Gena Griffiths

a month ago

"I had a GREAT first experience here. I came in for highlights and a cut. The student and instructor worked with me endlessly to find a color that would work for my features. There was also a lot of communication between the student and instructor so I felt completely confident in the services I was receiving. Everyone was extremely friendly and asked me how I was doing along the way. I would highly recommend Aveda! Looking forward to going back."

Zane Lovely

a month ago

"I attended the Aveda's Esthetics program and graduated in June of 2025. I want to start off with the Positives: A.J, the front desk staff, and Lynn... beyond kind and fair. A hidden nugget of wisdom and community. The Negative: prior to my intake interview I'd read the reviews and asked my enrollment specialist before enrolling had the staffing issue been resolved? I was assured it had been. A pon my first day, it was quite obvious that was a lie! During my time there I'd had 5 different instructors, one of whom was fired right before class started. The worst experience were the female instructors. I had one who was explicitly bias on what cultures she wanted to work with. Who later threw all of my supplies in the trash and lied about it. The last one was by far the worst Mrs.Kyedi...the tall black woman who yell and cuss at her students on the spa floor and consistently bragged about how she under-educated students she didn't like (seem to be a common theme amongst all instructors). To be screaming and yelling in a professional setting that promotes peace shows a lack of emotional balance and stability. She particularly had a hard time with Christian- religion students, which she had an open discussion about in class, later revealing that she is a witch. She even advised one of the younger girls who expressed having bad dreams and tiredness to put an altar in her home and said that she herself had an altar in her home & when people upset her.... she would just throw their names on her altar. I remained silent, distant, and quiet around her after she disclosed that.The person a loud, messy person dreads the most... is a quiet observer (me). When I graduated, she obtained my social media information from another student and began stalking my page and inboxing me (violation of privacy and breach of confidentiality). Creepy. If I didn't personally make it a point to exchange information, then that probably means I'm not interested in doing so. But this is a prime example of the lack of professional boundaries and respect there of. I imagine she stalked my account out of waiting for some subliminal shade, or exposure of her lacking in character. However it never happened. Just this review as an honest dissatisfied consumer. This instructor also habitually late and lies and gossips about her students to other students and staff. Why would I want any personal contact with this person? Very messy and unprofessional. As a black woman myself, this is a poor representation a leadership face of our women. Why is she there? The esthetics educational atmosphere is far left from being an instrument of education, more like an instrument of self-loathing abuse of power. Is this really the highlight of the AVEDA Brand? Because this is certainly not what's promoted or advertised. What's promoted is a brand that is rooted in the spiritual balance of healing via the natural essence of the earth. But what is hidden, within the embodiment of the staff is something far more dark and sinister. SUGGUESTION: The staff should reflect the company's mission. To hire staff with opposing morals and habits, is a public contradiction and false advertisement to future students."

Lorraine Phelps

a month ago

"The school made a reservation for me within 24 hrs and I was fit in the next day. The school is located in Dumbo and the train is four blocks away. The school opened at this location two months ago and everything is brand new. I asked for a basic wash and cut. The senior student did an excellent job. Be prepared with photos and know what you want to help guide the process. The student instructors were also very present to guide the students, available to help and knowledgeable."

Trisha Reyes

4 months ago

"Had a great, first time experience at Aveda. Stephanie A did my hair and she was AMAZING! She made sure to talk me through what she was thinking for my color and curls and always spoke to the teachers about her strategies, which they seemed pleased with. Even when she was rinsing or brushing my hair, Stephanie always asked if her technique was okay and if she could anything to make me feel more comfortable. I’ve never been to a beauty school to have my hair done and definitely can’t vouch for anyone else, but Stephanie did a great job of both listening to my wants and getting beautiful results. Would 1000% recommend."

Jessica Belle

4 months ago

"First and foremost, we all understand when booking appointments with Aveda institute we are booking with students. I booked here because I was referred and I read online the instructor would be there overseeing which allowed me to take the risk. I was matched with a senior student for color retouch, my appointment was at 2 pm I wasn’t aware the place closes at 5 which lifted a concern for me because with the amount of hair I have I was getting the feeling I’ll be rushed towards the end. Long story short, my washing experience was bad, I wasn’t draped properly, water was running down my clothes, my hair wasn’t combed out during the wash or even after. During the wash I asked the student to scratch my scalp better in order to get the dye products out, to say the least I was basically ignored. Immediately when it came to “styling” my curly hair, products were thrown in my hair by the instructor using scrunching technique without following up with combing through the products. I was padded dry with the towel which caused frizz and I told them they were giving me anxiety. Luckily I brought my own hair brush, I educated the instructor and student on how to handle clients with curly hair. I even recommended the institute getting the brush I had. Overall, I feel like the there was a lack of traditional service such as making sure the client has a dry towel around their neck at all times, listening skills and patience. Even though the salon was close to closing time, I am still a paying customer and deserve a full experience. I left with my hair moderately dry and frizzed. After getting home and seeing my hair dried, my color was not what I asked for when I first showed them what I wanted. My roots were “hot”. The color was more copper red than violet red as I asked. I called the salon the next day, I heavily voiced my concerns and they were able to compensate me thankfully. Following up two days later I was able to make travel to my original professional salon for color correction."