Aveda

I’m overdue in writing a review for this place. A prior reviewer said in 2011 that staff were relentless in pushing products. I have encountered that, but not in awhile. The ladies that work there on a regular basis that I encounter when I go in (about 2 – 4 times a year on average) are very friendly and relaxed in manner (no aggressive sales tactics). I went there yesterday to get my birthday gift and the young girl helping me was very nice.
On to the products: I have finicky curly hair, and I have found the «brilliance» to be good for months that have less humidity, or when my hair is dry. I tend to put product in when my hair is still damp, so I use a styling agent designed for that, «be curly.» I have sensitive skin and hate the feel of any weight of lotion or hair product, so I am a finicky buyer for sure.
If you have problems with your skin cracking in the winter or from lots of exposure at work to handling paper or other office products that dry out the skin (yup, paper does that!), the hand relief is awesome. Someone I carpooled with to work recommended it once, and it was a miracle. I have been a convert for awhile now– my hands crack so bad in the winter that I have had to wrap my fingers in band-​aids in the winter months just so they have a chance to heal. With the hand relief I can get them somewhere resembling normal fast. Sometimes it is worth paying the extra money– I have tried drugstore lotions meant for dry hands and did not have the same results. Sometimes to boot the drugstore ones are super greasy, or sting terribly when applied to cracked skin.
Anyhoo, go and enjoy. If you like tea, they serve that. (No coffee, sorry!)

I’ve got nothing but love for Aveda.
The staff here is friendly, knowledgeable, and can recommend products without coming off as pushy. I have had nothing but positive experiences in selecting new products to try.
And since I mentioned trying these products, I should note how incredible the return policy is: no receipt, no original packaging, and used = NO PROBLEM! I’ve been able to return a product that just didn’t work for me and received full value on a gift card, which of course I know I will use because as I said, I have nothing but love for this place.
My only gripe is that there isn’t another location outside Providence Place. Technically you can buy these products at official Aveda spas, and still use your Pure Privileges card (a must-​have, by the way!) — but it’s just not the same experience as going to the real thing.

I LOVE Aveda products, but hate having to go to this store for purchases. The staff is overly pushy about trying new products and does not take social cues when you are in a rush.
I also don’t like that they are allowing outside vendors in to sell unrelated products.

I’ve become a bit of an Aveda addict… I felt compelled to review after reading Kim M.‘s review, just because I’ve had a very different experience with the salespeople there. I don’t find them to be pushy at all (in contrast to places like Origins, etc…). They ask if I need help, and if I say no, they leave me alone. Even if I try a product, they usually give me a sample and tell me to come back to buy it if I like it.

I love Aveda products and have been using them for 5+ years. I have lived around the country and never had an issue with an Aveda store before moving to Providence. The staff is relentless in pushing products on their customers. I realize they are trying to make their productivity goals, but they are MUCH worse and MUCH more pushy than other Aveda stores around the country. Its to the point that I order from
or buy products when visiting relatives out-​of-​state. Once I’ve made it clear that I only came in to buy blush, please don’t try to push the entire skin care line, hair care line, and men’s line on me.