do my bangs *just* the way I like them, making them nearly effortless for me — something that eluded me for years until Tim came along. His cuts are consistent and grow out beautifully. He is meticulous and thoughtful and also fun to chat with while you’re in his chair. I simply could not be happier to have found him.
And you know, I think in some weird way, Tim’s understanding of my hair somehow translates to an understanding of me — he doesn’t try to make my hair too hip or too young or too edgy (though he most certainly has the talent to do any of these things) because he knows that it just wouldn’t be ME. He makes me look good every time without letting my style get too static or in a rut and without pushing me to do something wild because he’s bored. I have no doubt that if I went to Tim one day and said, «Change this up,» he’d find some other fun new look for me, but I also appreciate that he doesn’t constantly try to force me into something different, either. Because in an ever-​changing world, sometimes, you just need your hair to be consistent.
Thanks, Tim. You have many fans out here and we are all glad you have found a wonderful new home at Avant.

Tracy is amazing! She definitely KNOWS hair– she’s taken me from bobs to growing it out, straight to wavy and everywhere in between. She’s been cutting my hair for about 8 years now and my hair always looks amazing when she’s done! She always takes the time at the beginning to figure out exactly what I’m looking to accomplish before she starts, which I really appreciate.
Plus, her positive energy is contagious!