Aveda Academy

DO NOT EVER GO HERE! This place is wildly unprofessional and you will be a guinea pig for a bunch of clueless people. I went for grey root touch up, which I usually do at home, and 4 ¹⁄₁ hours & 5 treatments later emerging with a burning scalp (still hurts) and red clown-​colored hair. I asked for natural color to match mine over & over and I look like a teenager who was experimenting at home. This is the WORST salon experience I have had in my life. They refused to correct it and now I have to spend hundred of dolors with a PROFESSIONAL to look somewhat like I looked before. Truly, I look ridiculous. They also promised me a refund but when I spoke to the woman later on the phone to get it (the school and the registers had closed by the time I left) she said that she couldn’t give it to me. 2 more phone calls later I got it — or she just took my credit card information and is using it, obviously I wouldn’t put it past them. PLEASE DO NOT go I wish I read this before I took this risk.

Jimmy Keaton. That is all! LOL :)
I’ve been coloring my hair with Jimmy since 2009 — and I refuse to let anyone else touch it! As a Master Colorist for Aveda, Jimmy KNOWSSSS what he’s doing and the best of it is that he’s great with textured hair. Every single time I have my color done people are constantly asking «Where did you get your hair colored?». Over the years I have sent him many clients who have all raved about him and have loved him all the same. Even when he’s over booked (I mean, everyone wants him for the same thing!) I hold tight and fight the crazy urge to box-​dye my hair (*gasp*) or go into somewhere else… nope! Instead, I hold out and rock my roots as best as possible. Jimmy is amazing and has become such a great friend over the years. He is wonderful at what he does.
The location is amazing and very relaxing and the staff is exceptionally knowledgeable. I seriously hate going to salons of all sorts because I hate waiting, hate sitting still, it all irks me but going into this Aveda location is nothing but a treat!

So, this is going to be a long one…
This review is regarding a perm I got about 3, maybe 3 ½ months ago from Tom that is long over due. I wanted to write the review for two reasons; A. Tom was professional, detail oriented, friendly and most importantly talented! And B. because there are no damn perm reviews online (except digital perms), like seriously none!
Now, I know it’s 2014 and perms for the most part still have the reputation of making you look like a poodle. But, for ladies with fine hair that just hangs down, doing nothing for your face, you should seriously consider getting a perm!
As a veg, I was displeased to learn that perms not only contain animal ingredients but are also tested on animals. Luckily for me, Aveda produces they’re own unique animal free perming solutions.
When I called the VanDam location Tom was recommended to me as a seasoned perm stylist so I booked a consultation with him. Now, just a warning the perm was pricey, $ 75 an hour.
But, I thought that perhaps the perm would end up taking around 2 hours but actually totaled 4.5 hours. I’ll admit, although Tom was friendly and professional, I debated weather or not the perm should actually take that long.
Well, my mind was put at ease when few days later I decided to call Tom to ask about a few ‘curls’ which I was not pleased with. I myself am a perfectionist and I was not happy with some of the straight locks of hair amongst the curls. He was very concerned, and we scheduled a follow up appointment. He ended up re-​perming a few sections of hair which took about 2.5−3 hours, all for free. Not only that, he also had me come in the following week to check and style my curls, also for free! So after the entire perming process was completed I was left very happy with the time and money I put into the perm.
My curls were tight, natural, and full of body! I am absolutely thrilled with the results! I highly recommend curls for lady’s/gents with flat and/​or fine hair like myself. Now 3 months later my curls have tamed somewhat, they hang softer but are still shapely and full of body. I will definitely be scheduling a follow up perm in about 9 months or so, when there is a significant amount of grow out. Sooooo happy I invested in my perm!

I was told that there were no free or discounted haircuts from the students learning. She acted like I asked her a crazy question and told me that it might be a different Aveda WTF? Idiot

Why would you go to any other place. I go here for spa all the time. Aveda products, aveda method, super affordable prices. Whist the ambience maybe a little of the teaching side (curtains instead of walls, you can hear people speak and doors slam etc), I found therapist were always very good. Be prepared it may take longer than you expect it to though

I’ve now visited the academy twice and will definitely not be going back or recommending this school to anyone. My first visit was for a super light trim and an overall color to cover a few scattered greys. I specifically asked for my color to be completely natural and match the color of my hair, just wanted to cover my greys. My color came out SUPER dark at which time I was told «it will fade» — well here I am 6 months later and people who I haven’t seen for a while still say «your hair looks really dark». So much for fading.
I went back again the other day for another simple trim and to get bangs cut. After a painful 2 hours with an «almost graduated» stylist, I knew I was getting a terrible cut. I have very straight easy to deal with hair just past my shoulders and was asking for a trim and bangs. The instructor came over 3 different times and had to give the stylist more instruction and kept telling her that the haircut was uneven. The bangs were as well cut terribly. Very blunt and awkwardly chunky and uneven when I had asked for feathered side swept bangs. I asked the instructor to fix the bangs saying I felt they were too chunky, so she did a little trimming. They were still terrible.
On top of the bad haircut, the sales pitch of Aveda product here is uncomfortably awkward. The instructor audibly scolded the student in front of me for not trying to sell me additional products and services. AWKWARD!!!
I then proceeded to Salon 13 in the East Village to get my cut fixed (Angie did an amazing job!!!) — when I told her that I had gotten the cut at Aveda, she could not believe that an instructor had signed off on such a terrible job.
If you want to put your head of hair in the hands of an inexperienced stylist and instructors who sign off on crummy work, then proceed to the Aveda academy. Otherwise, shell out the money and go to a real salon.

Peter is amazing! I am so lucky a friend recommended him. I have short curly/​wavy hair and he truly understands how to cut it. I’ve had my share of bad haircuts, as some people just don’t know how to cut short, curly hair. Peter has mastered it! I’m a little particular & sometimes timid to try new styles. I feel so confident with Peter’s abilities that I look forward to trying new variations/​styles of my short cut. He always makes it fresh and exciting.
Can’t tell you how many times strangers stop me and ask, «Where did you get your haircut.» Love that and it always makes me feel good and smile!!!
Furthermore, everyone at Aveda Vandam is truly helpful and friendly. The staff is professional and considerate. I always feel super comfortable visiting the salon.

I just wanted to share that if you have curly hair– Jimmy is your magician. Seriously, he is such an incredible stylist and colorist you will be thrilled to have worked with him. Jimmy has been cutting my hair for the last 13 years. I have always had nice hair and curls but it did not look so nice around my face. If you have curly hair you may understand that statement. Jimmy changed that and over time I have had so many different styles from him– long hair, flapper type cuts, etc. And the colors he creates are fantastic.
This is my first ever online review so — I must really think he is something special. Definitely check him out!

I’ve been going to Jimmy Keaton at Aveda since 2010 and my hair has seriously never looked better. Thanks to him, my hair is extremely healthy and always very stylish which I’ve never really had with anyone else in the past. The colors he blends are fantastic (he’s one of the Master Colorists) and the cuts he does are innovative and artistic. Not only is Jimmy professional and friendly, he keeps communication open (I want a stylist who not only has a vision but is willing to really hear what I want!) and he is by far the nicest and funnest people I’ve met. Highly recommended!!!

If you want an amazing stylist & colorist — — Jimmy at the Vandam salon is absolutely the best. He truly understands hair, he’s very experienced, and is up to date on fashion and style, and has great advice. I have long thick, course, curly hair and it’s very challenging to cut well and in a way that grows out well. Over the years Jimmy’s cuts have been consistently awesome and make a curly-​haired girl like me SO THANKFUL to have found someone like him!!! I’m writing this review now because after years of being Jimmy’s client, I went back to graduate school, which meant my budget got tight so I figured I’d cut out the expense and try other stylists. Well, that was a huge mistake. During this hiatus my hair became a hot mess. I knew there was only one person in this city who could fix my hair and make me look hot again. So last week I returned to Jimmy who cut my hair just days before I was to attend a wedding, and wow — instantly the best decision I’ve ever made! Jimmy is truly performing a service to the curly hair community — and in this city, I know I’ve got sisters out there who can use this advice. If you’ve got wavy or curly hair, this is your guy. Worth every penny and then some. Love you Jimmy!!!

Jimmy Keaton at Aveda Vandam is a hair GOD! His color and cuts are artistry at it’s finest. Magic happens in this Master Stylist’s chair. For over 13 years my hair has gone all around the color map with this man … and it has been an amazing and beautiful ride. What is it like to go weeks on end without ever hearing a hair complement, you ask? Thanks to Jimmy Keaton, I wouldn’t know. Whatever your hair needs or wants might be, he’s got you covered.
Also, the Vandam salon provides a beautiful setting with super knowledgeable and welcoming staff. This man … and this fabulous salon … ROCK.

Amazing colorist. I love Carol

12/​29/​2008
The West Broadway Salon merged with the aveda Advanced Academy and it is the way an aveda salon should be… The space is huge and uses recycled materials as well as scraps of wood as the décor. With awsome images flashing on flat screens and amazing music. Really good vibe — if you love Aveda you should definately book with the Aveda Advanced Academy Wed-​Sats @ 212 473 0280

Can’t recommend it highly enough. Fantastic staff, great haircuts.

I think a couple of reviewers have mistaken the Academy for the Institute. The Institute takes a little while and your hair is done by students who don’t have a license yet and then reviewed by instructors. The Aveda Academy is right behind the Institute and there’s only 5 in the world. Only the best of the best can work here! Everyone here is great! I have my hair cut by Peter & coloured by Caroll & I get compliments EVERY day on my hair. Literally. The last time Peter cut my hair, the Technical Director for all Aveda styling, Ricardo, came by and they had an INTENSE conversation about my hair and how it would affect my face, even my shoulders! They even wanted to look at my glasses to make sure my hair would compliment them! They truely use design philosophies to restructure your face. Ricardo even told me where I should part my hair to widen the narrowest parts of my face and bring more balance to it. I’ve even had friends ask me if I lost weight after I got my hair done!
And nothing is better than an Aveda salon. All their products are botanical and more importantly, very environmentally friendly! Everything is even made with wind power & is paraben free. They even have 4 PETA awards! At this location, many of the fixtures are even recycled or reclaimed and its super open and extremely relaxing. I love it here!

I came here because I had a groupon to use and I am so glad I did. I am a girl on a budget (aka a grad student), but my straight, fine hair really needs a good cut or else it looks flat and lifeless. I agree with the previous reviewers in the sense that this cut took longer than usual, but I was delighted with the results. I left with a short and stylish cut that really suited my hair type and bone structure. I was also really impressed by the space itself – huge and open, and a truly professional atmosphere. If you are like me, and don’t want to spend the money, but don’t want to sacrifice your style, then the Aveda Institute is a must. Also, I would recommend trying if you are open to something new – it had been a long time since my last cut so I was really open to let the student use his imagination. I will definitely go back for another cut, and next time I might check out the spa too!

I go to Jennifer here, who is one of the masters who teach at the academy, so I pay normal NYC prices for my cuts and colors. I don’t trust anyone else anymore! Jenn also did my hair for my wedding and it looked gorgeous. She’s a master colorist — my hair is this gorgeous copper color right now — and her haircuts kick a** too. Definitely an A+!

I had a haircut with Jennifer. I have no words to describe how clueless she was. While she sounded very confident, she failed to deliver anything remotely resembling a haircut. She literally gave me a staright blunt cut at the bottom and for the bangs, not even once did she ask me if my bangs are too long (they were in my eyes). The blow out was even more painful and left me lookign like a puffy poodle.
Good thing — she did so little I went and got it recut the next day.
Strange thing — how can somebody with allegedly 15 years of experience be so clueless. I think supercuts would do a better job. Aveda shoudl know better than call somebody like that «a master»

I will never pay for another haircut or dye job again. Ever.
One of my sorority sisters tipped me off that Aveda Academy had a new cut and color class where they needed volunteers to get cut and colored. Duh. I went in and the instructors are basically the bomb; they go around and make sure that the Aveda professional cutting your hair is using new techniques properly and making suggestions as to how they can do it better. It takes a bit longer than a regular trip to the salon bc of all the explanation, but I got two shampoos (my favorite part) and it was awesome.
Don’t go if all you want is a trim and you’re going to be obstinate about it. But if you’re open to a little change, they ask you how much length you’re willing to lose and they don’t try to give you a mohawk or dye it purple. Unless you ask for it, of course.
My hair rocks. And best of all, it was FREE!

Hmm, I’m not sure how the reviewer below me got her treatment for free. I paid for my service – not much, but I did pay.
I normally go to the Aveda on West Broadway, but as they were booked that night, I tried another one nearby. I didn’t realize until I got there that this was the academy, but since I was just looking for a simple haircut and nothing tricky, I didn’t mind.
The haircut was fine, but it did take a bit longer than usual. Once your stylist is done, an instructor has to review his or her work, usually making a few modifications. The blow-​out I got was sub-​par; my hair was oddly straight instead of looking naturally straight as it typically does following a professional blow-​out, and it was also a bit frizzy. Because I wasn’t too happy with the way I looked at that point, I decided to forego the complementary makeup application. But the cut itself was good, and for $ 50 including tip as well as shampoo and conditioner, it can’t be beat!