Third Avenue Spa

I decided to give this salon a try because a friend of mine raved about their services and she always looks great. She uses them for eyebrow shaping, pedicures, and manicures.
My appointment was for eyebrow shaping. While the girl was really nice, I found her to be inexperienced. Firstly, her own brows were horrible. They were overly plucked in some areas, not plucked enough in others. She had the worst brows I have seen at a salon. That is never a good sign.
I do my own brows so I didn’t need much done, just help with creating a subtle arch. She only plucked a few hairs and stopped and told me she didn’t think she could create an arch. I’ve already had arches done at other salons so I know it can be done. She ended up having me look in the mirror so I could point out what hairs to pluck. It was disappointing and a waste of time and money.
One thing to know about Aveda Concept Salons, they typically offer the same services using the same products and the same procedure. While they have certain price guidelines, I have noticed that each one sets their own price. I’m guessing it is based on location. Toronto is more, smaller cities less. The prices at Third Avenue Spa are higher than a very large Aveda Concept Salon in the Market, one which is far more well known than this one.
I was so unimpressed with the service that I would not go back. I do, however, pick up Aveda hair products from this location because it is convenient. The staff are always friendly.

Ok, so I wish I was more of a massage expert so I can point out why I didn’t enjoy my massage all that much but I don’t know much about them at all. I’ve had a few different types of massages, Indian Head Massages, numerous massages for sports injuries (which aren’t supposed to be pleasant), and circulation massages. So this, from what I’m guessing was a Swedish massage. I called the woman on the phone and told her I was just stressed about school and would like a massage to relax me. She told me to make an appointment with a registered massage therapist, which I did!
I made an appointment for an hour long massage, the massage was really early in the morning, so the spa was kind of empty. It was a really nice, clean building, there were a variety of products and it had a relaxing vibe to it. I filled out a questionnaire and waited for the massage therapist to arrive because she was late. I waited a really long time, I’d say a half an hour. Finally, she came in drinking coffee and laughing with another coworker. Kind of made me wonder if she got the coffee knowing she was making a client wait.
She took me down into a secluded, quiet room and told me to strip down, and she placed towels on me to ensure my privacy, you know, the usual. She used a really nice Aveda massage oil that made my back feel awesome for days. She talked for a really long portion of the massage, I wouldn’t mind a little small talk at first but I’d say she talked a bit excessively. I made sure to tell her I feel tense around my neck area and would like her to focus on that part. The massage itself wasn’t overly enjoyable, I felt she didn’t use enough pressure and definitely didn’t focus on my neck, she just told me there was a portion at the end for a neck massage. There WAS a portion at the end for a neck massage, but it was maybe 5 minutes.
I’ve never had a Swedish massage before so I can’t tell you if it was a good massage or not… But I left a little disappointed. I felt the price was reasonable for 60 minutes, and they didn’t try to pressure me into buying anything (that’s a first), so I really appreciate that too. I think I’ll come back and try a pedicure or a facial but I want to try a Swedish massage again at another location. When I do, I’ll update my review.

In three words; pleasant, professional, perfect. Warm greeting, happy staff, great management, email reminders of appointments… Wonderful. I recommend for mani/​pedi as well as facials and full day.
Central with good access to parking.
My Thursday appointment was as I had hoped, and I left feeling pampered, happy and relaxed. :)

Pampered and pretty is how I would describe my fingers, toes and face. What a treat. I was presented with a gift certificate for my birthday and was pleasantly surprised by this wonderful spa experience. Although, they appeared to undergoing a few renovations it does not spoil the wonderful, restful experience. The chairs at the manicure stations were so comfortable I almost fell asleep. The facial was such a mix of calm, dim lighting and the aromas of Aveda that I did slip into sleep.
This was like a mini holiday I felt so rested and pretty. I love that this spa doesn’t cut hair there is a motion and noise level you don’t find here. Highly recommend this spa.