The instructors are as clueless as the students. I was shocked when it took 3 full hours to do a single process dye job on virgin hair. She was so slow, rubbing color into my scalp with her brush that I couldnt tell if the burning was from her rubbing the brush into my head for so long or the chemicals. She took so long that by the time she was finished the crown of my hair was lighter than the mid and end length. I hate what they did. They really have no clue what they are doing. The instructor Samantha gave her very little instruction and mostly just walked around with her hands on her hips chewing the fat. I booked over email and clearly stated I wanted highlights with color but when I got there I was told that it was too late in the day for highlights and they could only do a single process color. I really wanted highlights but apparently their slow students cannot manage two step process in a single day hence it would have required two visits. They did not contact me to mention any of this so I begrudgingly went ahead with the color and am VERY sorry I did. It is the worst color I have ever had including when I was a clueless teen and did it myself at home with boxes from the drugstore. You wouldnt think they could mess up a single process color on virgin hair where the color chosen is close to the natural color, but they did. Dont waste your time going here. You can do better for less the time and a fraction of the expense with drugstore dye. No kidding.

I love this place! Their so well educated and have such a diverse knowledge with all hair types! They were able to easily do my ethnic hair and left it so beautiful and styles correctly. I loved seeing how diverse the students were and so many of the girls had ethnic hair as well.I was booked by a friend of mine but from now own I’m going to make my own account! The check in process was smooth and easy and their were so sweet and answered my every question since I was a bit nervous as it was my first haircut without my usual stylist. As well how professional they are with every situation! Great school! Will be coming back again !

Spectacular find in Ballston Mall! Excellent salon, with a friendly and professional spa atmosphere with beautiful music!Maddie is a total perfectionist.❤️ She takes her time and listens carefully to her instructor. Both Maddie and instructor are awesome! I’ll be selfishly so sad when she graduates!😉One would think she’s been doing hair for years!

Excellent quality haircut and partial highlight by Sam and Ms. Janet. Cant beat the price, about $20 haircut, $50 partial highlight starting price. Family and friends said it looked like a $250 haircut and color and Im very happy with the result. Its a huge salon, over 25 chairs and lots of stylists. The folks who do your hair are cosmeticians in training at the Aveda Institute, with a senior trainer checking their work and constantly consulting with them for best way to do your hair. They will put all the Aveda products in a basket at the end to suggest for you to buy, but you dont have to buy it (they are super expensive, $10 for tiny travel bottles, $140+ for large bottle). The nice thing is you get all these nice products during your shampoo etc. and access to the senior stylist with all their tried and true industry tips and tricks (who would probably charge me $300 for their cut and highlights!). The only unpleasant part of the experience is that it took 6hrs. I get that the cheap cost is to let the novice stylists practice on you and so they arent that quick, obviously, as they are students. But I wasnt prepared for it so I didnt eat enough before, nor bring a water bottle, or make arrangements to expect a 6hr outing. So be prepared to bring a snack, a water bottle, and a few magazines. The Ballston Mall parking garage for the facility is free for first 3 hours, and I had to pay $7 for the extra 3hrs. The salon is on the first main floor across from the Chick Fil A. Overall, I recommend it because of the great price for a high quality cut and highlights.

I say thanks Justin he did good job I know he is still students but perfect job & his teacher also nice lady thanks guys

This is my favorite place to get a haircut and for an absolute bargain. The students and teachers have always done such a fantastic job with my hair and I always feel well taken care of here!

Tinaya did a cut and all-over color for me and the results were fabulous!! Hands down one of the best cut and color I’ve ever received. Professional service and a relaxing Aveda spa experience. I’ll definitely be back! Thanks Tinaya and Instructor Kenneth!

DO NOT BOOK IF YOU HAVE NATURAL HAIR, THEY WILL NOT CUT IT FOR YOU. My wife and I both had an appointment at the same time (I have fine, straight hair, my wife has an afro). Everyone got checked in and had a stylist, but my wife was told no one was available to cut her hair (they never mentioned having an issue in advance). They took me (white female) back with no issues, but even with multiple students in the back with no customers, they still “had no one to cut her hair.” They didn’t seem to care or even try to rebook her appointment. Terrible company, extremely unprofessional. Shame on Aveda for not teaching their students how to work with natural hair. You should be ashamed of yourselves.Note: they never once asked my wife at the salon if she wanted to reschedule her appointment.

Great service, everyone very professional. Plan to return for another facial.

Facials are amazing. Outstanding customer service.

The absolutely worst school the teachers want you to keep coming back and they will JACK UP YOUR HAIR!!!! Runnnnnnn!!!!!!

I made an appointment to color my hair, it took 8hrs, yes 8hrs to get it done and that too not in a good way. I was told my hair is bad so the color did not take and they were closing the salon( because obviously 8hrs) so I should go with my still wet hair. If I could I would have given negative reviews, also I was charged for the service, after the entire ordeal.

Well I called today to get some information and the lady who answered my call was Ms.MEGAN was very unprofessional and lazy wasnt giving me good info because her answers were very very shorts so it was hard for me to communicate or get what I wanted so I had to leave her alone since she not giving me clear information and invited me to your institute then I had to go to other institute who are welcomed and love what they do to their customers. She needs training badly !!

Trying to get a week off of work? Go to Aveda Arts Institute (minus the Sciences part, for obvious reasons)-- free COVID infection with every purchase! They dont wear masks here, thus furthering the harmful stereotype that beauty school types are small-minded dummies. Guess 500,000+ dead people isnt enough.

Spa service was okay not great but front desk lady charged me full amount even they had $25 off promotion and she told me that they will reimburse but never did.

Got my color on...