Aveda Institute Los Angeles

Had a first okay experience a few years back so I’d thought I’d try again. Bad idea! Made an appointment for mid-June and 2 days before they texted that my appointment for a hair cut and facial had been canceled and to call to reschedule. Called back to reschedule both treatments for the same day on July 1st. A week ago, a woman at the institute called to confirm the appt but noted it was only for a hair cut. When I told her it should also be for a facial, she very rudely responded “I only see a haircut scheduled so I don’t know what to tell you.” I let the tone roll off my back and rescheduled both a second time for July 8. This morning I get a text saying my I will need to reschedule again because the student doing the treatment graduated. Shouldn’t a school ahead of time when a student is graduating?! A business is only as good as the people who work there and it’s obvious to me now that this Aveda Institute is run by unprofessional amateurs. It’s sad because other Aveda salons & training schools I’ve been to previously in NYC and Portland have been very professional and on-point with customer service and scheduling. This Los Angeles location is giving the Aveda brand a bad name.

I highly suggest not attending Aveda LA for any of their programs. They charge over double the tuition of other beauty schools while holding esthetics programs with NO ESTHETICIAN EDUCATORS. They have an extremely high turnover 5 major instructors over the course of two months. Every class day is filled with disorganization and dishonesty. Upper management and directors don't uphold meetings, or genuinely acknowledge the many ways in which this school fails to uphold offering a "well-rounded" education. Other staff members create a hostile environment for students and are simply unprofessional while placing high expectations on students. You won't get education in any trending techniques or technology. Any instructors they do have are in their position illegally as they graduate from Aveda themselves and start instructing right after. Legally you must be professionally practicing your field for three years to qualify as an educator; Making all the instructors complicit in the disoriented experience they are providing. The school is rundown and most classes are held in a basement. They run an entire spa and salon with students as unpaid workers under the name of "education." If you research more, these issues have been going on for years and there have been no improvements. This institute only values the money that you come in with, not you or your education.

When I read these reviews before I went in I was a little nervous but I usually take reviews with a grain of salt and go in for my own experience. I met some of the students at my job. I work across the street and was told about their services and the pricing so I was interested to come check it out. Just for others to be aware: this is a school and they are gaining experience and may not be at their best. If you have high expectations you might want to pass this up. They have you sign a waiver before so you’re aware that this is a school and they’re learning. I got a facial and my eyebrows done. I waited for about 10 min and was greeted and taken downstairs. I had a great experience. The girl asked if I liked my brows and to not be afraid to tell her if I didn’t and I asked her to just fix one spot up and I was happy. I got a facial done as well and it was very relaxing and I was very happy with my experience and I am all about giving my time to someone who wants to learn and get better at something they’re interested in. I was prepared to possibly have bad brows come out but everything turned out great. I was very happy with my experience and the friendly service I got. I will come back again.

I just moved here from Dallas,TX, where I regularly went to Aveda for hair services. The visit I experienced the other day at Aveda on Weyburn Avenue was pretty terrible. I arrived on time for my appointment, and as I waited for my stylist, I was approached 5 times and asked if I was someone else apparently there was another client before me and they couldn't find her. They were walking in circles not sure what to do. Twenty minutes later they took me in. I told the student I needed a bang trim and how I wanted it. Her teacher came over and cut my bangs worse than they were before. I told her they were still uneven, she said, "well that's how your hair naturally falls".She had no clue what she was doing and she was teaching her student wrong. She cut them again and said, "well your hair is naturally heavier on one side, we can't fix that". The floors were dirty, covered with hair, tin foil, hair dye. When I went to walk to the bathroom there was no space to squeeze between stylists and chairs to get there and no one seemed to care. I drove 45 minutes to get to the appointment, paid for parking, spent way too long at the salon, and ended up with a terrible bang cut. Definitely need more quality teachers here, more organization, cleanliness and professionalism.

Very bad. My neighbor got very lovely haircut at Aveda. And hair coloring too. Was very happy. I decided to give it a try. It was very wrong. Girl, who supposed to cut my hair different from my neighbor's should not be allowed to face a client. Not only she was not ready to make a haircut. She did not know how to fix cover around my neck. I was fully covered in my hair at the end. I am not going to start with haircut itself. Too painful. Young girl was not ready. Some day she will. But those who responsible for letting it happen at least had do wave my pay. I paid.

I had a great experience at the Aveda Institute. I was just looking for a cheap quality haircut no color and that plus more is exactly what I got. I specified when I made my online reservation that I preferred a senior student. I was a little early but after checking in with the front desk, I was brought to the back relatively quickly. My stylist, Jackie V., was professional and did great work. In addition to a great haircut, I received my choice of 2 Aveda "rituals" from 4 options I chose mini facial and scalp massage, but don't remember the other two options. I also got 20% off a product as it was my first time. Some things to note are that because it is a school, they do check-in with instructors at designated times to ensure that what they are going to do is ok. The plan is reviewed and the work is checked. Additionally, the students are not as quick as a regular haircut. There was also a little back up at the hairwashing station. All this meant I was glad I had parked in a lot rather than at a 2-hour meter. I plan to return for future haircuts!

Please take every one star review with a grain of salt, when getting a hair cut at any of the Aveda locations you are required to sign a waiver basically stating if something goes wrong they will not be responsible because these are students in training not professionals with years of experience under their belts. With that said lets get to the review. At Aveda you will feel very welcome by friendly staff and the students who will be providing services, making an appointment is easy and you are given a 15 minute grace period if you are running late. It is also a good idea to cancel at least 30 minutes ahead of time if you know you cant make it as to not disrupt a student from classes. So far I have had 3 haircuts and all my experiences were excellent, of all the places I have gotten my haircut they always consistently give me what is desired and I have never felt this confident with a haircut in my 20 years of being on this planet. You cant go wrong with a full service haircut for under 50 dollars and helping students learn more and practice their passion. I highly recommend giving this place a try at least once despite the negative reviews.