Aveda Institute
Reviews and Complaints

Again, Aveda is a product line they sell. Aveda has nothing to do with the actual salon. It goes through a private distributor that sells a variety of salon products.
Don't worry, you can be ashamed of my hype. I am equally ashamed of your ignorance.

I believe the point is that, as loyal customer of Aveda, we expect that if they put their name on a salon, they will have some sort of oversight of that salon. Many people go to these salons solely because the name Aveda is on the sign. To use your example: I would not call Joe's Dairy Farm complaining of poor service at Cold Stone Creamery; however, I would call Joe's Dairy Farm if I got poor service at The Joe's Diary Farm Concept Ice Cream Store.
Unfortunately, you are correct about one thing. Despite the image advertised by Aveda, they could care less about the individual customer. They are just another greedy company trying to masquerade as an ethical company. Aveda should be ashamed. And I am ashamed that I believed your hype. : (

Aveda is just the product line they sell, you complaining about a hair salon to the manufacturer of Aveda products is like me complaining to a dairy farm about the bad customer service at an ice cream shop. They don't care about you, the products are already paid for by the salon.

As much as I hate to say it...as a Tallahassee Aveda Institute graduate...you are 100% correct. Students are put on the floor to do hair for 10 hour days with little to no breaks. You are required to sell products to pass as well as teachers retaining tips that were meant for students. There are not enough teachers on the floor to keep work flow running quickly so you wait for approval to move forward on your client. As your wait your books for the day get more and more backed up. And in Tallahassee the books are overflowing. You are more like an employee who is paying to learn by trial and error. Fake it till you make it is their motto. You are paying them to make them money. Any days that you miss are spent on a make up day cleaning the entire school. And I truly watched students being kicked out left and right that I did not believe should have been. You are treated as a child and it’s quite frustrating to make it through to graduation. It is truly sad because it could be such a wonderful experience and it’s such a let down. Given the choice again I would not attend Aveda. And if I encounter anyone who asks me I tell them to RUN the other way.

Any updates on the class action lawsuit? Anyone pursuing one at the moment?

Aveda DC ruined my hair! I went in for highlights and ended up having to go back three times for color correction to revert my green-grey hair back to the color I originally walked in with! Now my hair doesn't sit on my scalp the same way and feels like straw! I complained and they don't care! Where can I get recourse?!

I would not recommend any Aveda Institute program for anyone. My experience in Columbus was a substandard esthetician program run by cliquish "instructors". They used to go in and clean out the ex-students lockers periodically and laugh as they claimed dibs on all of the expensive products that broken-hearted students had left behind when they gave up and left the program. My class was packed full and it was very stressful. My stomach hurt from day one until the day I finally had enough and walked away. Students are taught a curriculum that pushes Aveda products, but very few advanced techniques using any outside products or equipment. Our clinical training consisted of sitting on the cold concrete floor of an old downtown Columbus building folding towels and hoping for a client to come in so we could earn a few credit hours towards graduation. No chairs or tables, just the floor for hours on end. It was a den of junior high-ish gossip and backbiting and the instructors were usually absent. Our make-up artist training consisted of coloring book print outs of faces and a collection of old broken colored pencils. We were told to "be creative" and they would give us a few minutes worth of credit hours for each one we said we completed. When your graduation depends on it and there aren't enough clients you would desperately scribble out several of those a day. After one particularly frustrating day and some ridiculous bullying by a completely unknown "managerial student" I had had enough and I walked out. Fortunately after everything I had witnessed in my almost 4 months there I knew not to trust these people. I walked straight out the door, rapidly walked the 5 blocks away to get my car, drove back and found a parking meter, walked back in un-noticed and cleaned out my locker. After I had all of my personal possessions in my custody I then wrote them a letter outlining all of the issues and making sure that they knew I knew that I wasn't at the 50% completion date and they should not be expecting the full tuition. I ran into some of my sweet classmates on the way out and they were concerned about me. In hushed tones they asked if I was ok and let me know that they would tell the instructors how ridiculous my treatment had been. Since then I have talked to others locally who had their own bad experiences there and have read many sad experiences online. I definitely would openly discourage anyone from wasting their time, money, and dreams on these name brand franchise "schools".

Aveda is nothing what they say they are. I attended in Orlando and it was exactly like what is being described by other people here. They didn't care at all about me, just the money they could get out of me.

Aveda has extremely shady practice and since their bottom line is first and foremost they look for was to drop students once they've received full payment from your financial institutions.

I went to Paul Mitchell The School Cincinnati & They Terminated Me 3 Months Before My Graduation Date. I was out of school for a month due to my fiancé getting into a car accident and totaled our car. The 3rd day back the instructor Amanda rudely asked me to leave the classroom for trying to study on my iPad (That I purchased through school to use for school) before a test since I was gone for a month and didn't want to fail my test. (Mind you they told the students that we can use our iPads to take our test online and use to study since I have my textbooks online). I was then pulled in the office and they did not want to hear what I had to say what so ever and he kept trying to take up for her so I told him that I'll just call state board and let them handle the situation since they were trying to make excuses for why I was wrong. 20 minutes prior they said I was being terminated for insubordination. They told me get get all of my belongings and leave. I didn't have enough hands to carry my things so I asked for help and they told me no. I guess I wasn't moving fast enough because they called the police on me even though I was struggling to collect all of my things and get them to my car. If anyone can find a way to get justice with these schools please email me @QStylezFuturePro@gmail.com

I attended Aveda in Atlanta, GA they were beyond unprofessional, My class and I were on lunch in the very small and dirty break room a instructor came in and told us all to get out now so he class could clean or do it ourselves so we got up and she yelled for us to leave again. Next time was model day and I had been working on my models hair for about 4-5 hours and missed my breaks so when I finally finished I go to get my lunch and on the way back it started storming and I got soaked, I sat in the cornor to dry off for awhile then I practiced my foil as instructed after the foil we were told to practice the pin curls as well. I missed the day for the pin curls so I asked the instructor to show me how to do them so I could practice she refused to show me then threatened to kick me out and send me home for not doing my work, she later marked me down and wrote me up stating I refused to do the foil and pin curl practice. The last incident I was in class and I'll admit I'm wrong I shouldn't have been asleep I didn't even know I had dozed off I was so tired, but there were about 4 other girls in the class sleep as well. I was woken up by a man yelling at me threatening to kick me out he caused a huge scene I later found out he was the Director, I was beyond embarrassed a few girls in the class started to laugh at me. A few minutes later I leaned to to side to take notes because I sat in the back of the class and I couldn't see so another intructor comes and threatens to kick me out for leaning, I got so frustrated because they didn't say anything to the other girls who were still asleep they kept coming for me so I walked out of class and went home. The Aveda Institute in Atlanta, GA is a great school but the staff/instructors are very rude and they don't know how to speak to people, after they constantly threatned to kick me out and I'm not the only one..now they want me to pay for leaving, I regret ever going to that school

From an very angry student:
I was accused of taking a pack of combs from another student’s station that had my name on them and I was kicked out of Aveda Atlanta for it. After I reported an educator using racial slurs to students and clients. Hours later I was falsely accused and thrown out without proper investigation.
I tried to explain that the comb had my name on it, when I was falsely accused of theft. I was appalled and upset at the accusations. In my defense I had clearly stated that the combs were mine. This was a big misunderstanding, and not once was my story investigated. Ultimately the administration didn’t know who combs they were and never considered or went to the proper procedure to investigate both allegations. I was totally ignored in this situation, like my voice didn’t count. I told the director that my name was on the combs. I offered to show the combs with my name on them to resolve this and the director declined to see
them. At this point I was accused of stealing and unjustly dismissed from the school for good. I even had a witness. The other party wasn’t approached and is still attending school while I’m at home expelled.

I feel like this could have been racially motivated. I had just had a nervous breakdown about an educator saying major racial slurs to clients, students and myself. That next school day, April 24, 2014 at 2:00 pm, I went to the assistant director and reported the educator. I was expressing my feelings on how uncomfortable I was going to be, having to learn under this person who got away with saying racial slurs to students such as, “I’m going to chain you to your station like you were back in slavery, ” and not even an hour later I was expel from school without any remorse. I work very hard for my education. I’m a 33 year old Army Veteran and am very serious about my life and my career. I have no room for wasting time or money.
I also have witnesses on the racial jabs and slurs.
I’ve given Aveda nothing but 100% of my dedication. I am a model student. My attendance is 100%. I was running for student council president with classmate. I entered into the Beacon Competition and also Full Potential Competition. I also was in all the fashion shows on and off campus. I was in the process of entering into the Orlando Premiere Competition in Orlando, FL on June 2, 2014. But I have been expelled from school and you can only enter as a student or licensed stylist. I’m also a veteran who has served my country in Iraq. I’m everything but a thief and am very distraught about the outcome of this.

I have to thank Aveda for helping me find my passion for my art, but now I feel like something that was mine, was snatched from me, that I want back.

Thank You

Monique Hardnett

I feel sorry for all of you that have been treated unfair by aveda. I have been with aveda 26 years and now they are dropping my salon
as an aveda one and saying I do not follow there rules and to send my products back for a refund. They are only dropping me because I don't sell enough product for them. Know where in my contract does it say I have to sell a certain amount I would think after ordering 25 thousand $ worth in 3 years was a lot for a small town. So after deciding I didn't need them, I send there products back thinking that they would send me a check like they said. I get no check. After some time had passed I get a credit on my charge card. I only find that out after getting a statement from my card nothing from aveda. After I called them and insisted I need a statement on what they paid me for. I get a statement emailed to me on what they paid me for. Forty two items they did not pay me for and said they will not pay me for or will they send them back to me. Claiming that they are no longer in there system and they are throghing my products away, when I had to pay for them. I don't care what they say this is stealing. In the last ten years they have been about the money and only about money and how much they can make from everyone.

The same type of nonsense is taking place at the Aveda Instutute in Birmingham, Alabama. They do not have any licensed educators on their staff for the esthiology program and received a 70 from the Alabama board of Dermatology for their program. The board came back 90 days later and then gave them a zero. Students have not had an instructor since February and fear they will not even pass their board exam. They have only been taught how to do a basic facial when they should have a complete knowledge on injections and laser therapy. I enrolled as a student and am supposed to begin class July 9. I later found out from current students the situation at the Institute. Not only am I shocked that they were going to try and enroll another class after receiving a zero which makes them unable to operate but that they were going to keep this a secret from me.

I am presently a student of this institution. May I say hell. This is not a fair education given. Favoritism, discrimination, instructors full of drama that you can't find to help you when you need their help. For a long time half the school was divided with hand picked favorite students put on the high retention side. They were booked before any other student. They were focused on and all attention and praise on them. When we all paid the same for that same education. We are a school divided. They have changed the curriculum for the honor students to get a further education in special classes . Such as color blocking, umbrees and etc i had a client come in for color blocking and since I'm not on the honor roll never learned it. They booked me with a client for this service I've never done and not one of them helped me . They claimed they were busy while joking and talking to their favorite students. I ended up on my own doing a service they would not teach me because I was not an honor student or one of their favorites. I paid $20, 000 the same as fellow students for a lesser of an education because I didn't fall under the favorites category. I searched and asked for help as they all pointed to the next and the next instructor because they couldn't be bothered. I ended up sound it on my own and it turned out great. Point is no instructor who is paid to teach would take there time out to help me with a service I was never taught. $20, 000 for what a name that doesn't hold up to the education they promised. I do not recommend anyone waste there money on a school full of drama, favoritism and a half ### education the instructors decide to whom to give it fully. Aveda is a money pit full of instructors who are not professional and come to school with. More drama than the students. My experience at Aveda is the worse experience and the biggest waste of money on an education I was promised that was never delivered.

There are 100's of students that were wrongfully terminated at the Aveda Institute in St. Petersburg FL.
My daughter was one of them, I have never been so shocked at what goes on at this school. I would be interested in participating in a class action lawsuit, I have a well documented file.
This is not a positive place any one considering cosmetology should look at real schools that are focus on putting out quality talented hairdressers, not signing people up and then taking the money and terminating them for absolute non sense. How does SELF Grooming sound? That was one of my daughters final write ups. Seriously she put lipgloss on at her station and was written up for self grooming, and once you get a few write ups like that they terminate you and keep ALL of your money. There was a student who had a car accident, and was late on a test day, not only did they not let her take the test, they failed her for the whole phase, making her retake it, at the cost of $2500.00. I could write a book on all the things I saw and heard, it was seriously the most shocking thing I have ever seen. I felt like I was watching them steal, not only money but hopes and dreams. Every student in there was there for an education that would lead to a career, and all they got was a student loan bill.

I was wrongfully terminated from the Aveda institute of East Lansing for "assumption of cheating" with their zero tolerance policy except the guy who I "cheated off of" is still enrolled! He had his phone out googling answers the whole time and when one of my classmates called in to tell them that she saw his phone out and him using it they told me "his actions are none of my concern anymore and I should focus on my future" when asked to be honest I said yes I was talking during a test but they have no proof that I was cheating. Our test scores aren't even the same. They said if I was honest all would be well but because I was "honest" and admitted to "wrong" i was immediately withdrawn. They know the other guy cheated and used a phone but have done NOTHING to him or about the situation.

I AGREE! The school uses a large Buddha and displays themselves as Auyerveic according to Eastern principles, yet they completely overlook the teachings of the basic energy principals of healing and wellness...we skip that chapter. I am currently in the Spa program in Clearwater..the new school. Mostly all smoke and mirrors. We have had a 19 yr old terroist in class who constantly disruppts and harrasses everyone. She has bullied, been very rude and also calle students lesbians and other SH cases. Apparently she is being protected. When I come in an hour ealry every day, I was 5 minutes late on one occassion and was sent home from 12 hours of school and it costs me $50 to take a taxi, ..while on many occassions this girl comes into the class even when expelled. I have been written up and escorted out of school because I ate someones lunch they left sitting in the lunch room. They accused me of "stealing"...to the highest level this is character assasination. There are no signs in the lunch room about rules about leaving food and the by laws are for "stealing equipment" not uneaten lunch left behind unattended. I am 58 years old, was a professional in my own successful business for 25 yrs and feel like a 2 year old. My self esteem and drive to accomplish a goal as a Spa therapist has rastically been reduced to nothing, aside from being bullyied by some high school kids that coul not get into a real college. I chose this as a second acreer in my mid life in hopes to represent a quality way of life. I am not a theft. What they do to you pschologically and your well being is not being exemplifyied in the school. I feel like I need to go to a doctor!

I guess this is Aveda Institutes across the board. I go to the Aveda Institute Orlando/winter park. I didnt know much about aveda before attending the school, but when I took thetour, I figured it was top notch! Boy was I wrong. Im currently in the spa program and as much as I want to be a spa therapist, i hate the institute. My whole outlook on Aveda has changed drastically and I would not recommend this school to anyone. My education seems to be lacking compared to other massage therapist I know. I really regret paying so much money for this place. My educators are phony and unfair. They lie unnecessarily about things and openly displays favoritism. My family is so upset because of of the price tag on the school. Instead of educating, they are using us to make mobey for the school. As soon as a guests leaves, educators look to see if we sold products. They kie and blame the appt books on the call center but the educators book us according to who is selling thw most products. Its so unfair because we are here to learn not slave for them. We pay them 14999 to be massage therapists and skin care specialists and all they care about is if we sold more than a 15 dollar product to each guest. We also use OUR kit supplies that we paid for and some products are used to upcharge the guests. Its all about money and less about education..they like to feed us the ### about having to sell products as massage therapists but im not paying all this money to learn retail...retail will not be apart of my mblex. Its frustrating to say the least and I want a refund. I live nearby and there are other schools in the area that I wish i would have attended. This was a huge mistake. They claim to follow rules but the handbook only applies to certain students. Other students can get away with murder..we have students dating ieducators in which our educators are aware but aince ahes their fave, she wont ever be in trouble. This school is a joke and so are the phony educators

Hi, my name is Cuyler me and my roommate were wrongfully terminated from the Aveda Institute in Tallahassee, FL...she had 3 weeks left and I would have been done in February! The entire school has no structure, and shows quite a bit of favoritism to other individuals whom break rules left and right...yet remain unreprimanded.

Please contact me brittanyfafara@yahoo.com

my email is ily9643@yahoo.com

hello, my name is samantha and myself and another girl were wrongfully expelled from the Aveda institute in Austin, how is your legal stuff going i would love to talk more about this with you.

Also, the Department of Education and the Office of Inspector General [protected] or email them your experience at hotline.oig@dc.gov...I have filed my case with the Office of Inspector General and they forwarded my case to the Dept of Education, and they did an investigation. They found stuff that Aveda does wrong - Aveda was guilty. This is the only way to stop Aveda in the future and I am determined to start a class action lawsuit, please contact me if you want to join. arussell25@yahoo.com

I contacted the Office of Attorney General at [protected] or email them your complaint about Aveda at hotline.oig@dc.gov...Aveda charges very high prices for a school with students performing the services. I got an awful education and unfairly terminated. The OIG forwarded my case to the dept of education and they investigated Aveda. They did find things wrong by Aveda. More people need to report Aveda Institutes to the OIG to keep them from scamming students and paying clients in the future. I would like to start a class action lawsuit as well. Please contact me if you are interested at arussell25@yahoo.com

I don't know exactly what your situation is but from the tidbits of info you give here I will guess you have medium to dark hair and wanted light blonde or neutral med blonde highlights. Sounds like your stylist may have been highlightling your hair, could not get it through the red orange stage of lift and instead of toning they left your lightener on too long for the existing condition of your hair.A toner would not make your hair brittle or damaged but previous damage done to your hair by you or your stylist can. If you have done "box" or drugstore color and failed to reveal that to your stylist during the consultation then blame is on both of you.