Aveda Institute Chapel Hill

Horrible haircut. I have long blond hair. Normally get it trimmed at those awful greatsuperclipcuts places. friend suggested aveda. Things started fine, but I asked for a trim from my long layer hair cut. I left with my hair six inches shorter in an uneven blunt cut. I have wavy hair, so the haircut was a disaster. When I alerted the instructor, they offerred to have another student cut it more to fix it. Not a chance. When I suggested they should register this with the student as this harms the aveda reutation, they explained they are private. Aveda should not be licensing their names to such an irresponsible school. PROS: ..... the shampoo smelled nice..? kinda. CONS: Loud, inexperienced, slow. more

My appointment was for a permanent wave. Since I was a little early, I asked about getting a nail or facial service if there was time. I received a nice enough pedicure that at least equaled those I have gotten at the ubiquitous "nail salons" elsewhere. The pedicure took awhile and apparently cut into the time alloted for my perm significantly. When I was taked back to the shampoo room by the student doing my perm, I received a very basic shampoo, and although the shampoo smelled very nice, there was no massage and it was quickly rinsed off. Two students started rolling my hair for the perm. One student had never done it before at all, and the other (who would be graduating in less than a week), had done this only a couple of times before. There was a bottle of mirror cleaner right there with the spray bottle of water and one student almost spritzed me with that instead of the water. The other student dropped a comb on the floor, and decided that spraying it with the mirror cle more

This is a great place for a cheap facial or pedicure, but be wary of the hair cuts. The 90 minute elemental facial is wonderful (and only $35!) but hair cuts with students can be hit or miss... Not tipping either since it's students, not professionals, but you can donate to a charity instead of tipping if you want to... more

Aveda has a reputation for being very pricey but very earth-friendly. When you walk in the door to the institute, expect a friendly hello and some free tea. It's fine to drop in to shop or grab a "menu" of services, but if you want a hair or spa appointment be sure to call in advance. FAR in advance. Even during the summer with many Chapel Hill students out of town, the waitlist for Aveda services is very long. You'll need to call at least two weeks in advance for a hair appointment or a nail appointment if you're going with a buddy. But the deals are great. With a haircut running $17-20, you'll get a free mini facial, shampoo in a very calming room (no straining your neck to get your head out of a basin, you'll have a comfortable bed to lie on), all natural fragrances and lots of attention. But do keep in mind, this is no brief clip and go. My haircut appointment lasted 2 hours. Students are completing the services (no tipping needed or accepted) and need the extra time so their super more