I've been here a few times when I just needed a trim or wanted a cheaper cut.
Since they are students, it is cheaper, and although my hair cutting experience was usually good, I got highlights last year and they were not the color that I asked for. They ended up being really blonde (I have brown hair, and asked for a more caramel color/brown, not blonde at all).

The ambiance is nice, they do a quick hand massage before and a makeup touch-up after (which I don't always go for).
Also, important to remember, they are students, although some have lots of experience, some are much newer and nervous, so it is best to not ask for a drastic change, because you might not get what you hope for.

I just went here last night for my first cut in about 5 years! I was terrified haha. Thankfully though, Aveda does it's best to calm you down by offering beverages and giving you a pre-cut massage. The cuts are cheap, mine was about $40 and that includes styling and a wash. Aveda is all students, but don't let that scare you off. I would recommend that you know what you want going in though. Have a clear picture and description of what you want. They'll offer advice though and let you know if something won't work, which I appreciate. It's always busy and kind of loud but the salon is well kept, clean and everyone is very friendly. I love my cut and I think I will definitely be going back. I would totally recommend this salon to a friend.

I went to get a full set of hi-lights with an academy student. I was told it was to be $65 but with $25 extra because they first had to lift the box dye out of my hair befor the actual dye. I was okay with it and the process was wonderful. The student did a great job and was helped by 2 instrutors (one was really nice and the other was rude). I asked for the hilights to be blended and so they explained they would do fine hilights and the result was exactly what i wanted! Unfortunately I was wrongfully charged at the end of my service. Near the end, an instructor was helping the student (because it was close to closing time) and i guess the person ringing up my bill thought it was the other way around. In the end i realized (later in the day) that i was overcharged by about $50 (but i did consider the base price plus the additional cost to lift the box dye and for the fact they had to use extra dye because my hair is thick). Overall the service was amazing (except for the one intructor who was rude to her student) and i am extremely pleased with the result! One tip, though, is at the end, if it's not your stylist ringing up the bill, remind the person what you had done and what level stylist did your service to avoid being overcharged like me!

I have never paid to get my hair done I always go to the students at aveda institute for my cut or colour. I always leave happy with the results.

The salon and services are wry expensive but I have always recieved excellent customer service and they have always done a great job on my hair . I am very picky with my hair and they listen to how I want it I have never complained. I like how they gave me a massage and tea and I love how the products are natural. I am obsessed with the products for hair, body and face. I would recommend aveda to anybody. Even the students at aveda institute are great ! Never screwed up my hair although they are being supervised by professionals . I wish it was cheaper but I guess you get what you pay for . And they are great !

I've always received great service at a decent price. They do a great job with their cuts and I've never been disappointed. I always recommend them to girlfriends.

I've been there quite a few times, and I have to say for my limited budget to spend on hair, I am impressed with the work they do. I almost always go there for colour/root touch ups, and so far I have not been dissapointed. The prices are very low because the students are performing the service, but there are teachers there that check over their work at every major point of the process, like before they mix the colour, they make sure they get the right dye, and when they wash it out, the teachers make sure they put the toner on for the right amount of time. I used to have to spend over 100$ at a salon to get my hair to look good, now I get compliments all the time for a 30$ service. You can also ask for a 50% off coupon at your first service. They will give you a card and you give it to the front desk at the check out to receive the service even cheaper.
However, keep in mind this is a school. They do offer you coffee when you come in, but the space is crowded, very loud, sometimes people bring their kids there to wait while they have their appt. The students are still learning, so they may yank on your hair harder then you're used to, and it takes a lot more time. Like 3 hours for a colour appt. So be prepared for that.
Over all, very good for the money, if you're willing to spend some more time.

I have been getting my haircut here for more than 4 years after it was recommended to me by a friend. There's a reason I keep going back... can't beat the price (although it is 35 now.. but not bad still) and I have rarely been disappointed. Pretty good service, with the massage and drink. There have been a few times I wasn't too impressed, but I never walked away with a horrible cut.

I had my haircut at the Aveda Academy for the first time and I must say, I was impressed at the service for the price I was paying! I only had a haircut so I can’t really comment on the other services but my haircut turned out to be better than I had expected. For haircuts, you can request three different level of stylists, the most junior charges $16 while the intermediate haircut (wash and style) costs $30 (the highest level charges $45, I believe). I requested a haircut with the intermediate stylist and she did a really great job with my haircut. Overall, the atmosphere, services and products exceeded my expectations and I highly recommend haircuts here.

highly recommend. excellent services and products. usually a bit of a wait when getting service done but understandably so since it's an academy/teaching school. make sure you take into account parking hours - located on king street section w/no tolerance tow-away zone