The Studio Aveda Salon

I’ll start with the positive — the customer service was good. Friendly staff. For the not so positive — I went in with short-​medium hair that I was hoping to have reshaped into more of a bob (like it was before). One major problem was that it had grown out bottom-​heavy (I have thick hair) and was flipping out. After the cut, I wasn’t super satisfied, but thought it might look better after I styled it my normal way using a flat iron. Besides, it’s always uncomfortable telling a stylist that you don’t like what she’s done. I was wrong, the thickness was still there and I had these boxy layers. Even after going back a second time to have another stylist fix the first attempt, I’m still not very happy with my hair. Overall, it’s just not a cute cut; I don’t feel confident walking around in it. The «touch up» helped, but I think it was too messed up from the start. It seems a little much to go back a third time.

Lemme preface this by saying that I am pretty picky with my hair. It’s thick, curly, and hard to cut. I used to drive to New Orleans just to get a decent haircut, but since school started back up I haven’t been able to do this. Eventually I decided to just start getting it cut locally again, but go for low maintenance cuts.
Cue The Studio. I’ve visited it three times so far, with three different people. The first visit was okay. I asked for an extremely simple close cropped haircut and it came out alright. Nothing special, but also definitely not worth the price.
Next time I went in I asked for a fade. They scrambled around confused for a bit and eventually grabbed a woman who claimed she had been practicing fades and had just taken some classes on them. She was EXCELLENT (both in the personality and skill department) and I really wish I could remember her name. It came out exactly how I wanted, and I MIGHT try The Studio again just to see if I can get another appointment with her.
Tonight, I went in asking for the same thing. A guy with an undercut came out and I got the impression he had no idea how to do a fade, so he had their «hair coach» walk him through it. She did half my head and he did the other half. It came out pretty terrible. I look like a King of the Hill character or something. They completely missed my description (I even brought a photo, come on) and went straight to military cut territory. When they finished the first half I mentioned how she had brought it up way too high and she sorta made a grumble as the guy quickly said «we’ll take note of that,» but the damage had already been done. I think they could tell I was displeased, as they kept mentioning how they offer complimentary touch ups within two weeks, but I get my fade down to a 0. It’s not like they can touch up much, especially since they already cut it too high.
Anyways, my main problems with this place are consistency and price. Hattiesburg is a small town, but it charges almost as much as a trendy uptown salon in New Orleans (with inconsistent results, depending on who you get). For some the bonuses like massages and tea might make up for it, but frankly I don’t give a damn about those and just want to look good. As someone who has to get their hair cut pretty often, the cuts need to be top notch if I’m going to consistently pay a higher price than the average place. If money is no object and you can find a stylist who cuts your hair well there are no real issues, but I’m just not convinced their entire staff is up to the task.

The new Zen room is a fantastic place to rest while waiting between treatments. They soaked my feet in a warm copper kettle bath, gave me a complimentary foot massage and otherwise helped me truly relax in this peaceful space. My new cut and other treatments look great — my stylist listened to my concerns and gave me an easy care look.

I absolutely love the friendly, professional and talented staff at the Studio. They’re often pretty busy, so appointments are a must, but it is so worth the wait. Some of the best haircuts of my life have come from this salon!

I chose this salon by Unilocal ratings. It was dangerous, I was from out of town and had time on my hands, usually not a good combination. This place is FABULOUS. They were booked, but one stylist, Kasha, had a cancellation, so they worked me in. She was personable, competent and pleasant to visit with. I received a hand massage while she was cutting my hair, it was so relaxing. The massage therapist suggested places in Hattiesburg to visit and eat.
As a new client, I received a certificate for a free massage when I visit again. My experience was wonderful & I will definitely visit when I’m in town.

Love this place!

Professional service, keeps me coming back. When I was new to Hattiesburg I tried 2 other salons before I started coming to the Studio. A friend had recommend it to me. It took me 3 visits of trying the different stylists to find the one that I like best, but each time I was pleased with my haircut so I kept coming back. Now I ask for Kasha every time. I have straight, but thick hair and she does a great job cutting it to make it more manageable. She is also very friendly, but not nosy like I feel hair stylists sometimes are. It is a little expensive, but not ridiculously so. It’s worth it!
If you sign up for their emails you can get special email deals like 15−20% off last minute appointments for that week. I am a college student, so I take advantage of this!
I have also had a pedicure done here by Kayla, she does wonderful work and is also very friendly. I have recommend a friend to the Studio for a haircut and she was happy with the results as well.
Sometimes I do have to wait, even if I am on time for my appointment, but I have never had to wait more than 10 – 15 minutes. Most of the time I wait about 5 minutes or so.
By the way, because they are an Aveda salon, when you check out and pay they will introduce you to the Aveda products that the stylist used on you. I have never felt pressured to buy these items, I just say no thanks. (My hair is pretty low maintenance.) Don’t feel obligated to buy the Aveda products if you don’t want to.
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Great place. I’ve had my hair worked on by several of the people there. The service is wonderful.
But, by far, the best part of the place is the spa. Quite often, they run 50% off spa services deals. The massage therapist is amazing. A 60-​minute massage, by an amazing masseur, for $ 30 is a steal. I’ve also had a pedicure and facial there by other licensed professionals. I have nothing about raves for this business.