Aveda Institute Chapel Hill

I went here for a simple trim (long layers with angles around the face). I know experience there varies on the student, but my girl, Shannon, was pretty crummy. The girl next to us did a pixie cut, was super personable and actually gave her client a massage… which only highlighted how bad/​lazy my girl was.
Her consult was meh-didn’t ask how I wanted to my hair styled that day (straight or curly) and didn’t ask how i style my hair normally or what products I use.
The cut was meh. It’s uneven with one side longer than the other. My hair is long, thick and wavy so it won’t be noticeable (and it will grow out).
Her finishing was terrible! It was like her first time blow drying curly hair. I never blow dry my hair because it’s time consuming, damaging, and physically difficult bc there’s so much of it, but hair is also not my job. Considering she’s in this industry, she should figure out how to give a good straight blow dry. Honestly, I’m terrible at blow drying my own hair and I still could have done better than her. She didn’t use enough product or even the right brush to blow dry. I was left with this poofy, frizzy mess of hair that was still kinda wavy and not fully dry. I bet she wouldn’t walk out the door that morning with her hair looking like that so why would I want to? Her instructor did her check and suggested she go over it with a flat iron to smooth it some more. She used the world’s tiniest flat iron because she left her big one in her car or something. the flat iron didn’t help much. By then, it had already been an hour and a half and i was ready to get out of there.
Overall, she was unprofessional and apathetic. She chewed gum the entire time and her people skills were lacking. I had to initiate conversation the whole time. I never got my mini facial or massage or whatever they advertise «with every hair service». She honestly didn’t even touch my scalp when she shampooed me.
I understand these people are all still learning, but this girl just seemed lazy. She seemed totally content with her crappy haircut and her crappy styling. I would have been okay with the bad trim if she’d have been less experienced and had really tried and spent a lot of time making sure things were even and what not. Like she had the confidence of someone who knew what she was doing, but her skill set was closer to that of a student just stepping on the floor.
I went here bc I figured it’d be a cheap haircut, but I’d have probably been better off going to great clips and saved 5 – 10 $/​time.

This place used to be fine, but I have received terrible haircuts the last 3 times, so now I won’t be going back. This last hair cut was from a senior. I asked for 3 inches off, and in her attempt to cut hair straight and not being able to, she took off 6. She turned me to the side and kept cutting, saying she was making it all even. I finally was just frustrated and left with it as is because I wanted some hair length left. When I got home, I realized the cut wasn’t even at all. Now I have to spend more money to have it fixed.

I have never had a negative experience at Aveda. The staff is friendly and not aloof. Down to earth people who are easy to communicate with and are very friendly. I do appreciate that. I recently had two great experiences with Jamie Brown (hair cut) and Sloan. What I find interesting is how educated the students are and how many world experiences they have already had. It was a very pleasant experience each time. Thank you! Also, loved the new facility and the easy parking. Can’t wait to go back and get a Stress Fix!

I had a great overall experience. The student who cut my hair was very friendly, took her time and made sure she got it right. Her instructor was attentive and helpful as well. I’ll definitely be going back

I got lucky and found a senior stylist who always does a great job on my hair. I’m not sure I will go back when she graduates because frankly the prices are not so great when you consider that these are students and that they are learning and/​or fulfilling graduation requirements while working on you. The price I pay for a blowout and flat iron is the same I would pay anywhere else. At my old hairstylist and most places I have been to while traveling I have never been charged extra for a flat iron. I require a quick go over on my ends to control frizz and it has always been included in the price. Here they charge extra. Also, my appointments take about an hour and a half while I can be in and out of a regular salon in about 30 minutes, 40 minutes if the stylist is extra particular about getting it just right. On the positive side, they have a 20% discount if you get there before 11 am and other promotions throughout the year. So, good first experience but some downsides too.

This morning, I had a «pedicure» at Aveda. I must admit that I had received poor service at this dismal beauty school before, but I wanted to give them another chance. At $ 25, the pedicure is actually more expensive than at my usual nail salon, but it was supposed to be a «spa» pedicure which implies that it includes a little pampering. Not so! The student admitted right off that she had never done this before, so I expected it to be slow and a little awkward. It was so much worse. Turned out she had never been in the treatment room before. She didn’t even know how to open the door. She pinched her fingers filling up the tub, complained about it and left for ten minutes to recover from her self-​inflicted injury. She had no idea how to adjust the seat so I was sitting in an extremely uncomfortable position. Holding up a cheat sheet, that is step-​by-​step instructions — clearly, her only preparation for the service!– she made me wait while she read her directions. I was stunned. She said they are not allowed to clip nails (!) for safety reasons, and she half-​heartedly and uneasily used a nail file for about three seconds which did nothing. My feet were sticky from the lotion she had slapped on – «We are not trained in massage» she said, after I asked her whether she was planning to rub in the lotion. She got up and rummaged around looking for the disposable slippers, opening every drawer and finally asking her manager where they were. After about an hour, she had done virtually nothing other than getting my feet wet and waste my time. At that point, I had enough. I truly did not trust her with polish and I asked for a towel to dry off my own feet. I talked to her manager who did not apologize but, in a snarky tone, pointed out that «this is a school.» Actually, I was aware it was a school but I didn’t know that clients are supposed to do the training.

I’ve had two very good haircuts here since I moved down last August. (I went to a different student salon in my old town.) I agree with the previous reviewers — the only drawback is that it does take a long time (this time was 2 hours, last time was 1.5). The space is open and comfortable and I’m always very happy with the cut. I also dye my own hair and prefer to wait till after the cut to touch it up (otherwise, shampooing bleaches out the color!) but even so, the students complimented my color :) I think the younger students tend to be pretty shy, so you have to carry the conversation depending on who you get, but they definitely listen to what you want a lot more than the other student salon I was at. There is also a 20% discount if you check in before 11, so that meant my haircut was $ 15!
The instructors seem very conscientious and check on your haircut multiple times throughout the appointment from the initial «consultation» to the final check-​off. That’s what makes it work: they always ask you if you’re okay with the cut and help the student fix up little things they’re still learning to do. I do recommend making sure you know in advance the name of any specific technique you want done, it just makes things go easier.
Plus, I’ve never been at another salon that’s so good about not pushing its products! Such a relief to just get a good haircut and not have to worry about turning down overpriced conditioner. All in all, it’s a good experience if you can afford to set aside 2 hours.

I trust everyone at the Aveda Institute. Each visit just gets better. Went in a long haired mess last Saturday and came out with beautiful hair. Color, highlights, cut. Thank you Courtney! Thank you everyone at Aveda. You’re the best best best.

My experience at the salon was good– friendly staff, clean facilities, etc. I was there for a manicure and pedicure. But the manicure did not last. The service includes keeping the bottle of polish. It did take longer than the average mani/​pedi, but I was prepared for that after reading the hair reviews. I was surprised that there were no nail dryers. They use only the spray can to dry the nails. My nails looked okay when I left, though not perfect. The nail color was too close to the cuticle. But, I was still pleased and got in the car to drive straight home. By the time I got home 2 of the fingernails had smudges. By the next day, the color started to lift and within 2 days of the manicure, all of the polish had peeled from my fingers. (Toenail polish has held up.) Since their prices are the same as most other nail salons, I will go elsewhere for a mani/​pedi in the future. I am willing to try other services here though.

I have been going to Aveda for at least 2 years every 6 weeks. I have always received a senior, and when one was about to graduate, they would recommend another classmate. But this time, I didn’t have a referral, and was assigned to Kelli, who was a senior, and to graduate in 3 weeks. She asked what I wanted done, and I told her what I usually have done, color the gray roots, and low lights, and a haircut. I asked if she had my «recipe» for color, as it was written on the card from all my previous visits. She than went to find her supervisor, Pooja. I have now been at the salon, 30 minutes, and still no one. The Guest care Manager, informs there are no other seniors to do my hair, and she decides that Kelli, is not a good fit. She asks me to leave’ the salon. I will never return and suggest that the Director, Jill Sharpe, schedule some classes to teach students about customer service. Even though prices are good some of these students will never make it in the real world. Buyer Beware!

For the price this salon is worth it. I hardly ever take risks with my hair, usually just getting a few inches off and an extra layer, so I don’t have bad experiences where a student messes up badly on my head. But I love how cheap the guest services are!

I just moved to the area and was having trouble finding a stylist. A friend reminded me that we used to go to an Aveda salon in Southern CA and suggested that I look for one here. What a surprise to find the Institute! I had my first appointment and was very pleased with the stylist and the result. Have already booked my next appointment and have recommended it to friends.

Great price but the service was not full service salon in feel, in terms of the thoroughness of the service. I understand it is a school and the students/​staff were friendly though! So yes, for the price, it suffices.

I have never once had a bad experience at Aveda. They listen to what you want, advise you on what may work best for you, and show you how to duplicate your salon style at home. Plus, Tasha is an amazing instructor who encourages her students, making them feel confident and the client feel pampered and sexy!

Unfortunately, I had a poor experience at the salon. I made an appointment to be with an advanced student (someone who is soon to graduate) for a cut, color, and gloss. In total, the appointment took 3 hours. The cut wasn’t very good, she didn’t style it well, and my hair didn’t come out shiny despite the gloss she put into the color. On top of all of that, she left a lot of color on my forehead and back of the neck, even after I had asked her to clean it off twice.
I tried to submit feedback on the email address in the email, and that bounced back 4 times, so I had to submit feedback on their website. someone from the salon called me and said, we’d be happy to offer you a corrective cut and gloss this week with a highly skilled student. I said ok, sure.
That morning of the rescheduled cut, I received a phone message saying that the student was a «no show» and that they will need to reschedule my «redo» again.
I happened to be at University Mall already so I stopped into the salon and told them I wasn’t interested in rescheduling, and asked if they could offer me a refund or some product for the inconvenience. They said, no, we can only offer you a rescheduled correct cut and gloss. Then the front desk person said «she’s just a student and this is a school. we can’t control when they come and go.»
That was completely absurd. It’s a school that runs a business for money. If it were free cuts and colors, then that would make more sense. But I’m paying with real money for real services. And now I have a crappy hair cut and dull hair :(
So once again, I provided feedback through their website and haven’t heard anything back, so I decided to post here to warn others to do their due diligence prior to scheduling appointments.
I had positive experiences at the Aveda Institute in Austin, TX but I was told they are independently owned and operated. oh well, I’m going to a professional next time and will forgo the fantasy of a great hair cut for discounted rates.

Last week I went to Aveda to get my hair dyed back to its natural color. My color had grown out quite a bit (down to my chin, making my hair look ombré), so I figured it would be very easy for them to match it back up– I was very wrong. I even made sure to have a senior student do my hair. I was hoping to end back up with my natural light brown color, but I was left with dark brown-​almost black hair! I spoke up saying that the student did a great job coloring the hair, however, it was almost black and not the light brown as we discussed. Both the student and instructor seemed annoyed that I expressed concern about the coloring. If you are anything like me, my hair is my security blanket, so to have it turn out completely opposite of what you were going for can be traumatizing. They finally agreed that the color came out much darker than they had anticipated. And went on to explain that they would do a color cleanse on my hair in a few days to try to lighten the color.
So I went back 72 hours later.
I had another (different) senior student. She started with a color cleanse. As part of the color cleanse, it turned my hair «draco malfoy white mixed with golden straw» color– which then was dyed to a light brown– or so I thought. After she blow dried my hair, it was lighter– but it had lots of «draco malfoy white/​golden straw» color showing through. The student and instructor thought it looked perfect– but were failing to listen to my concern. Yes, I agreed, it looked much better than the black hair– however, I was not wanting to be blonde, but rather brunette. They finally agreed to color it AGAIN. It turned out better, but I was VERY disappointed that after 4 days of getting it «fixed» the permanent color had faded unbelievably fast.
I was left with brassy-​orange-​golden tinged hair.
I completely understand that this is a learning school, however, I want other people to be aware that getting your hair colored by here, EVEN, with a senior student, may not be the best choice. Though you might save a few bucks, you will spend TWICE or TRIPLE that amount-​like I did– to get it fixed. (BTW, if you are looking to get your hair colored/​fixed, 140 Salon in Durham is amazing! Erin re-​colored my hair perfectly back to my natural color.)

I have been going to the location that was on Franklin Street for about five years and this new space is amazing. The new salon inside University Mall is huge compared to the older space and everything is fresh, clean and trendy. You can enter the Aveda Institute either through the mall entrance or through the entrance by the Harris Teeter parking lot. The store has a large selection of products for hair and skin and then the salon and spa are located towards the back. I come here for facials so it is nice that there are now spa rooms for each student as opposed to the separating curtains at the other location. There is a calm and peaceful waiting area in the spa and you wait there until your student comes and greets you. I always get the elemental facial and just love the Aveda products, sensory journey and overall relaxation. The specials during Mother’s Day and during the first week of December are the two times a year that the products get marked down 20%. You can also pre-​book for the year and that also saves you 20%. I have been very impressed with all of the services I have received here and am very excited about the new space.