Aveda Institute Toronto

I made an appointm t at the hair school for highlights.
I was given one of th junior students, but she did an excellent job. Her educator was very involved throughout. The colour turned out amazing and I am very happy. After tax it only cost $ 48 which is amazing!
The only downside is she was very bad at brushing and de Tangling!
Also it took 3 hours whichis longer than normal.
That being said I will definitely return.

I was very hesitant to have my hair done at aveda because of the very mixed reviews on Google and Unilocal.I’m very happy I decided to get my hair done. I got partial hi lights and they turned out great. I’m at a level 6 and wanted a shade or two lighter and I got just that with ashy tones which is what I asked for. The girl who did my hair was professional and nice. She didn’t try to have those awkward conversations that some hair dressers try to do. I really appreciate that because my current situation in life isn’t that great and I rather not be asked about it. My only complaint was that she didn’t actually style my hair which I asked prior if it would be and she did initially say yes. She pretty much dried my hair with a dryer and sent me on my way. My hair was frizzy, dry and slightly damaged from of course being hi lighted. I was all the way downtown and had to trekk 2 hours back home in the burbs. I wanted to at least feel confident which I didn’t. I ended up putting my hair in a ponytail once I left and was down the street. I really wish she took even 5 – 10 mins to flat iron my already naturally straight, slight kinked at the ends hair. I would definitely go back here tho but I’d be more vocal in letting them know I’d like my hair ironed.
*I’ve now been here twice, both on the main floor and upstairs. I am impressed with my results both times. I got what I came for and have left happy with the color of my hair. I will continue to trek down here because the 2 hour bus and subway ride is worth it.

The best possible hair school. Great service from
Front end staff and students to the educators. Everyone is very knowledgable and professional. Remember if you’re getting a new student, THEY ARE NEW! So it takes more time but very worth it overall.

I would recommend the Aveda institute for straightforward things like a cut or root touch up color. I wouldn’t recommend the Institute for hair correction or brunettes/​black-​haired ladies and gents going blonde (the trickiest tasks).
I’ve spent the last ten years blonde, so i have become pretty well versed in all things blonde: what is realistic, what to expect, how hair reacts, what is impossible, what is too much too soon, etc. I also went to art school and my sister is a stylist in another city, so I know basic color theory, which helps me understand the technical stuff.
In my several trips to the Institute, I have twice had my roots lifted too light and left barely toned. Basically, I walked out with light yellow roots that made me look slightly crazy, like an old Billy Idol plus a foot of medium blonde hair.
The first time the yellow strip was small enough and just dark enough that i was able to manage it myself with a toning conditioner. The second time it was so pale and so YELLOW and too long to manage on my own. I thank g*d for a visit to my sister for a proper toning job (which cost me another $ 50 in supplies. Oh, and the plane ticket.). This was after I tried purple shampoo and conditioner which made the roots light blue since they were so porous and over-​lifted. My sis ended making the roots much darker to balance things out, meaning the extra levels Aveda bleached my hair caused unnecessary damage.
You’ll notice that other blondes on this review page have had somewhat similar experiences with bad toning and patchy work. While I think the students are sweet and try their best, this makes me think the educators are often out to lunch. Blonde needs a LOT of attention as its processing, especially on the scalp. «Hot roots» are a rookie mistake and since I signed a waiver for a rookie to do my hair, I have to wonder about the educators who are supposed to stop the rookies from making mistakes. The tone that I have left the salon with also gives me the feeling that the education here doesn’t involve much time on trends in 2015. Yellow-​y blonde was okay in the Pam Anderson days, but not any more. My sister told me if I left her salon with the yellow I left Aveda with, she’d be in major trouble with the owners.
For something simple, I think the Institute is a great bet. If you have doubts or know your hair is in a bit of trouble, spend the extra dough and head somewhere that more experienced stylists can give you solid focus and attention.
PS: 1) I have never been given product samples. What gives?!! and 2) I was immediately put with an institute student when I called for a consult. I am wondering why I wasn’t recommended to or given the option of seeing an academy student/​grad/​etc.

I’ve been here about about 4 times and am giving it 3 stars because of a few different things. I have thick hair that is naturally very dark brown and that is a very ashy blonde now, every time I get my hair done it takes longer than the time I am scheduled in for and every time I call I tell them this and they still say that 1.5 hours is the max they can book in for a colour. The students and instructors are always rushing to finish my hair in the short time frame and usually ask me why I didn’t book a longer time, and every time I tell them I talked with the receptionist for 10 mins telling them I need more time and they wouldn’t do it. In two of these appointments I was left with darker/​orangey roots that didn’t match my hair because they didn’t have enough time to bleach it to the correct shade. So I then go home and after spending $ 45-​$ 70 ish dollars have to buy toner and try to fix it myself. Other than this the stylists I’ve had have been very nice, and there’s only one instructor that I didn’t like too much (just because she was stressed that my hair wouldn’t be done and kept telling me I should have went to a more advanced student two different times).
A few times I’ve called to make appointments the receptionists are either rude or have no idea what I’m talking about hair wise (aren’t they hairstylists?) and I am not using crazy descriptive words, just things like «bleach my re growth» and «tone my entire head».
Another thing I dislike is there’s no parking so I have to drive around for half hour to find somewhere to park and then pay like an extra $ 20 — which is expected downtown so I’m not blaming them, just find it annoying.
So, though I’ve had some bad experiences, the prices are really decent and the students are pretty friendly, as long as you don’t mind sitting there for a few hours and your hair possibly being hit or miss-​if what you’re getting done isn’t really simple and takes some time (they are students though so I’m not being as critical). I’ve left and had to fix my hair colour myself once or twice, but I have had 1 or 2 really great experiences also!

I’ve been waiting to write this review — basically waiting for 5 haircuts before I did, and surprisingly I have never had a bad experience.
My haircuts with institute students were pleasant, in the area code of what I wanted, albeit long — but I knew what I was getting into. I have long, straight, thick hair and it takes a while (read forever) to cut it. The students listen to what you want, let the educators know, and there’s a good feedback loop going on in the 2.5−3 hours it takes to cut, blow dry and style the hair. $ 40 bucks with tax/​tip — umm, well, depends on how you value your time but the service level is def. there!
Academy students is why I think this place rocks! I recently got an excellent haircut. Big shout out to Casey who cut it so much better than I had envisioned. Back massage, head massage, tea — and best of all — done and done in an hour! Woot! Worth upgrading to academy for $ 10-​$ 15 extra bucks and saving tons of time :) My go-​to place!

‘Twas my first visit to the institute and I’m hooked! To all the «men» who’ve never set foot outside the old school barber scene, you have no idea what you’re missing. From the relaxing massage to the final rinse; it’s an extraordinary experience from end to end. Walk in an animal-​walk out a movie star, it’s that simple. Big thanks to Maxine, you’re living proof out what the institute creates– congrats!

I had a terrible experience here, the first visit and the correction visit.
Correction visit:
The girl who messed up my hair the first time had the audacity to come up to my colorist, pull her to the side and ask her about why I came back. I was at the sink toning my hair but I could see and hear them in the corner talking smack about me. WOW. You had a client who had the guts to speak up about being unhappy with their hair and giving you a chance to correct your work– and this is how the Aveda institute teaches their future hair stylists to react?
The educators are really stubborn and some get in your face and are very rude. Leslie accused me of not understanding that these are students. She talked down to me as if I was dumb and knew nothing about hair– my hair was already so damaged but she said they can either tone my hair again (useless, not lifted high enough) or they can bleach it AGAIN. The educator really did not care about the integrity of my hair AT ALL. I asked to just have a darker dye brushed over the brassy highlights and she REFUSED. Darkening my hair costs less than another highlighting service but Leslie said that she could not do a «totally new service». Sometimes, a totally «new» service is the only way to fix poorly bleached hair– not bleaching your client’s hair again and permanently frying it. I ended up getting my hair toned only.
First visit:
I had a really bad reaction to the bleach + back combing + rough handling (brushing viciously when hair was wet)– I got sore spots on my scalp and a lot of hair breakage.
My hair was not lifted to a high enough level to be toned. I was left with brassy orange hair (after toner) and kept being told to buy Blue Malva products so that my hair would get ashy tones over time. I heard the educator say to the student «you should have used at least a 25 volume». They insisted that I needed to be realistic after telling me that they could lift my hair to a ashy dark blonde. They pretended I was mistaken when I told them I knew you could not tone hair that wasn’t lightened enough.
I called to speak with a manager who was very sweet and asked me to come in to have a color fix– as long as the price of the service was the same, they could do it.
Verdict:
I was in tears on my way home from this place. TWICE. Honestly, avoid this place if you’re not willing to risk having a total hair disaster. I can’t believe I paid $ 90+ to be abused. I’m so put off from the Aveda brand as a whole.
Never ever coming back.

The hair stylist in Aveda are fairly stubborn, especially for the educators (based on numerous experience), they do not let you do what you wish to do so I went to Sasoon Academy in Yokville, it turns out to be great, they give me what I wanted!

This was not my first visit to Aveda, nor my first time getting my hair done by a student. While I only come for blowouts (ridiculous cheap when done by the newer/​first year students), I quite like the location and the atmosphere inside Aveda.
I just want to mention that if you’re visiting, you need to understand that these people are learning their craft. I have curly hair. If I try to straighten my hair it takes 40 mins. If a professional in a salon does it. It takes 40 mins, $ 40 and it looks far sleeker than when I do it. If I go to a student, I’m not going in an hour before an event. In fact I go in way earlier.
This particular visit took me 2 hours. That’s a long time. But I understood that it might and went in 3 hours before work (which was a half hour try travel away). Similarly, Aveda understands that you didn’t come in for a 2 hour blowout and offer all compensations. I got a free make up touch up (just lip gloss), a free product sample and I believe a couple dollars shaved off my blowout (although this I’m not 100% sure about).
Another thing is, I know that even in an institution like Aveda, treating and straightening curls is not something that students encounter as much as straight or wavy hair. Hell, expensive salons don’t know how to handle curls well! So I’m always thankful for the TAs who ce by to check up on the students and go in and fix any areas that aren’t perfect.
Four stars might seem like a lot when you consider how long a blowout might (and in this case did) take. But I’m also giving these stars for service (offering you beverages, often giving head or hand massages, and throwing in comp services/​items), plus the overall attitude and atmosphere inside the institute. I think it’s a win-​win situation. They get learning experience and you get services done for a fraction of salon pricing!

I’ve never had a good experience here. It’s always lacklustre, even painful.
When I wanted my hair short, they never got it short enough.
The student stylists tamely snip at small bits and aren’t capable of adding any shape to the cut.
On one particularly bad occasion (and my last visit there), the student was a middle aged woman out to try a second carreer. She was terrible at it.
Her neck massage technique was very rough and she caused me a lot of pain.
I physically recoiled and told her to stop and she insisted the massage would be nice.
No lady. Just no.
That ‘massage’ has caused extreme sensitvity on the left side of my neck (the tissue there is physically softer than my right side) and I experience motion sickness now years later because of it. Yes, I saw a doctor and an RMT about this.
Have not and will not ever go back to this salon.

I’ve been to Aveda once for a wash and style and a few times for a haircut — all by institute students. Try and call a couple weeks ahead to book an appointment as their appointments book up pretty quickly.
All my visits have been pleasant — everyone is very pleasant and friendly. Part of the Aveda experience is they offer you a coffee/​tea when you first arrive and also a nice head massage. I also love the Aveda products they use on your hair during your appointment. However, do keep in mind that your appointment will very likely take about 2 hours for a pretty simple haircut (a trim).
My main gripe with the institute students is that they don’t really listen to what I want when it comes to layering my hair — I have pretty thick hair and I always ask them to take some bulk off; of the 3 times I’ve been there only 1 time did the stylist kind of listen to me and take some bulk off — but that’s only after I repeated to the educator that I wanted my hair layered and to take some bulk off.
I’d recommend getting a haircut by an institute student if you have pretty thin hair and are looking for a pretty simple haircut.
If you have a SPC card you do get 10% off their services; with the 10% off a haircut by an institute student comes out to be ~$ 27.

So sad and disappointed.
My highlights turned out nothing like the picture I brought to show the colorist.
Now there are grey blonde streaks in my black hair that makes me look 20years older. My hair is super dry throughout and there is breakage at the roots.
Plus I have blisters all along the hairline and scalp… help!!! I have coloured my hair many times before including at Aveda and had never had this reaction.
Plus I had an advanced graduate this time and added $ for a botanical hair treatment to condition the hair.
Now I am stuck with this for at least a month or two until my reaction settles down and my hair and scalp recuperates.
I have always loved Aveda but this time was a total let down unfortunately.

I usually go to Aveda on Queen/​Civello but I just can’t justify spending $ 250+ on my hair anymore. I knew Aveda institute would operate at a high level and had heard very good things. Overall I was satisfied although the grey parts near my face were not highlighted (that’s the first part I mentioned)!; I also thought the back of my hair looks ridiculous. Too straight and thick with no shape or contour or texture whatsoever. If the rest of my hair was blunt that would make sense but it isn’t. Now it just looks like an amateur cut my hair. Get it. It’s a school after all. It’s not a deal breaker but I don’t know when I’ll have the time to get it fixed.
The staff and instructors were professional and friendly.

I’ve always had stubborn, asian, black hair; and I’ve gone through a million (chinese, korean, boutique) salons only to feel disappointed from the results that fell short [significantly] from the picture I showed the barber. Now that i want to colour my virgin hair, I didnt want to risk going to a random chinese salon to get it done for cheap, nor pay an arm and a leg for something that may not even look good. So after reading many raving reviews, I decided to give Aveda a try. Here’s my summary of the pros and cons.
Pros:
— my colour consultation was EXTREMELY helpful in figuring out what type of colour would look good on me. I wanted a subtle but evident ombré (on short black hair) and the staff didnt just agree with all of the pictures i showed her. She advised me on what type of cut would accentuate the texture and colour of my hair. Consultation is also FREE.
— I had an advanced graduate cut my hair (Casey) and she was definitely worth every penny. She checks up with me every so often to see if the length and style is what I wanted. The instructor was also there giving feedback which makes me feel even more at ease about a student cutting my hair.
— FREE HEAD AND NECK MASSAGE. ‘Nuff said.
— relatively cheap for a high quality cut. I paid $ 40+tax for my haircut and it didnt look like one of those freshly-​cut hair look you normally get from cheap asian places.
— they offer u drinks when you come in
— FREE SAMPLES of their product.
Cons:
— expect to book appointments two weeks in advance to get a spot. Consultations are drop ins.
— normal cut and style takes about 1.5 hr. Full colouring will take about 3.5hr at least. So be prepared to be there for quite some time.
— wear crappy clothes. Their robes are not the best at keeping hair off ur clothes.
I have my hair colouring appointment 2 weeks after my cut so I will update this review in a few weeks.

I wasn’t looking forward to spending a lot for a simple hair cut, so decided to give it a try at Aveda with an Institute Student.
The girl talked to me a lot and understood what I was looking for, she was very careful but there wasn’t any educator watching her.
She cut my hair dry so I didn’t get to have a full style after all — it was just flat.
I enjoyed how they give you a scalp massage at the beginning and a makeup touch up at the end.
They really try to sell their products, which are good but pricey.
I would definitely come back.

COLOR:
Had my hair colored by Eric (he’s a graduate of the school). He did a great job and I will back. I had previously been to see the director but I didn’t see any difference in the service so I’ll stick with Eric. Cost was ~$ 73 for shoulder length hair.
I used to go to Parlour on Ossington but they charged more and they used heat after applying the color, whereas here at Aveda they just let the color get absorbed in naturally, so I’m sticking to Aveda from now on.

I’ve gone to Civello which was part of the Aveda family of hair salons, and thought I’d get my hair cut at the institute instead. My hair cut experience was with a senior stylist and she (sorry I cannot remember her name) was really great.
I will definitely be returning here the location is close to my work and the price is really good.
If money is not a big issue then I suggest booking with a more senior stylist if you want a quicker/​better quality haircut. They’re more advanced in their skills and have had more experience.
Make sure you grab a bite /​drink to eat before your appointment so you don’t get hangry in the middle of it.

Overall, I had a good experience here. I have my normal hairdresser, who I’ve been seeing for 13 years, but I got a call for an interview and she couldn’t fit me in within the next few days. I’m typically a blonde, but every 2 years or so, I go a dark brunette for a change, and last month I started the process of going back blonde, so my hair was an in between colour. I’m pretty skeptical of going to new people (especially for blonde) and I knew it would be tough for someone to get the colour just right, and back to what it was, just by showing pictures.
Anyways, I came here on the recommendation of a friend. Toronto prices for hair colour are absolutely outrageous (in my opinion, since where I normally go, it’s under $ 100 for full highlights and a cut), and this place came in cheaper than most. I chose an «advanced graduate» to do my full head of highlights for the price of $ 145. I couldn’t bring myself to choose a student for the cheaper price-​not with an interview coming up! They were able to take me the day after I called and they even started me about 10 minutes early.
The girl was lovely and I showed her a few pictures of what I liked and also pictures of myself so she could see what it used to look like. At first I was a little unsure of the colour, but after a day, I realized it’s perfect and I love it. I was probably unsure only because it’s been 9 months since I’ve seen myself blonde!
The only reason I’m taking off a star is because of the way my hair was blow dried. It was just done with a flat paddle brush, with absolutely no style to it. And it was only dried about 80% before she told me I was all done. I mean, I was only going home after, so it didn’t really matter, but I would have liked my hair to be completely dry…
In a pinch where I’m unable to get in to my regular salon, I would absolutely come back here.
2 last things:
–they give a great little neck massage! Score!
–they take the SPC card, which saved me 15%. Awesome.

I came here based on reviews from here and lets face it the low price tag!
At first I was nervous that someone i was unfamiliar with would be touching my hair (I am a one hairdresser kinda woman) but since my usual hairdresser is 3500 miles away in England (my home) I had to bite the bullet!
I was with a girl called Hunter and she was so friendly and professional and kept me chatting the whole 4.5 hours I was in there! She assessed me hair and its condition, type and needs thoroughly and took a look at a few pictures of the style I wanted before setting to work.
I opted for dark blonde ombré on my dark brown hair and I am still happily walking around Toronto with the style!
The only thing I was taken aback by is the technique they use here to do the foils, they backcomb your hair?! and since I am TERRIBLY hair sore it was not a pleasant experience, in fact it was the most painful thing that has ever happened to me when she tried to comb it all out when washing for about half an hour! This has really put me off returning for the same style :(
Other than that I will be returning when it needs cutting.
I was a little surprised that everything added on to the price, Foils are X amount (I dont remember the exact) then if you wanted it toning, which of course I did since id had dark brown hair bleached, it was an extra $ 15 and then to have it styled which was curling in my case, was another $ 15 or so… so if you go for the low budget then I suggest bearing all these add on in mind.
All in all I walked out feeling like I stepped out of a Wella advert ahem I mean AVEDA advert: p and I was complimented all day!