Aveda Institute Portland

The instructor Sara took over the students work and RUINED my hair. The student was literally doing exactly what I asked and was actually working toward the results I had hoped for.

HOPEFUL FUTURE COSMETOLOGY STUDENT? LOVER OF AVEDA PRODUCTS?
As far as I can see, there is only one review of this school by a student. So as a former student of this school I’ll put in my opinion on this SCAM of an institution. Consumers beware and potential students… reconsider a corporate school. A corporate school is only going to care that they are creating ‘stylists’ who will push their product. Your education will come second to everything else that the school can come up with to monopolize your time for their various ’causes’ (more on that later!). Turnover by all staff is high.
This school is an Aveda school in NAME ONLY. The owners of this school are also responsible for the shitty Dosha salons all over the city. The very same salons where the management was so shitty, pay was horrible, and the turnover is faster than making a pancake… Dosha employees formed a union (well documented on the internet and in the news so this isn’t falsified information) that the owner went out of his way to refuse to negotiate with, but hired a teabagging lawyer to bust it. Dosha is also the only salon in the city that I know of that makes you sign a release before services. Check the reviews. Interesting? Is Dosha basically the AIP school? Why a release in a SALON? Do you not have faith in your own employees?
No matter how much bullshit this company spouts about whatever the fuck they are doing for the environment… it is just that: smoke and mirrors. Aveda will go on and on up their own assholes about how they don’t test on animals, how they care about the environment, the people in it and the planet. You as a student will have to chant their marxist monologue EVERY assembly you have nearly every Tuesday (where your time will be wasted for more money schemes, ‘career fairs’ and maybe a 20 minute assembly on how to properly fold a fucking towel… yeah your first week of school and being forced to attend this bullshit when you should be in a classroom studying practical and theory, was a waste of time and money) ‘Our mission at Aveda…’ chanting about world change, people, their products, the environment… all the while you will be wearing a student smock that was outsouced from China and made in a sweatshop. No animal testing? They are also owned 100% by the Estee Lauder companies, which DOES perform animal testing. Though maintained by a vague description of being a ‘separate enitity’ from Lauder, is basically bullshit. You are owned by a company that does animal testing. PERIOD. Your espousing ethics of not testing on animals is out the window when the people giving you money to make your over scented products made by some chamomile have just killed a monkey in China so one of the other companies in the portfolio (that you as a company belong to) can have a better shimmer to their lipgloss. Wanting an unscented product? Forget it. In the eyes of Aveda because their ‘Pure-​Fume’ is naturally sourced then you wont have a reaction. So EVERYTHING is drenched in scent. Natural? That is questionable. They aren’t 100% vegan or organic, several products contain beeswax and honey.
Every year, the school partners with the Columbia Riverkeepers for a little event called ‘Catwalk for Water’. Now, keep in mind if you are a part time student going to the school only 3 days a week you really need every second of being in school to focus on the haircuts you need to know before going on to colour theory… well, too bad. Any fundrasing or pointless event is going to take precedence (and believe me, in your tenure you will be harped on to take part in several, MANY at your own expense). You will pop out new haircuts from videos watched in class (and being put in debt for an education that you cannot even access online, forced to go online to find models for the cut and if they don’t show up (at least when I was there) you will be sent home for not having a model, thereby acquiring make-​up hours. You will also be signing a contract to not do ‘beauty’ outside of school. Your sister’s wedding? Forget it, you can’t do the hair. BUT you sure as hell can waste your school hours on fundraisers like Catwalk, where you will be forced to not only try and raise money, but sell tickets to an event that unless you buy a ticket for the event YOU worked on, you will not be able to see in person. After people get a service, you take them to the retail area to fill up a basket with all you used, basically making an assumption they will buy everything you used. If you do nails, you will only do natural nails on the floor despite the fact you will need to demonstrate using acrylics for the boards of the state. So you will have no experience. Need an instructor on the floor or during clinic hours? Forget it. They’re too busy on their smartphones instead of walking the floor observing students.
Aveda Institute Portland is a scam. Period. Get your education at Beau Monde or Phagans.

I’m currently a student at AIP. I have never seen a review on here from an actual student about the program, so I wanted to give some insight because I know I looked before attending. I am halfway through my program, and choosing this school was a great decision for me. I love Aveda as a company and their products, so coming to their Institute made perfect sense.
Each phase is 8 – 9 weeks, and there are 8 phases, the last one lasting 16 weeks (for a full time cosmetology student). You are on the floor after the first phase which is cutting knowledge. I loved this because you have more time to take guests instead of being in a classroom for most of your time at school.
The student services department is also wonderful. Miranda has been there forever and has tons of knowledge about salons in the area and finding a great fit for you after school. The school as a whole has a very high placement percentage after graduation. During some of your time there you do hours in different salons in the area to learn what it’s like in an actual salon and also check out places you’re interested in working.
Another thing that sets AIP apart from other schools is their Esthetics phase and program. Most schools only have a few spa rooms, where AIP has give or take a few. 20, sectioned off by curtains, but every single area has a towel cabby, steamer, wax pots, and set of products.
It does have a structure and a lot of rules, but that can be a positive or a negative. For me, it’s positive. Those things motivate me, whereas it may not someone else.
I definitely believe that your education here is what you make it, if you’re motivated, you will do well.
I hope this helps someone choose a cosmetology school that’s right for them!