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My experience began really well- I had an enjoyable facial that left me feeling really clean and relaxed. My haircut, however, would end in disaster. My stylist, Laura, was condescending and rude. After I asked to have about 3 inches trimmed with tapering around my face, she said that I would need more than that cut. She proceeded to cut about 8 inches off without even telling me!! I had no idea what she was doing, she didn't consult me about the length at all. After she cut all of my hair off to one length, she dried it for 25 minutes and then walked me to the front without saying a word. She didn't offer give me a haircut more fitting for the length that she had cut it and she left little ""tails""- small bits of longer hair all around. A total nightmare. I got a better cut at TGF- sad, but true Pros: Great facials Cons: I left 8 inches of hair there! more

My experience today was unbelievable. I truly enjoyed every minute of it. Amanda was so knowledgeable and so kind. She did an incredible job on my highlights and I felt so special. Rick was awesome. So personable and he did a fabulous job on my hair. I was so pleased with both and will definitely be back. I went to your online site and noticed wonderful references on both Amanda and RIck. I went with that and am so thrilled!!!!!!!!!!! I will recommend them and can't wait to see this team in a month. Debbie D. Austin, TX more

I loved the haircut I already had from Vain but needed a trim to clean things up since my regular girl was out of town. I made an appointment at Avant and when I arrived they did not have me on the calendar. They were not apologetic or accommodating, but after some pleading, I was squeezed in an hour or so later with another stylist (Melissa, if I remember correctly). The stylist was unprofessional from the very beginning, would not stop chewing her gum with her mouth open right in my ear as she hacked off my hair. She screamed across the salon to another stylist throughout the cut to turn the music up louder. At one point, she stopped cutting my hair to walk over to the radio herself and didn?t say anything. My hair is stick straight and she used thinning shears the entire time. You could see all the blunt chunks and one layer half way up the length of my hair. It looked like when I tried to cut my Barbie?s hair when I was a kid. I explained to her it was too harsh and choppy; she said that she has been doing hair for 10 yrs. and that she didn?t know what I was talking about. \r I reluctantly paid and left the salon to inspect the mess on my head. I was in my car when I saw that she could not even trim my straight-across bangs right. I literally just needed a quarter of an inch taken off the length of my bangs, but she failed to section off all of the hairs so I had stray strands that were longer than the rest of my bangs. I hadn?t even left the lot so I went back up and spoke to the receptionist about my bangs and she went to talk with Melissa. Melissa had already taken her next appointment and refused to see me. She thought it would be better for me to get my bangs repaired by someone else. After some frustrated, firm words with the receptionist I had to wait 20min or so for another stylist to come back from lunch. I ended up with Daisy who trimmed the rest of my bangs. I scheduled with Angelia from Wet salon to fix the rest of my hair. Pros: I can't say anthing good about this place. Cons: It was all very, very BAD. more

I am the type of person who enjoys walking into a salon and telling any stylist the basic changes I want (i.e. short, growing it out, highlights, single color process, etc.) but after a disaster with a new stylist in New York, I've become a little more detailed about my hair preferences. I started seeing Kim who was referred to me through a friend and I am so happy to have found a stylist that understands me again! I give her basics (short, darker, lighter, layers, no layers) and tell her other contributing information (I often air-dry my hair and when it's short it's poufy) and she goes from there. I've avoided going for any bobs lately because my hair gets poufy but we talked it over and I ended up with one of the best haircuts ever! Even after the cut had essentially grown out, I continued to get compliments. All of the stylists I encountered at Avant were friendly and personable. The salon has the appearance of a more snooty environment, but everyone there is fun and down-to-earth (as much as stylists can be). I definitely recommend this salon....especially Kim! My boyfriend just gave me a gift certificate for the Avant Spa. Reading the great reviews, and based on my experience with Kim the bar has been set rather high. Pros: Great customer service, great energy, great cut, great products (AVEDA) Cons: Avant Spa is North (i live in San Marcus), good news I was told Avant Spa SouthPark is opening more

Ric did an awesome job helping me choose a cut that really works with my lifestyle. I'll definitely be coming back, and have told many of my friends and family how happy I am that I went to Avant. more

I found Avant while searching the web for a new salon to get a haircut. Between the mixed reviews and high prices I was very skeptical, but I felt like treating myself and thought I would give it a try. After all it is just hair. It will grow back, right? \r \r When I walked in two very friendly ladies at the front desk greeted me. They offered me some complimentary beverages and a comfy place to sit while I waited for my stylist Laura. After a very short wait, Laura took me back for my consultation. She was very patient and listened to everything concern and question about my haircut. She gave me a great style recommendation that best suited my needs. \r \r I was then escorted back to a Zen-like room where I received a very relaxing shampoo and the most amazing scalp rub ever. I almost fell asleep in the chair, but it was time to go get my haircut. \r \r Laura was very polite and conversational while I was getting my haircut. After the haircut and style I was very impressed with my new look and my new salon. \r \r For a person who isn?t comfortable paying 40 or more for a simple haircut I have been converted. I will be back to Advant and to visit Laura as the years come. It wasn?t just a haircut it was an experience. Pros: Great service, Friendly staff, more than just a haircut Cons: Haven't found one yet more

I have been getting my hair done at Avant for a few years and like it just fine. Amanda is my stylist and she is friendly and does a nice job. I have a very simple hairstyle, though, so I can't speak for someone who wants a lot of styling done. In fact, the best thing about Amanda is that she listens to what I want. Many stylists try to push you into a certain style. Amanda will state her opinion, but will also listen and give you the final word, with a positive attitude. She found a nice way to frame my face and layer my hair without losing the simplicity or making it a bother for me to style every day.\r \r The first time I went there I visited a different stylist to see about getting a perm. That stylist tried to talk me into highlights, which I declined, and then gave me a perm that literally did not change my hair at all. (I think my hair is unpermable, because the same thing later happened at another salon.) I called the management at Avant a few days after the perm, when it was obvious I had gotten no results, and asked for a refund. The manager listened to what I said, was respectful and gave me a prompt refund with no hassle. Later I was referred to Amanda for cuts and styling.\r \r You can trust this salon with your business. Pros: Good customer service and styling Cons: A bit expensive more

I made a big mistake... ""cheated"" on my regular hairstylist thinking that ""the grass was greener somewhere else"". What a terrible mistake! I live in north Austin, therefore ended going to Avant Salon looking for a new spa experience. Amanda was recommended by the person on the phone as a great stylist. more

This is well worth your money. This was the best brow wax I have ever had. The gal spent about a half hour just on my brows. She waxed, plucked, and trimmed forever. I felt so pampered and she was very attentive to my wishes. It was wonderful...Very recommended! Pros: Skilled staff-very nice atmosphere back in the spa Cons: The atmospher in the salon was a bit noisy...A little overwhelming for an aveda salon. more

I have been a regular customer at Avant since the days of one salon on Guadalupe in the early 90's. My daughter was in kindergarten then and I would bring her with me and the stylists would give her a ""workstation"" and brushes and combs so she could pretend to be a fabulous stylist; and they'd take her next door to Amy's Ice Cream when it was still in the Guadalupe building. My daughter is now 25 and since those days, I've followed Teresa to the north Austin location who has cut, curled, and colored my hair for all these many years. She is a wonderful, hilarious, talented, kind stylist and colorist who genuinely cares about her customers. I can't imagine going anywhere but Avant. The people who work at this salon are special and it is always a wonderful treat to spend a morning or an afternoon with people who are warm and friendly, and of course, highly skilled and professional. I recommend Avant to everyone I know.\r Pros: Teresa and overall experience more

I just want to tell you that you are very lucky to have Amanda Hasty working for you. I have been coloring my hair for years at many different salons in many different states and I have never found anyone as knowledgeable as Mandy. She not only knows her stuff, she is a lot of fun and makes the client feel special. This visit was my second with her and I live in Tennessee. I will be coming to her again this summer. If I could get a special airline fare more often I would never let anyone else touch my hair, she is that good! Thank you for employing Mandy. Donna Kelley Belvidere, Tennessee Pros: staff especially Mandy Hasty Cons: too far away from Tennessee! more

This place is the best. It's pampering all around since the very moment you enter into it. I have been going with Jenn Marie and Ashley for haircut and highlights since 2003. They are great. I have done 3 ""make-overs"" there with their suggestions. I trust them. People are always complementing me on my hair. Even strangers !! It's awesome ! The ambiance is modern and elegant. I have to go there every month and a half. I cannot go anywhere else. more

I love love this place, probably one of Avant's biggest fan! I've been a very very satisfied/returning customer for over 5 years. I'm Asian and I have really thick dark hair (not coarse), just really thick and straight. I've been seeing Shanna for over the 5 years now and she knows what she's doing. She gets my hair and she gets me. I always have an idea of what I want, but Shanna always refines it, giving me a haircut that makes my friend's envious all the time. I also have to mention that I currently live in LA, but always schedule to see Shanna for a cut whenever I'm in town, because she's so talented. I also have to mention when Shanna was sick and I was in town and desperately needed a hair cutt. I saw Emma and she was fantastic as well. She fixed my terrible haircut that I had gotten in LA.\r \r I have to say a key attribute to the stylists at Avant is that they listen to your needs/wants in a hair cut- they don't dismiss your opinions.\r \r The talented stylists, the amazing/super nice and knowledgable front desk staff and fanstastic ambience is why I keep coming to Avant. You won't feel out of place. It's a down to earth place where there's just enough energy and hipness but yet tranquil enough to feel like a spa/salon. Pros: friendly and professional staff, great price for an amazing hair cut, the ambience makes you feel casual chic Cons: haven't had any issues more

I can't believe Ive never gone to your salon since I moved here from Dallas! I've been looking for 4 yrs to find a place I always want to go back to, and now I have. The service was excellent! I haven't cut my hair short for 4 yrs now because I've always been scared that I would be disappointed, but my stylist did a great job, and I get compliments all the time :) Both services I got from your salon has been great.\r I hope your services stay the same. Thank you! more

Love what Amanda Hasty has done for my color. Everyone is super friendly and concerned with my results. Haircuts or color are always done right.\r Pros: Staff is great Cons: no complaints! more

I have been going to the downtown location of Avant for awhile now. I just recently got married and Mandy, who does my highlights, did my updo for the wedding. It could have possibly been my favorite thing about my entire ""outfit."" I absolutely LOVED it. And of course she always does a great job on my color. I would not go anywhere else, or to anyone else. more

I have been extremely happy with Avant and their hair coloring. I started with Ashley at the Gateway Avant in Austin, Tx and transferred to Emily at the downtown Austin location. Emily has been a great source for offering me a variety of options but still remaining true to my original option. She is an excellent stylist and have always received compliments on how wonderful my hair looks. I'm constantly telling people about Avant. Although it can be pricey at times, you pay for what you get and I believe it is more than worth it. more

Its funny I just so happened to go on to the site to get the dwontown number and saw this last review about ""the girl with the dreadlocks"". Just wanted to say a couple things real quick. Thats my girl and she has been doing my color for about two or three years. I have followed her from north Austin to downtown and will follow her back North when she goes. The salon has not once ever made me wait more than 15 minutes to get my hair done, and as far as not worrying about my hair...lol! Girl drives me nuts with her worrying. Im a red head thats platinum blonde. Im always trying to get her to push the limit with my hair. She sweetly refuses, even when I argue with her. I dont know what happened with this other person, and no disrespect to her, but I just want everyone to know that she DOES care very much and i love her to death! You go momma see you this week! Pros: great atmosphere, over concern for my hair and its health, great staff, great products! Cons: the parking is terrible more

Today was my first time at avant and I loved it. I am originally from Chicago, but I have lived in Austin for 3 years. I have never been to a salon here and now I wish I would have started years ago. David probably gave me the best haircut I have ever had, and I love how Emily colored my hair! I really recommend this salon, it was a great experience. more

I have been a faithful Avant customer for the past 8 years and will not be going back. Service has been great until now. I have made 4 appointments between August 2007 and April 2008. Three of the four appointments have been miss-scheduled or not scheduled at all (even appointments I've made in person!!). The first 2 times I rescheduled, but the third time I said no. I will not be going back to Avant. Staff was unapologetic and rude. I do not recommend Avant. more