Aveda Institute Tampa Bay

This was the first time I have been to this particular Aveda Institute, although I have been to others. I had been putting off refreshing my color for quite awhile. Bad highlights last summer turned into splotchy brassiness and I was going to have to do something. I could do it myself for about $ 15, with supplies from Sally’s, or pay someone upwards of $ 100 to do it.
And then in a flash of brilliance I remembered that this place is less than 30 minutes away. I called and got a same-​day appointment. I went in armed with a photo of what I wanted (good in any case, and especially with a student). I had a lovely young «master» student named Glenn. She was very sweet and soft spoken, and asked every possible question while working with me — from what I wanted done to how I liked my water temperature for shampooing.
Before she began, she checked the color formula with her educator. When she finished applying the color, the educator checked me over to make sure nothing had been missed. The finished product was also checked over before I left. These students are extremely well-​supervised, and the educators will get in and help out if the student isn’t confident or needs something shown to them. I felt as at ease in their hands as I would have at a normal salon.
After the service, Glenn showed me a few products she used to help protect my color, and I checked out. The total was $ 62, and this included $ 10 for a post-​color deep condition. You really can’t beat it. I love Aveda products, and also picked up a leave-​in color protectant.
Glenn wrote down the color formulas for me, so I can come back and have the color repeated (she will have graduated by then). I was very impressed and will definitely be back!

What brings me here mainly is the affordable price on student services as compared to the higher than average prices that regular Aveda salons usually charge. My hair, massage, and facial services have always been high quality and I have no complaints about those.
Only once did I get a manicure and pedicure, all the while the student doing them was complaining about how they hate doing them and only do it because the school/​state board requires them to. In that same visit, there was a salon student (not my stylist) who was making rude comments about my appearance within a range that I could hear her talking about me. I took that visit rather seriously and did not return for quite a long time afterwards, until I was sure that the rotten apples were no longer there.
Back to now, I’ve returned for hair and massage services and as usual, remain pleased with them. As for any concerns that a person may have about student work, bear in mind that there are instructors constantly watching them, mentoring them, and double checking their work. Any concern you may have about your service can usually be satisfactorily resolved before leaving the chair.

Fantastic experience! I only waited about 4 minutes before I was called back. The master stylist, Lauren was wonderful! She was personable, professional and did a great job on my hair. She thoroughly explained her recommendations and gave me a beautiful cut and style. Not to mention the relaxing scalp massage pre cut and hand massage while my conditioning treatment was settling. It was a pleasurable experience all around and I highly recommend.

I had a mixed experience the two times that I went. The first time I had a 60 minute massage. The student did a great job and the instructor checked in to make sure that everything was going well. She also asked for feedback privately after the massage. One thing that I noticed not only here but also at the Aveda Institute in Ft. Lauderdale is that the massages are a lot shorter than the allocated time. Although you book a 60 minute massage, the massage itself is actually only about 40 minutes long.
I went back the following week for a pedicure. While I understand that the service providers are students, I still expect a certain level of skill before students are allowed to perform services on clients. The student was very nice but she did such an awful job (and no I don’t have hideous or crusty feet). She was way to shy, barely exfoliated, scrubbed or massaged my feet, which was part of the type of pedicure that I had. When I thought it couldn’t get any worse, she did such a horrible job applying the clear top coat of nail polish. Like how do you mess up the application of clear nail polish? It was so botchy and terrible. Then when the instructor came to check her work after, she saw no problem with it. I really wished that she would have asked for feedback privately like the instructor for the massage did because I would have been very candid and honest. I didn’t want to say anything negative right in front of the student to embarrass her or in front of the other two students and two clients that were being serviced right next to me. The other two students were doing a fine job on the two ladies that were seated next to me and I spent the whole hour sitting there in total envy. I will go back there but I will certainly be requesting to NOT have that same student work on me.

Keep in mind these are STUDENTS doing your hair. So be exceptionally clear about what you want. They do take longer than the average salon bc they are still learning. With that being said you cannot beat the price. I got a deep conditioning treatment, hair cut, root touch up, low light and my husband got his hair cut all for $ 72! OMG! My hair looks fabulous and smells great. I will admit it took about 6 hours in the salon. If you have an afternoon to spend while they pamper you its well worth it. Will def be coming back in a few months for more color.
The products are pricey but the services were fantastic!

Big mistake coming here to get long bangs cut! The girl barely even shampooed my hair and took almost an hour & half to blow dry (and I have shoulder length hair!) they seem more concerned with trying to sell you products than actually listening to what you want.

Worst experience ever. Don’t think just because there are instructors things are fine. They’re not. The instructor didn’t even check my hair afterwards and did not tell my daughter a price for hers yet charged us for their mistakes. Don’t be fooled, find a reputable hair dresser. I know I will from now on.

Had a great experience. Lane did a fantastic job! Madison did a great job too (one chair over) i’m already for my big date tonight. Yeah!

Before today, my only prior experience with the aveda institutes was at the former downtown st pete location a few years back. Since the location in Clearwater opened, I had never been until finally deciding to come here for a haircut today. I have a usual hairdresser who cuts my hair normally but I’ve been long overdue for a trim and couldn’t wait any longer so I called to see if aveda had an opening and they were able to get me in same day with a master student. I arrived at 5:30, my appointment time, and checked in but had to wait 20 minutes before I was finally brought back by the stylist. Too long of a wait considering I was on time for my appointment, that was about the only downside to the whole experience.
Caitlin F was my stylist and she started by doing an evaluation to find out how I wanted my hair. I explained I just wanted a trim to keep it healthy. The instructor came by for her first check in before we got started. Based on my previous experience at aveda I already knew the instructors would be checking in step by step to make sure everything is going well. This can be a bit time consuming, especially for more complicated appointments including highlight and color, but it’s the price you pay to have a more affordable salon experience! Caitlin washed and scrubbed my hair as the first step. It was quite a glorious relaxing experience. Next up was the cut. She did it just how I wanted and I was satisfied with end result, especially after she finished it off with smoothing product and blow dry. Although the instructor did briefly check in 3 times throughout the whole process it was actually quick and took less time than I expected. We were done within 1 hour of starting.
The cost for a trim with a master student is $ 18 (plus tip). Caitlin was friendly and did a good job. The salon offers many other services including facials, massages and nail services. Since I have a regular hairstylist, I probably wouldn’t come here frequently for that, but would recommend to others and will check out their other services in the future.

I went here this week for a haircut. I had tons of split ends and wanted 6 inches chopped off. The stylist was very friendly, listened intently & seemed to understand what I was looking for when I showed her the picture. After my consult she brought a teacher over to review the «plan», he was happy and she started with a scalp massage, very nice. The wash was pretty typical. She asked me to stand while she cut my hair, seemed odd to me. When she was finished she went to get teacher to review who agreed that it was still too long, and another 2 inches needed to be cut off. The teacher showed her what to do and she proceeded to cut more. I wasn’t thrilled with the styling, way too much product, but when I got home I fixed it and love the way it looks. Cut was only $ 18!
I made subsequent appointments for mani/​pedi & facials.

Let me start off by saying that I am very partial to Aveda and always seek out a salon and spa when I move to an area. However, I had never had work done at an institute. This is my second trip because I was so happy with my first experience. There are some things you do need to understand before you come so you have a realistic expectation of what you are going to get. First off there are two levels if students, no matter what level you what, do everyone a favor and make an appointment. This experience will take longer than any hair process has ever taken because they are students. They get checked at every step and it is a learning experience. With that being said, this really was the best hair cut I have ever had and in my opinion it was because of the process. I will go back again and would recommend it to anyone. Just make sure that you have the time, it is well worth the wait. Especially when you consider how cheap the whole process is compared to any other Aveda Salon you would go to.

The only place I will ever go to!!! I usually see someone new each time I go because they eventually graduate and move on with their career and let me tell you… Every hairdresser that I have seen, has been amazing! They always give complementary scalp massages and are actually interested in what you really want done to your hair unlike other salons where they think they know what they’re doing and decide to takeover. But not Aveda! Always a great time when I come here and the student haircuts are only $ 12! (Instructor/​educator cuts are $ 18) I get the $ 12 cut because I trust the students and have never left disappointed. Go to Aveda!!!

The prices are great, and eventually I always like the color …2 weeks later. Every time I go they ‘tone’ my hair too much and it’s super dark until some of it washes out. So my advice is use them but not if you’re going to an event tomorrow.

I’ve been visiting Aveda institute salons for quite some time– several years. Price wise– you cannot find lower for the service and attention you receive. $ 12 for a haircut, I used to get a full head of highlights for $ 50 (unheard of)! The biggest drawback is the wait– even with an appointment you will wait. Additionally, the service itself takes a lot longer than it would otherwise… These are students, so you get the attention you want from a salon (and would not get otherwise) but at the cost of your time.

The educators are amazing and all of the students are so wonderful to work with. It is a bright and brand new location. It is a fun and happy atmosphere that offers hair and nail services, waxing, lash and brow tinting, full spa and a brand new retail area.