Aveda Institute New York

I read all the great reviews, and decided to save a few bucks and try a student cut. The girl I got was very sweet, I asked her how long she had been cutting hair, and she said 3 months, which worried me.... She totally did not know how to handle the scissors and comb. She kept parting and clipping my hair over and over, before she actually cut anything - and when she did, she cut her fingers - The she had to stop and put a band-aid on. The good thing is she did not cut much hair off (half an inch tops), but left me with a sort of Q-tip / mushroom shaped hairdo. I wanted a shorter cut anyway, so I am getting a real haircut at my usual - Geoff Merritt Salon - which is excellent for curly hair. Pros: its cheap Cons: had to get my hair re-cut more

I wasn't sure what to expect going in but this was a great experience. I had an appointment so I maybe waited 5 minutes tops. I got a great haircut, great customer service, and it was only $20! I will def be back for my next hair cut :) more

If you want a great facial or an excellent and a very cheap haircut/style change, then you must visit the Aveda Institute NY at 233 Spring Street. You may have to wait to get an appointment and expect to spend some time being ""styled"", but it is so worth it!!!\r The staff and students are very friendly and professional, and they really listen to you, unlike a lot of stylists who are ""experienced"". The products that are used are the best, and I highly recommend getting some if you like the look and feel of your hair afterwards. Pros: Very affordable, holistic, relaxing Cons: Prepare to invest some additional time getting beautiful more

The haircuts are generally good, but the staff at the front desk is incredibly rude. And they take forever. With so many salon schools and salon training nights in NYC, this one is definitely not worth it! more

overall, its such a great deal. its a nice place, nice setup. you don't know exactly who you're going to get but all haircuts have been good or very good to great - some are better than others. I think I ususally pay around $18. more

i went to the Institute for a facial and a haircut. The facial, as always was fabulous... the haircut was the first I'd gotten there, so I was a little nervous (especially after reading the reviews here!). My previous haircut had been a good one, so I just asked for a trim, nothing drastic - although it took a while (about two hours) and was a little nerveracking at first, I am really happy with my cut.\r \r Rest assured, they call an instructor over before and after the cut, so they know whether you got what you asked for... and the instructor will snip a little here and there if he/she feels necessary, so you're not walking away with uneven hair or something. \r \r For the less than nice reviews on here -- Unless you're a student, on a student budget, and can take risks with your hair, I don't know why you'd risk coloring and/or cutting their hair here.. they are students. and it's a very cosmo-school-like atmosphere, so it's not like you'd forget that and expect something you would from a high end salon. For the less brave who just need a quick non-drastic cut, this place is great. Pros: it comes with the aveda brand name, very friendly staff, relaxing atmosphere Cons: not for drastic haircuts/coloring, takes a long time more

I have been coming to the Aveda student salon for about a year now. I am always pleased with the results of my haircuts. Some times I feel slightly more satisfied with how things turn out, mainly based on the skill of the student. I have found that mostly all of the students are precise but some are more tentative than others to take risks. The best cuts end up coming from the student who is confident with her/his shears. I received an awesome cut last week from a woman named Allie. She didn?t spend a lot of time with small talk (I personally like that. I tend to like to relax in quiet when I?m getting my hair cut and styled) and she seemed to be able to visualize the cut before she did it. I think that that is real skill. She made my hair look healthier and gave it a real gorgeous shape and styling. I?m thrilled with how my hair looks. Thank you Allie!\r \r The only bad part about coming here is that you probably won?t get the same stylist again. But, for a twenty dollar cut and blowdry, I can?t really complain. It?s a real steal. For the service, the products used and the care taken, this cut is worth several twenties more! Pros: Supervised students are concerned with client happiness. Cons: Time consuming. more

I have been going to the Aveda Institute for the past 3 years and it has been extremely consistent. I have only had one student that I really disliked - it was only for her tacky personality and lack of couth - my coloring turned out fine.\r \r You really can't beat a color and cut for less than $60 - I have never had them lighten my hair (don't think I ever will), but if you need basic, no frills work done you are safe here.\r \r The instructors are weird sometimes - they make you feel as though you've done something wrong. Whatever - go anyway. Pros: cheap, fast, consistent Cons: glaring eyes of instructors more

I love this place! I am here as often as I can, and have never had a poor service. I love their 90 minute facials, waxing, and have always gotten a great haircut! more

Worst experience of my life. The colorist turned my light brown hair white by stripping all of the color with an enlightener making me look like a clown and offering nothing but attitude when I didn't like it (which is laughable b/c I looked so ridiculous). Management didn't care either. This colorist had been through the whole program and was in her last week of training. I still had to pay for the service and it has taken me 6 months and a thousand dollars going to the top colorists in NYC trying to get this fixed. Do yourself a favor and don't have a student destroy your hair. Cons: They will ruin your hair more

I will never Never, Never, NEVER get my hair cut and styled again by these people. I am a model and had my hair styled before a NYC event. IT was the worst experiance ever. I'd rather go get mall hair then go here again. They are inept!!!! \r \r Don't go here unless you want dead, lifeless, dry hair. They ruined my hair. It was baked and frizzed.\r \r NEVER AGAIN! \r \r Not worth the name they are supposed to represent.\r Pros: cheap and it was clean. Cons: ruined hair and now have to go for treatments to get it back to normal. more

As a student at Aveda Institute but also somebody who values and loves a good cut/color/style at a salon i would like to give everyone who attends Aveda a round or applause...I believe that everyone who enters the cosmo program at Aveda has a passion and a drive to excel in their craft....everyone who signs a contract knows that we, as Aveda students, we must maintain a professional look, demeanor, and attitude towards learning and striving for the best for both ourselves and our clients. Work IT! \r <3 miss aveda more

I just got an amazing cut and highlights for a 3rd of what I paid the last time I went to a salon! I'm very happy with the results. As other members mentioned in the reviews, please keep in mind these people are students and you will need to come in with patience an a clear idea/pictures of what you want. The whole process will took longer than my last salon visit but I'm very happy with the results. Pros: great value on haircut and color, easy access to subway, friendly staff, no pressure to buy products Cons: Students not professionals, took more time than a professional salon more

After my third experience at Aveda Institute, I will not be returning. I wasn't overly thrilled with my first cut & highlights; I was distinctly disappointed with my second. This third & final trip confirmed for me that I will NEVER return to Aveda, and will discourage others from trying it. The student stylist was daft and did not listen to my very clear description of what I wanted, and her instructor was disinterested in ensuring that my requests were met. (I asked for a cut and partial highlights - I wanted to look as though I'd been out in the sun, with sun streaks - natural, but lighter). My hair was literally darker when I left than when I'd arrived. I gave it a chance ... but when I returned to my office, it was clear the color had been darkened, not lightened, and I didn't have any streaks to mimic sun exposure. I called to request an instructor fix it; I was placed on the phone w/ the instructor who worked with me that day, and he was EXTREMELY RUDE; he even disputed what I had requested and essentially told me it was my fault that I didn't get what I'd requested. I informed him I would not be returning. Spend a little more and get what you ACTUALLY want; it's not a bargain if you're not satisfied - and there is never an excuse to be rude to a polite but unsatisfied customer. Pros: inexpensive Cons: unskilled, unknowledgeable, rude & disinterested staff. Poorly managed. more

I am stunned by some of the bad posts. I mean you had to have realized going in that you were getting your hair cut and colored by a student. The tradeoff was a lower cost. More often than not you get the service you wanted, but there is a risk involved. Have had my hair cut here 3 times since last summer. Have had great cuts. Two of the guys were fantastic, and I'm sure are working full time somewhere by now. The third girl was newer and slower and really wanted to go take a break with her girlfriend. However, her cut was fine if slow. \r I go and get a nice haircut and than give a big tip to the kids for their enthusiasm. By the way my second time there I watched what looked like a wedding party getting their hair done and create havoc. If your going to expect a high-level of service and pampering to your every wish and whim I suggest a real full service salon. Manhattan is full of them. more

This is the second time I have gone for a student haircut, first time was Carsten Institute in Union Square. Both haircuts were good. At the Spring St. location I called the day before and there had been a cancellation. My stylist, Leila, was prompt, professional and very knowledgeable. We talked for a while about how much I wanted taken off, layers etc.. She asked me how I wore my hair regularly and cared for it. I ended up with a trim and layers - my hair is so much healthier now! Because I had complained that my hair was a little dried out, she also recommended a conditioner for me that added moisture (during the winter) which is working really well. She was honest and did not try to sell me every Aveda product in the store. If you've never been to the Aveda School before, I would make sure that you are getting a student who is closest to graduation, as they've logged the most amount of hours in the salon. Also, make sure you are happy with the discussion you have and that no scissors touch your hair until your ok with what's going to be done (always trust your instincts). Cuts are $20 but even if you pay with a credit card, tips are in cash (which would've been good to know in advance; there is an ATM around the corner). All in all, a great experience! They also have a full store of products so if you like anything your stylist uses you can buy it when you're checking out. Pros: great price/service Cons: the salon is not fancy and crowded at times more

I 've got very thick, very long, very curly hair not to mention very little time for it. This past visit to Aveda's student institute was my 4th in over two years, and my hair (from doing my own CVS sale-priced box-jobs for the last year) was a bleached-out, multi-colored nightmare. \r \r When I sat down with my student -- a charming, confident and stoic gal by the name of Sarabel, who strangely (or appropriately) enough sports a completely shaved head -- I confessed to her the sale boxes I'd been using for roots touch-ups. I told her: the bleach blonde thing, while fun at 30 and at 33, was, at 35, ultimately washing me out and making me look tired. She pulled my hair around my shoulders and face and said, ""You have fabulous hair, but I couldn't agree with you more.""\r \r Only a self-sacraficing, ego-riddled or completely ignorant stylist would attempt going anywhere near my head solo -- and as most are at least 2 of these things, I usually walk out of most places with a wet head. \r \r However, Sarabel, even before pulling an instructor to her station, pulled another student, Megan, a sweet peach-faced girl from the south (and an aspiring color expert) to our station for a learning consensus and an extra set of hands. \r \r As Sarabel spouted out what sounded like an authoritive, scientific round of color-based mathematical formulations in Swahili to her instructor, Megan mixed and mixed and mixed and came back balancing at least six different bowls in her arms. The instructor warned Megan of the time and complexity involved, yet she insisted on staying. \r \r Needless to say, I was in and out of there colored, cut and blown out straight (tea-fetching inclusive) in less than 3 hours. Record time for my experience at Aveda. I have a beautiful, beautiful color and a nice (if not flattering cut) that has been garnering compliments and turning many a head.\r \r Thanks, girls! more

I had a great experience there, I loved the students and the instructors were very helpful. The service was above average because the stylists are being graded and they have people to impress. I would definitely recommend trying it but if you are really picky or have a big issue don't be cheap and complain a lot, they are learning don't make it harder on them. more

I attended Aveda Institute last year as a student. I currently am working at a SALON in Soho. I wanted to post my opinion about some of the nightmare hair posts. What people need to remember is that you are recieving services from STUDENTS!! UNLICENSED STUDENTS!!! Every student does their best to acchieve what you want, but we are learning. We work with our instructors and you to try to get the results you want. Sometimes...people are unsatisfied. There are also people who come in with unrealistic requests. Don't expect to pay $60 bucks for a half head of highlights and walk out looking like you just got your hair done at Fakkai!! When I was a student I only had maybe 2 clients who were unsatisfied after a service. If you have a serious hair problem or issue...dont be cheap. GO to a REAL professional and not a student! They always do their best for the guest. I would say 9 out of 10 times people are very pleased and return for haircut and color services at the Institute. If someone did leave unhappy they would try to fix the problem as soon as possible. I believe they have great service all around, and the spa and facials are heavenly. The only place you can recieve a relaxing facial for a great great price!!! more

I went to Aveda Institute for brown highlights on my black hair and after almost three walked out with nothing but a blowout. I told the stylist, Irene, I wanted it to be subtle and instead I got nonexistent. After picking out the shade of brown I wanted she put about 36 pieces of foil in my hair-conferring with her instructor all along the way-and when she washed it out my hair looked exactly the same as it had when I came in-in what language does subtle translate to invisible? She blow-dried it afterwards and offered to schedule me for a 'redo' but why on earth would I trust these hacks with my hair again? Next time I might end up on the other end of the spectrum with my hair burned off. There was no difference in my hair but my wallet was 40 bucks lighter and my life was three hours shorter-soo not worth it. more