Thanks Halle & Rula for a great experience, cut and color!…read more A beautiful match to my natural hair color and a fabulous cut to frame my features. Everyone was super nice!

Went every 4 weeks to this salon for 2 years, until …read more.. the manager there took it upon herself to demand she would book me with a man she had in mind, though I didn't ask her opnion on my next booking. Then she said : Don' t hink you can override my decision and book with someone else. Well I did override her decision -- I BOOKED AT A DIFFERENT SALONG. No one needs to put up with such haughty mind games. Might want to avoid this salon. There are plent of capble and pleasant salons in Charlotte. Here's to your Happy Hairdressing!

Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute - Charlotte ‍…read more I have been a big fan of Aveda schools since my days in San Francisco. I used to go to the school on Kearny and Bush in the Financial District, and I absolutely loved it. So when I relocated to Charlotte, it was an easy transition to discover there was an Aveda school here as well--same trusted brand, same great products, and the same strong training philosophy, just organized a little differently. In San Francisco, students were grouped by skill level. The graduating students--called the "gammas"--were the rock stars of the school. They had the most confidence, the most experience, and could complete services efficiently. They worked on the main floor at street level, almost like a little jewel box where passersby could watch them practice their craft. It made the whole experience feel special. One thing I'll never forget from San Francisco was the shampoo experience. You would sit in the chair, it would gently tilt back, and your head would be perfectly cradled in the bowl. The hair wash was so relaxing and luxurious that I used to joke I'd install a shampoo bowl in my own bathroom someday. There's something very comforting about having your hair washed--it's simple, but it feels wonderful. Now, back to Charlotte. The setup here is different. All haircuts are priced the same--currently about $22--regardless of the student's level. There are add-ons available, but one thing to plan for is time. You should expect to be there for at least 2 1/2 to 3 hours, especially for hair services. What I truly appreciate is the level of supervision. Instructors are everywhere. They check the consultation, the cut, and the final result before you leave. Because of that structure, you're very unlikely to walk out with a bad haircut. In more than 20 years of visiting Aveda schools, I've only had two less-than-ideal experiences, which is a pretty strong track record. I've also had facials here, and they were excellent. The experience includes thoughtful touches like a relaxing foot wash, shoulder massage, steam, extractions, and a thorough skin analysis. It feels professional and surprisingly luxurious for the price. I remember paying around $45 for a longer facial, which is incredibly affordable compared to traditional spas. A few practical tips: * Parking is easy--there's a lot and a garage behind the building * Scheduling multiple services (like a haircut and facial) can be a little tricky, so patience helps * Bring cash for gratuities, although some students accept digital payment options Most importantly, remember that this is a teaching environment. These students are learning, building confidence, and preparing for careers in the industry. If you're expecting a fast, high-end salon experience with every bell and whistle, you may want to visit a traditional salon instead. But if you value affordability, professionalism, and supporting students as they grow, this is a wonderful option. I genuinely love this place. It has become one of my go-to spots in Charlotte, and finding little creature comforts like this has helped the city feel more like home. Treat yourself. Get the haircut. Book the facial. Enjoy the day. I recommend it.

I had an appt for a haircut. Nothing crazy. Just a trim to the ends & a trim/cleaning up my layers…read more I asked for 4in to be cut & ended up with @ 9in cut off. I specifically asked the student that if she was unsure about anything I had asked, that she ask her educator for help. She didn't until the very end when she was doing some face framing & instead of gliding the scissors down the length of my hair to do this, she just chopped chunks into the front of my hair. The only way to salvage this was to cut my hair short to even this out. It was a terrible haircut & unfortunately I won't be going back. This is the second time this exact thing happened. While I understand they are students & you're taking that risk when you go, there just needs to be better supervision for the students. This girl who cut my hair was graduating in 4 wks & seemed like she was only 4 wks into the program. That's how bad this was. Also, I have been going here for probably 20 yrs so I k ow the drill. The caliber of students & educators has severely decreased. Back in the day the students & educators were much more professional & put together. Now when you go here, most of the students & educators look like they just rolled out of bed & grabbed anything on the floor. There is no professionalism. The educators used to come over and check in a few times during a visit. Now they come over at the beginning & the end & don't check in at all during the appt. This place used to be so much better than it is now. I would not recommend.