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I have gone to Avant downtown for over 6 years with nothing but great experiences. I have recently moved to the Domain, so I decided to try a new Avant hairdresser at the Gateway salon (closer to my new home) I was scheduled with Angelica. It was absolutley the worst haircut I have had in my life. She talked on and on about her personal life and little about my hair. After my experiences with Avant I was shocked that someone so unprofessional and untalented could work for such an excellent salon. In writting this review I saw from another review that Angelica is no longer with Avant. This is great news. As I sat in Angelicas chair I witnessed beautiful hair and happy customers being done by talented stylist (though i was not one of the lucky ones). I gave Avant 5 stars based on my years of experiences. I will return to Avant and follow up with a new review in 6 weeks. Pros: Angelica is gone Cons: NA more

I really liked my experience at Avant. (north, by Whole Foods). I had a haircut and a facial.\r I will recommend it to my friends for sure. Pros: Full service salon and spa more

I went in to get a trim with Rick. I am over 8 months pregnant, so I guess you could say my face is a little puffy. I told him I didn't want my chin length hair to be much shorter. I just wanted a trim. He said he completely understood, that he ""had been cutting hair for a long time"" and knew he shouldn't take much of the length off. Well, I walked out of there looking like a fat Dorothy Hammill. He cut the front shorter than the back and gave me heavy bangs!!!!!!!!!!! I have never had to go somewhere to get a haircut ""fixed"" until this experience with Rick. You know it is bad when friends are recommending places to go to get your haircut fixed. I never thought I would have short hair or heavy bangs through the last few weeks of my pregnancy. Pros: products smell good Cons: Rick more

I do not normally write editorials, however after the dissapointing experiences I have had at salons over the last two years, it was great to visit Avant. I visited Avant with more then a little fear. Yes, they have all these awards but I had been to ""award winning salons"" much to my dissapointment. I also worried that with Avants great reputation would come a pretentious attitude..... I was very pleasently surprised. \r \r The minute I walked into the Avant Garde Spa and Salon I was greeted by friendly face and welcome. Offered a beverage and informed that my stylist would be with me shortly. Within 5 minutes Jay introduced herself (another smiling happy face). Jay took me back to her chair where I unloaded my awful previous salon experiences. She took time, listened to my desires shared her portfolio .... after a great consultation that left me feeling relaxed that she cared. Jay then proceeded to give me the best shampoo I had ever had. I have never been to an Aveda salon, so I guess tis is part of the Aveda signature. I just know It was GREAT! \r \r Jay proceeded to give me what has turned out to be my most favorite haircut. During our visit I discovered that Jay (like all Avant stylist) had graduated from Avants Advanced training program. All Avant stylist specialize in either cut or color. More good news, my teenage daughters can experience Avants new talent stylists during their advaced training... only $30 for a HC. Pros: Great location and friendly well trained staff more

I wrote the previous review about my cut.....well the highlights are beautiful too! Emily at the downtown avant did my blonde highlights and they look great! I went Urban Betty to get the done and I asked for Reese Witherspoon blonde. I came out with stripes of blonde and dark brown in my hair, inconsistency and spotting. Emily fixed and it is exactly what I want. I love it! I get excited everytime I look at it! I saw some of the other work done by some of the other stylist and they look fabulous too. You can't go wrong with any of the people there. Pros: Beautiful highlights and I love their products! Cons: No issues! more

I have only been here once, and it was to correct someone else's mistake at another salon. Very fun atmosphere, they knew exactly what I wanted, and explained the processes to me. I would definitely go back. more

I have been traveling the world and have had the opportunity to go to some exceptional salons in Tokyo, London, New York, and Paris. I was a little worried about finding a hairdresser in Austin. I was excited to see that Avant was still around (it seems salons come and go), still winning awards, still hip yet not pretentious, and my stylist from 10 years ago, Daisy was still there. I went in for my visit last week and had a great experience. Daisys assistant Lacy gave me a great shampoo and massage (i love those Aveda scents), Daisy was a joy to visit not to mention a great haircut, then as I was checking out Jackie, Avants manager for as long as I can remember welcomed me back home. It left me feeling so special. Its great to be back in Austin. Pros: Great energy, experienced staff more

I went in to Avant's Gateway location for the first time this month. It was recommended by many of my co-workers. They would come back from getting their hair done, each looking fabulous. All of them had pretty big changes to their hair too( let me tell you, they needed it !!!) I had been thinking of a big change myself, I had grown tired of my blonde highlights and one length flat hair. So I got courageous and went in for a cut and color makeover. I was recommended to Vanessa for color by my co-workers. She really did an incredible job. We talked about everything from hair colors that I gravitate towards, make-up colors, to my hobbies(just to make sure I didn't swim or spend a lot of time in the sun, so the color wouldn't fade) She even asked how often I wanted to have my color done, WOW no one has ever given me that choice! We decided on an auburn brown base color with toffee color highlights. It looked AWESOME! It really compliments my skin tone. Then I went to Melissa for the cut. She spoke to me about my hair in realistic terms (not in confusing phrases like bi-angle layers on a graduated inverted bob, I don't know what all that means! ) We decided on longer choppier layers to start with and slowly progress with each haircut from there. That was very comforting that she didn't just wack my hair off, like I've had done in the past( just because your looking for change doesn't mean you should be scalped!! )The cut was modern enough without being tragically hip, exactly what I was looking for. And I left with some great new products for my great new hair. The staff at Avant met and exceeded my expectations. I have received tons of compliments. I am a radio and television affiliate. I would recommend this salon to all on and off the air !!! Pros: Close parking, great staff, interesting and relaxing enviroment Cons: none here! more

My first experience was wonderful and relaxing at Avant. Everything about the salon was great from waiting for the stylist, the hair wash, and most important the time that my stylist spent with me showing me how to work with my new cut. It was a great experience and highly recommended. more

Avant is a great salon, with great stylists and great atmopshere....but.....my stylist (Rudolph) and colorist (Kari) just left Avant! If anyone knows if they are still working let us know!! more

This review is only for people who are from New York or LA and are unused to Austin style. Don't mean to be a wet blanket but I went after reading 5 star reviews here. This is not the place to go if you want subtle, polished, sophisticated hair color. They tend to overcolor and overhighlight - it's almost as if there is this sentiment that ""if you pay for it, it must CLEARLY show'. You must be very very careful and communicate, otherwise you will leave weeping. Pros: friendly, big spacious salon, nice bathrooms Cons: not very well trained apprentices more

Getting a haircut at the Colorado street location of Avant salon was a great experience. The location had that blend of upscale professionalism mixed with a staff who seemed to actually LIKE people. It's wonderful to get a relaxing spa experience with the massage, the relaxing scents, and the beautiful interior, but having staff members who are giving fake smiles, and running practiced lines on you while their mind is somewhere else totally diminishes the experience. Julia, who was my stylist, was very genuine and when I asked for a little different shift in my cut (my first time ever having the guts to ask that of a stylist) she was incredibly accommodating and not at all upset or flustered at my request. She also recommended some amazing products that have my hair looking smooth without being weighted down and thicker. \r \r I really liked that I could get an appointment within a couple of days of my phone call, which means that they?re staffing appropriately. (Having to wait because they?re so ""exclusive"" means nothing to me and I just go somewhere else when I'm ready for a cut.) I have to be in the mood to get a haircut for several reasons....it's a huge wait because the stylist is always running behind (it was NOT the situation at the salon, I waited maybe 5 minutes because I was early), it's usually a huge expense for an average experience (well, it was expensive but not disproportionate to what I received in service and the products...not to mention joining the Aveda club that came with product samples and getting a coupon emailed), and they always make me feel like I'm an outsider. I have to be in the mood to schedule an hour of a condescending attitude. (Some of us are just not girlie-girls with ultra chic jewelry, clothes, etc). I was prepared for the usual salon experience, but I didn't feel that ""we'll tolerate you because we want the money, but you really don't belong here"" treatment, and it was greatly appreciated. I'll be back. more

Brandon is a genius! I have always left Avant loving my hair cut (by Rudolph) and my color (by Brandon). He knows exactly where to place to the color to make my hair look natural. Many colorist have a tendency to make hair look striped, but my hair never looks that way when Brandon is done with me. If you want gorgeous, natural looking color visit Brandon at Avant downtown. The prices can be a little higher than some places, but in my experience it's worth it. I pay a little more to look a lot better! Pros: Best hair color in Austin Cons: downtown location can be inconvenient more

My wife sees Melissa pretty often for massages. Ive always been hesitant about having a female therapist because they normally can't go deep enough. So, I gave her a try and will now go to her every time. Her pressure was perfect and I was able to relax knowing she would get all my knots out. I will definitely tell everyone about her. Pros: Friendly, professional staff more

II've gone to many of ""the best"" salons in Austin and Avant surpasses them all. I have paid top dollar at other salons for highlights and have come out with horrible color and damaged hair. Emilyis absolutely the best. She knows exactly what I want and when I leave the salon my hair is healthier and shinier then when I walked in. Emily also introduced me to Julia for haircuts. I couldn't be happier with my new look. When I went on vacation and went to the hotel spa, the stylist had commented that my hair color the best that she had seen. It's great to be able to goto one salon for color and cut. The staff is friendly and accommodating and I always look forward to getting the best head massages!!!!!!!! Pros: Aveda, Valet Parking Cons: Downtown parking, Emily is very busy more

\r I am new in town and visited your salon recently for the first time for some color and highlights. Emily went above and beyond to make sure I left there completely satisfied with my hair color. She is quite talented and is the utmost professional. I love my hair and welcome the compliments from my friends and family. I look forward to my next appointment! Pros: Great customer service, open after 5:00, good location, great results more

I went to Amanda at the Avant off 360. First, she was 10 minutes late, and then when I said I just wanted my hair trimmed...but keep it long, and to only take a little off...I got just the opposite. She gave me this wacky layer at the top- cut 3 inches off, but kept the rest long...giving me a grown out mullet look. My hair is normally full of volume and wavy and I left with my hair oily and limp. Now, all I can do is wait for my hair to grow back and curse myself for paying 50 bucks for an 80s rockstar hair-don't. And yes, I cried when I got home. Pros: free tea Cons: the hair cuts more

I recently moved to Austin and have tried 4 different stylists and hated every cut that I got. I heard about Avant on this website and decided to make an appt. I'm glad I did! Kari did my color and it looks amazing. She did something I had never tried and it turned out great. Julia did my cut and I can totally get out of the shower, let it air dry, and it falls into place and looks perfect. I am very pleased w/ Avant and I'm already ready to go again. Pros: great salon all around Cons: expensive more

I had my color done with Emily and cut with Julia at downtown. They are great! I had so many compliments from my friends, co-workers and even strangers! I highly recommend them. \r Pros: Julia and Emily more

My first visit was amazing. I moved from DC to Austin back in August and had not gotten my hair cut in such a long time. Not only do I love and adore the cut and style of my hair, but the service and staff were amazing. Prices, I felt, were also GREAT for the services provided! Julia was fantastic. She did SUCH a great job with my hair and it looks sooo good. I even wore it curly today rather than straight and the cut works great with it! \r \r Thank you so much for your salon and services! I can't wait for my next visit in June. Pros: Great Staff that is friendly and warm more