Aveda Academy Denver PureTalent Salons

I am not going to name the stylist who did my hair because I don’t want her to get in trouble. I spent the most miserable four hours of my life in this salon. I have never wanted a salon visit to end more than I did this one. I had my hair pulled the entire time and I informed her from the get go that I was tender headed. It took her over 2 hours just to puttee coloring my hair. I don’t have thick hair. All other stylists I have been tooth about 30minutes to apply the color solution to my hair. When I commented on how long it was taking she said that she hears that all the time. Well then, maybe you should consider what your clients are telling you. She said that she takes so long because she gets great coverage doing it that way. Other stylists get great coverage doing it in a normal amount of time. She took tiny little sections at a time and applied the color — I mean very tiny. She managed to get my hair tangled in the color application brush and ripped out some of my hair. She told me that’d never happened before. Yes, Dear, I have magic hair that just weaves itself into an application brush on it’s own. After washing, my hair was so tangled that it took me 15 minutes to comb it out — I wasn’t about to let her rip through it. I think she had it in the sink and was scrubbing back and forth like a pioneer doing laundry on a washboard, therefore tangling it into oblivion. Who does that to long hair? I think she was trying to give me dreads. She pulled my hair so much and so painfully that I was becoming visibly angry which seemed to escape her. I finally told her in no uncertain terms to STOP pulling my hair. I have been to many salons in my life and I have never experienced anything like this — she just didn’t get it. By the end of my torture session I wouldn’t even let her blow my hair dry. I didn’t want to need medical attention when she was done. I left in below freezing temps (25F) with wet hair.
I tried in vain to make conversation. It wasn’t really happening. Whenever I asked a hair related question I never was able to get a professional or technical answer. When I asked how long the color was going to last (and that’s exactly how I phrased it) she told me 20 minutes. Really? I didn’t ask how long the dye was going to be on my hair before it was rinsed off. Four different times during the process her dye slathered glove swiped my face laving smears of dye on it. She didn’t seem to notice. All I could think of was how ridiculous I was going to look later. I finally had to ask for a cloth to wipe it off. She brought one and started to wipe my face but she wasn’t wiping it where the color got on it. I ended up just doing it myself. I also had to ask that a barrier be put on the skin of my hairline so the dye didn’t stain it. It seemed tome that she thought this was a new idea. All other Aveda salons I have been to provided me that courtesy without having to be asked. And speaking of a courtesy, a hand massage is the trademark bonus of going to an Aveda salon — I was never offered one even though the stylist and client next to me were talking loudly about the one she was going to get. I didn’t ask for one because at that point it was clear things were not going well and there was tension. Plus I didn’t want to have to see an orthopedic surgeon if the hair pulling was any indication of the treatment I was going to receive. Someone else commented about the prices here being less expensive than other places — not sure what they are talking about — mine was $ 125.00 plus the tip (yes I left one even after how unpleasant my experience was). I had a few highlights put in, color and a trim. This was no life changing Oprah makeover, it as a simple job. My hair turned out darker than I wanted and darker than my natural color. I also have a not very subtle highlight streak on one side of my bangs. The weren’t weaved in to look «natural» at all. Bam! Highlight!
If you take a chance and go here please stop what’s going on if you’ll uncomfortable and ask to see the manager (I had to do that after he came by to check my highlights and told her to rinse them right away and she still hadn’t done so 15 unites later). When she first started to put the color lifter on for my highlights I asked her about the toner she was going to use. She told me she usually doesn’t put toner on highlights. What planet is she on? Was she going to leave me with brassy orange? That was about my 3^rd clue to run. I wish I had, The manager (or head teacher — not sure) came by and had to tell her to put toner on them. I was told that the stylists were not students but licensed professionals. I find that very hard to believe. This was by far the worst salon experience of my life. I have never… I will never go back. It’s as expensive as any other salon (not an issue –I don’t mind paying top dollar if I am going to get service that is commiserate with the cost –that’s how life works). Customer beware.

I came in looking to shine up and pizazz my dull and lackluster looking curly hair. I specifically requested and waited for a stylist that understands curly hair. I was looking for some professional advisement on the color, since I am not a, uh, stylist. I should have known right off the bat when the gal, who appeared to be around 19, nice as she was, seemed pretty clueless as to what to suggest. I was hoping she would take into account my skin tone, etc, and recommend an appropriate color for my tone and age. Finally, after just being annoyed at her lack of direction and how long this decision making process was taking and wanting to get on with it, I left it up to her ‘professional’ discretion.
Well, yikes, she was off the mark. The color looks a bit weird, like I’m wearing a wig or something. And so much for my curls (that honestly, many women try to emulate) or she being a curl expert… she all but insisted on giving me a blow dry and straightening my hair. I left not knowing who the hell I was. After an hour went home, showered, and got my nice curls back and tried to wash out some of the dark. Meh.

I should have done my homework better which is my bad. I love Aveda but the haircut I got here was not good at all. When I got home and washed my hair to style it the way I like, I realized it was completely uneven. I cut a few pieces myself so I can go to work without looking a fool but the fact I have to pay someone now to fix it is extremely frustrating.
I’m not saying not to go here, just be careful and do your due diligence before choosing a stylist.

I can’t actually rate on the service since I didn’t get to have mine, but I want to rate and comment on this location’s policy on tipping.
I realize cash only tipping comes up a lot in the service industry, but in a practically cashless carrying society this isn’t as much as a cost saving technique for the business as it is a hassle for the customer. I explained I wasn’t made aware of this until I was already on my way and I did not have access to (nor want to!) get cash from an ATM. I could not enjoy my facial or hair service knowing I could not tip the providers. The receptionists were un-​wiling to make an exception and let me put the tip on my card. I realize I could have mailed in a tip or whatever after the fact, but the sheer 5 extra hoops I was having to jump through to fulfill an unspoken obligation us gals have to those who cut our hair and wax our vaginas… UGH! Just not worth the hassle. This is just my feedback for the management. Exceptions can always be made especially for the convenience of a paying customer.
Now get off my lawn.

This is the only facial I’ve had since living in Denver. Since my skin is still adjusting to the dryness, I can’t really talk about the quality of the facial just yet. That said, I’m going back in four weeks and following the rec to add on a facial peel. It was very thorough so I expect great results for reasonable pricing.
Tracie was so kind and thoughtful in the experience. I really enjoyed the questions she asked in the beginning to truly customize the facial.
I don’t usually relax all that much in a facial. It’s not really my priority. I am just too flenchy while someone is touching me. The service room was right next to the little coffee shop. So every once and a while, you’d hear a blender fire up. Not a complaint, just made me want a frappé! I wish I had known before I got there that there was a coffee shop attached so I coulda given myself more time to partake. You can enter from the 17^th street for refreshments at Pure Café. I parked my bike right by that door once I figured it out.

This was the best hair cut experience I’ve had in Denver and it was very affordable.
I scheduled an appointment online with a master stylist. I’m not sure how you get the lower priced cuts with the students, so I just selected on of the master stylists whose schedule worked with mine. I was greeted by a really nice receptionist who offered me a drink. I waited about two minutes and then my stylist was ready to take me over to her chair.
The space is very modern, there are several chairs, but it wasn’t crowded at all.
Ellie cut my hair and she was awesome! It was one of the best cuts I’ve ever had. She cut off about 5 inches and was really nice, personable and energetic. The entire time she explained what she was doing and made sure we were on the same page. She listened to me and totally understood my vision for my new haircut. She took her time, but the whole cut took about an hour. I love that she also took the time to dry and style my hair and gave me tips on how to do it. I will definitely be back and I highly recommend visiting Ellie for a cut!

I booked with aveda because I wanted the best for what I was looking to do. I was very much let down. I booked an appointment to color my hair. Wanted to try this silver hair trend and aveda seemed like the place to go to achieve this. My first appointment was cancelled upon arrival because the receptionist failed to book us enough time. I came back with an entire day booked to get this project done and yet again we did not have enough time. I wanted a blue toned silver. I left the salon with blonde hair. We booked another appointment to go back and color it again. When I got there I told my stylist that I was fine with the blonde but that I would like it retoned with the lavender silver we had used the first time. I feel like I was completely ignored in my request. I left with my hair a mess. It’s blue black in some spots, blue in others, and the rest is just this gross looking blond that shows through. It has a greenish hue to it with the spots that were missed. I’m so disappointed I don’t even want to leave my house. I can’t believe how much was spent to make my hair look like an amateur disaster. Make sure the stylist knows exactly what you want and that they don’t run wild and do their own thing. I’m humiliated and mortified. I called to speak with the salon manager and was met with an excuse of «I will talk to [stylist] and an educater and call you back.» Still haven’t heard anything. I just want to be heard and walk out of this place satisfied for once.

I came here to get a full set of highlights and after two hours of sitting in that chair, they turned lavender. I was then there for another 2 hours while they put a color in my hair that turned out to be the same color that I came in with. I basically paid $ 200 for them to wash and dry my hair. Save your time and money and go anywhere besides aveda.

I moved here about a year ago and no one except my cousin has cut my hair in the last 8 years. Since the price would be so different I decided to participate in the pure talent program with aveda. I met Rachel in September and with a much needed hair cut, she did great! She is very honest, friendly, and most importantly, I think, relatable. She’s very easy to tell her exactly what you want done with your hair and if you’re open to suggestions she has great ideas. Her creativity shines through her scissors and professional personality. I will definitely be sticking with her as long as I am in Denver!!!

Jeremy cut and colored my hair. He is awesome! He really takes his time and is gentle with your hair. My color is amazing and I love the cut! I’ll definitely be back.

I went in for a full highlight. I was extremely disappointed by the way my hair turned out. I wanted blonde highlights but they look red now. Waste of time and money.

It’s a student salon and you can tell. Depending on who you get they may be really awkward or not very confident in cutting hair and doing color.
I’ve been trying to grow out my hair and needed a trim. I decided to go in and see Bella and she butchered me. I asked to get just a cm taken off and that is NOT what happened. She said that she was just evening things out in the back but I ended up losing 2 inches in some spots and left with so much product in my hair I took a shower when I got home.
Sure they have great prices. But it really isn’t worth it as I’ve just lost 6 months of hair growth to this hair cut. I definitely won’t be back.

I got my hair cut last week by Mymy and I could not be more happy. I am newish to the Denver area and am so happy that I know have a hair person I can count on. The staff is super friendly, the hair cut is on point and exactly what I wanted, and Mymy even showed me how to curl my hair with a straightener. I def recommend this place to everyone and will be back when I need another hair cut! Thanks Mymy!

I’ve been going here for at least three years now. I love Nichelle she does a great job and I always have a great time with her. I get my hair highlighted and cut. I also had my hair and make up done here for my wedding. I highly recommend Nichelle

I had a wonderful cut here from Grace! I would recommend her to anyone.
I don’t do much with my hair, but it was really long. I showed Grace a picture and was planning to get around 6″ cut off. I’m assuming this could completely terrify a stylist being a brand new customer! She was great, didn’t bat an eye. Great conversation, hair looks awesome, bangs look great. I will be back!

I have been here a number of times to get cuts by non-​students who have chairs in the space. The first time was o.k. The haircutter had no input when I asked for direction but luckily I brought in an image. The same for the second cut with another person. The third cut I came in for I found someone I really clicked with. She gave a great suggestion and I was prepared to hunker down with a stylist. I came in to see her 6 weeks later and again I left feeling great about her suggestions. I liked her work so much I scheduled several appointments through the year.
I suppose there may be a lot of turnover here because the Friday before my next cut the salon called to say my stylist was no longer with them and they did not have any further contact information for her. When I called back the receptionist was less than polite in asking what I wanted to do. I told her I would need a suggestion for a stylist and her suggestion was that I simply cancel my appointments. Not helpful. I left a message for the manager to offer a curly hair/​short hair recommendation and she did. I took the recommendation and can say it has been the worst cut of the 5. It is uneven and was looking like a puffy eraser head less than 2 weeks after the cut. Oh bother.
The most irritating thing was that by booking my appointments ahead of time I guess you get a discount. The salon offered me that discount when booking with this new person. After I got the cut the reception person did not honor any sort of discount when I mentioned all of this and was a little snot about the whole thing.
The discount was no big deal, the gesture would have been nice. My last interaction with this salon will keep me from going back. They are 3-​star with mediocrity because some stylists are great, some are simply haircutters. They are losing a star because the reservation and desk people have been snotty before.

The hair cuts where generally good. The issue is their stylist are in and out of there like a revolving door. I hate having a different stylist every other time.
My other piece of advice, they like to quote you one price then when you are done and paying they tell you it’s more. They have done this more than once so I no longer believe it was a miscommunication.
They are not bad for a one off cut but I no longer go here regularly.

I’ve been to this salon now two times and requested the same stylist both times. She did an amazing job both times. I do have a few complaints about setting up my appointment. I called ahead and a gentleman put me down for the stylist I asked for. However, when I arrived at the salon they had me assigned to someone else. I was a bit upset because I specifically asked for one person. After 10 – 15 minutes of them trying to figure out what happened I was able to see the one I requested.
Immediately the stylist remembered me. Noting that it would take longer to do my hair because I have ethnic thicker hair she increased the price to $ 45 or 50. I was just told at the front desk $ 30. I wasn’t happy with this surprise. I thought it was a bit unprofessional and I should I been warned ahead of time. She agreed to charge me $ 35 this visit but more the next. She did an amazing job however, I wont be back. I like to know ahead of time the pricing and have a smoother check-​in. I’m looking for a regular place to go to and I’m not sure this is the right place for me.
Note: make an appointment and check ahead of time for pricing

No.

I have FINALLY found my go-​to salon after a 2 year search!
I came here to get a bob cut, something I have never done before. Obviously, I was a little nervous as we were going to be cutting off quite a few inches. My stylist was Caitlin and she did a fabulous job!!! She did exactly what I asked for and made my hair look great!
I love the atmosphere of this place too. It’s fun and cute! It was also really nice to recieve a cup coffee while I was getting my hair cut.
I will definitely be returning!

It happens every once in a while in a woman’s life. She look in the mirror and thinks, «What the hell is wrong with my skin?!»
I’d been having that moment every day for about two months, so I finally decided it was time to do something about it. I bought a Groupon and I made an appointment to get a facial.
Go ahead, get all the jokes out of your system now, I’m probably going to say facial a few more times in this review. I’ll wait.
*pause*
Ok, I made the appointment for a 60 minutes facial and that’s exactly what I got. We had a consultation and then Rachel applied a whole bunch of awesome creams and whatnot for 60 full minutes. Not 45. 60. That right there gets them brownie points.
Before I went into the nice, dark, relaxing room, my esthetician, Rachel, sat down with me and we talked about the problems I’d been having. I melodramatically explained that I was turning into a lizard woman and that my skin was an uneven mess.
We decided from there that it would be a moisturizing and exfoliating facial (I told you to I’d be using that word a lot) and while the various applications sat on my face, I got a wonderful hand and arm massage and a foot massage too. It was a really wonderful, pampering experience.
Just a heads up, they have add ons for each facial that cost a little extra and they’ll ask you whether you want to upgrade or not once you’re in a blissfully relaxed state. For me, I added a plant peel or something to mine because I was desperate to fix my hideous face. It was $ 25 and it was worth, but you should probably be mentally prepared for those questions before you go in.
The room I was in was fairly large but Rachel was like a ninja in there. She was quiet, sweet and focused, which was perfect. I highly recommend her. We talked afterwards and I dropped some cash on good face products that she thought would help with my complexion.
The bottom line is that my face is freaking awesome now. The facial kick started the change from lizard woman to a lady with very soft, supple skin that I can’t stop touching.
You can touch it too as long as you aren’t a creep about it.

So, I just want to preface this review: I love my stylist (who doesn’t work here) and if she didn’t keep moving further out and working shorter hours I would have stayed totally faithful, but we finally got to a place where I literally can not find time that works for both her and I! So here I go finding a new place to get my hair done. Deep breath! The unknown is the scary part!!!
So how do you find a stylist (I’ve had mine for going on a decade)? You ask friends. OK, when you crap out on that front what the frickity frak is next? Unilocal of course!
Having moved jobs and now working downtown I really wanted a place I could go on lunch. Aveda Acacdemy seemed to have the perfect blend of good reviews and good location. I booked my initial hair cut through their website (I liked that you could see everyone and their prices up front so I wasn’t just going in blind). So here is where they lose a bit of a star — it is weird. While the appointment process is easy enough to do, they make you prepay (which I was OK with), but they don’t just take your credit card, no they make you buy a gift card for the amount?! Why? If you can process that transaction just skip the gift card thing and charge me. It was weird! But whatever.
Hair: I went to Anita and I loved her! She was friendly and helpful about care for my hair. Plus, she didn’t try get me to chop tons of inches off (whenever I have strayed I find that I get stylist who think I should be in a pixie or something) and she actually made my hair look and feel better than it has in a long time.
The place itself is crazy big. Everyone I encountered were friendly. I think I will go back and try a facial — oh and I will be back to see Anita in 6 weeks!