Aveda Institute Portland Salon

I love the Aveda salon. The facials are amazing. I’ve had two facials and will return. The whole experience was relaxing and professional.
My haircut has some issues and will need to be fixed. The instructor told the student to «take out some weight» and I now have very short thin hair with random chunks. Aveda is on winter break, so I’ll go to a regular salon. I probably won’t get my hair cut there again.
That said, I know they are learning and this is how they learn.

Do not go here for the nail service. Went for a shellac manicure and they didn’t have the proper equipment to do the removal or even a manicure.

Pro’s: Reasonable prices, accommodating hours, friendly staff, relatively clean, convenient location
Con’s: Product push, loud music, stylists look shabby, small parking lot
So I went to the Aveda Institute to get a manicure and pedicure. I just wanted something simple and didn’t want to go to Portland. The appointment started off well, I was offered something to drink which is always nice and my manicurist was prompt in coming to get me.
My needs are pretty simple — one spa I used to go to called them sports manicures. Basically take care of things but little to no polish. (don’t usually polish my fingernails but do polish my toenails.)
Things started to go south a bit during the procedure — typically manicures and pedicures (especially in tandem) have their own rhythm and this was off. First the nails were done. With both hands, the nails were cut dry. The cuticles were pushed back but a little too aggressively so my the skin around my fingernails are a little sore today. I don’t like nail files so I requested that they not file too much. I think this combined with the dry cut resulted in somewhat sharp nails. All the implements were either newly sterilized or brand new. The manicurist was very pleasant but she had that tentativeness that comes with inexperience and/​or youth. Also, after the nails were cut, they were dumped on the floor instead of dumping the remains from the towel into a bin. Not too aesthetically pleasing.
Next, we did my pedicure. They didn’t have any colors in the selection but we discussed colors I liked after my appointment was over and she allowed me to select colors off a tablet so I could have them the next time I visit. She tried very hard to please. The pedicure was better although she didn’t have any of the cuticle clippers and so it felt like a partial job; in addition, the foot scrubber didn’t get all the dry skin off my heels. My feet have been taking a beating lately and the heels were more dry than usual; consequently, they feel a little rough still. The part I liked best was the salt scrub with what was presumably almond oil. That’s better than a foot massage any day.
I think I will try it again at least once more to make sure that this wasn’t just one odd experience since the manicurist was so nice and accommodating. I’m going to give them the benefit of the doubt with three stars. It wasn’t bad, it just wasn’t quite right.
They also have a stamp card where if you get three (separate visit) services, you get a free facial or haircut which is a nice touch.
I was there for about an hour and fifteen minutes but it didn’t feel like it. For 31.00, that’s a pretty good price for the time spent.

I can’t imagine why Aveda has this ridiculous price structure. Apparently the farther along in the term the student is, the more they charge for services. However, clients are not told that over the phone, nor at the time of their appointment, only after they’re in the chair having a consultation. And there’s no advantage to the student to have the client be charged more, it just makes them ornery. It would be so much easier if they had flat rates. It’s not like they can guarantee work — I’ve had new students give me excellent hair for way cheap, and hands down the worst experience I’ve had was with a student about to graduate. Then on top of that it can get more expensive DURING the appointment, depending on how much product is used — something you the client can’t control. I get it that there are product costs, so make your flat rate reflect that. People get their hair did at beauty schools for only one reason — it’s cheap.
Remember when going to a beauty school: be really clear about what you want, make sure they’re clear about how much it will be, and make sure you’re clear with the instructor about what you want. Don’t leave anything up to the student — be strong. You might think you should be nice and give them leeway, but this is a learning environment and students need to learn how to communicate with clients.
I would say pricing structure, client communication and student professionalism are the factors which need improvement at Aveda. The instructor involvement is extremely minimal — sometimes not at all. So you the client are on your own against a child with a bucket of chemicals aimed at your head.
I had a very tough learning experience at Aveda recently, and I realized I must to trust myself and be firm about what I want, and to ASK QUESTIONS. Ask on the phone how much it will be, ask how it can be cheaper, as the student how they’re going to achieve the look you want to have, reiterate your desires and ask what happens if you’re not happy with their work.
I will be trying Paul Mitchell next time to see if the students are a little more professional there.

Walked in for a haircut today and had a great experience. My stylist gave me a thorough consultation. Took a little while but am so pleased with the result. She was great about consulting her instructors with any questions as well. And I received all of the aveda rituals. Great experience and I’ll definitely be back!

This was my first experience going to a beauty school for any type of service. I have been in search of a spa that does facials for a reasonable price. I must say I was pleasantly surprised by the setting and the student who gave me the facial. I was greeted as soon as I walked in the door and my student came to get me about 2 minutes later. She led me downstairs to a large room divided into treatment areas by heavy curtains.
The whole experience was meant for relaxation, and she succeeded. The instructor came in once to oversee what products to use on my skin type. The facial included a hand massage after a mask was applied to my face.
My student had a very light touch performing the various aspects of the facial and massage. I would have preferred a bit more pressure. But for $ 25 for a full hour and fifteen minutes I have no complaints and would go again.

It’s a hit or miss depending on the student you get, but their prices are so affordable, products smell so good, and tea is DISTINCTLY DELICIOUS.

From the moment i walk in, it’s so welcoming and relaxing. The receptionist check me in, kindly offer some herbal tea and trust me you would want a refill, the tea instantly give u the zen :)
I have katey as my stylist, she is very friendly yet professional not too chatty which give me the relax .
Her sculpt/​shoulder massage is amazing. I can’t believe I’m in a school n getting all this pampered !
I think she is a sophomore or junior in cutting I forgotten but she did amazing job on my concave cut! I totally love it ! Will be back to try their nail n color service!

I usually go to the Portland location near where I live, but decided to check out this new campus that opened in January of this year. The place is nice and I’d definitely visit again if I’m near the area.
I got a haircut here yesterday during a lunch break from work. I let Alyssa know that I was looking for a no frills, low maintenance haircut, A-​line haircut. She did a great job!
Shout out to Alyssa and instructor Penny for the fast and friendly service.
My favorite things about Aveda: their products, the tea, the service is generally great, and the facials.

I have been here 2X’s now for facials, and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE AVEDA Institute. I was a regular customer in Portland, and I am SO excited we now have a Vancouver location. Amazing products, love the location and PARKING. Happy, happy AVEDA customer!

A beautiful, clean, friendly and professionally run school welcomed in Vancouver! Yeah Aveda Institute Vancouver!

I truly enjoyed my experience here at the Aveda Institute in Vancouver. This beauty school is spa like when you walk in and very clean and organized throughout the entire place. I was greeted upon entering and offered some Aveda Tea. Well this was perfect because it was cold out and just what my throat needed!
I was a hair model for Tara a student there and I was completely pampered from the beginning to the end! I was just there to be a model for a simple hair cut and I was truly treated like a queen!
I got a hand massage with lotion, then a shoulder massage then a head massage. I wasn’t expecting that at all so that was a wonderful thing after a long long day!
The products they use here smell really good and are also organic and healthy for you!
Tara was very professional and made sure I was comfortable the entire time.
ALSO. for being the model I got the entire thing done for free.
I will definitely be coming back when they need me to!
Thanks Tara!