I absolutely love this space for self care on a budget. The students are extremely friendly and do a very good job with my facials. I get a facial almost every month here and every time I leave feeling pampered and my skin glowing. It's super easy to get appointments and the facial spaces have all the privacy and relaxation you need. I've been to other student clinics for facials and they don't offer the same kind of privacy. Here, It feels like I'm in a real salon paying hundreds of dollars for the privacy, aromatherapy, massage with facial, and the vibe. I will also try out other services at Aveda in the near future! read more

Can you IMAGINE, it's been 34 years since I had my hands in my daughter's hair. My daughter started going to the hair salon at 9 years old; 34 years ago. ‍ Can you IMAGINE me taking down my granddaughter's braids on yesterday, with the anticipation of her having a hair appointment at this Beauty School. Can you FURTHER IMAGINE the absolute horror of the Beauty School calling you to tell you that the stylist didn't come in today and they need to reschedule your appointment to Monday or Wednesday of next week?? Well, that's what Aveda just did!! An ENTIRE SCHOOL and you only have one stylist that can do what I needed done (wash, deep conditioning and leaving her natural hair as is)! In the corporate world, this would be considered a "Single Point of Failure!" ‍ I am beyond disappointed. read more

I had a great experience at Aveda Arts Institute in Arlington, VA. I had gotten a botched haircut at a different salon and figured I had nothing to lose by trying the Institute. The stylist in training, Sam-Ava was a good listener and correctly identified why my previous haircut wasn't working for my hair. Her supervisor concurred. It's been a couple of days and my cut looks great and behaves the way a good cut should. read more

I went to Aveda's hair academy and let a student in-training provide my hair service. This is a hit or miss, my service was a B-. I would recommend something super basic like a blow dry, wash, and curl. I called ahead made my appointment, you can also book a specific person if you would like. The aesthetic here is nice and it was clean. I waited about 10 minutes to be called back after I checked in with the hostess. I paid $30 or $35 dollars? Can't remember and I left a tip. My hair was decent I knew I would go home and restyle it some, but what I was after was the light texture and bounce when you get a fresh blowout. It would have came out a little better had she blow dried my hair longer. Overall pretty good job, would I come back? Maybe. This is a nice resource when you need a last minute hair do and you can somewhat restyle it yourself. read more

Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute - Cosmetology Schools Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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There is an instructor that goes by "Ms Brittany" that is incredibly rude and abusive to customers. I had the worst experience today and learned that she also lied to the education director about what happened. The video recording will show it. Be careful and don't let her treat you badly, too. Students need to learn customer service skills along with the hair styling techniques. This instructor only serves to show what NOT to do. I love the students here so much! It's why I booked here for eight years. The learning energy is optimistic, which is important, especially in DC. The tall guy at the front desk is incredible at his job. It's this one instructor that seems to have a problem with customers. I've only ever seen her be disrespectful and inappropriate with customers. read more

I have visited here about 3 times. All have been great experiences. The first time was just myself and I was very pleased with the service. I got a haircut and it was a fix from another local school mess up. The young girl did fantastic at fixing it and a new cut that I showed her a picture of. The second time, I took my kids with me, and they could not stop talking about the salon and the girls. They both were equally impressed and very satisfied with their cut. One of my sons is very OCD and hard to please with his hair cut, but his hairstylist met the demand and was fabulous. I have always had a pleasurable experience from walking in the doors until leaving. I love that you get tea when getting there. The store front is very attractive and welcoming as well as the staff. I highly recommend this salon to anyone. I have not had a bad experience from scheduling to the end of my appointment. WELL DONE AVEDA ARLINGTON!!!! read more

My highlights look fantastic. The price was fantastic. My stylist had the patience of a saint. He was so friendly and polite and major attention to detail. 4 starts just because the process took 7 hours. Sitting in a chair for 7 hours is freaking hard. Very cheap parking nearby AND you can extend your parking time online. Which is essential. Because i paid for 4 hours of parking but had to extend my payment TWICE. I felt bad because by the end of things i felt like 'please just let me leave, with wet hair, I'm hangry' Would i go back? Yes. But not for a long time. The price is right but 7 hours. .... A few of the people working were wearing giant headphones or had earbuds in. I thought that was kinda weird. I'm thankful the person working with me was not doing that. He was very professional. read more

I told me hair stylist a few things and she ignored me. First thing I said was do not twist my hair because it will break off. She ignores me, twists my hair into ribbons and clips it. My hair broke off. I now how a ton of inch long growths around my hair. Secondly it came out super purple to a point where I had to go home and re wash it. read more

Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute - My entire top layer snapped off. - Cosmetology Schools Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

Unfortunately I can't recommend going to the Aveda institute after my experience there. While these are students in training, I was booked with a stylist who had only 1 month of training left before her program graduation so she should be skilled. I asked for partial highlights in my natural black hair and hoped for a good result. At start of appointment I mentioned wanting subtle, dimensional color with my main goal being to cover up greys, showed pictures of previous highlights I had, and when the stylist asked if I wanted "money pieces" to incorporate more color by my face I declined those and shared concerns about the intensity of that look for what I was going for as the overall effect. What I left with were incredibly contrasted, bright, and streaky highlights with entirely too much color by my face, and in a reddish, light brown tone that did not compliment my features at all. To make matters worse, the instructor overseeing my stylist's work kept checking my foils throughout the appointment and made comments claiming the color was lifting "exactly how we want it" and that the effect was "subtle", so I assumed we were making progress towards my goals. When I expressed concerns about the results at the end of my appointment, I was told that I just needed time to "get used to the color" and should have asked for a balayage for the effect I wanted. I left unsure of whether my disappointment was because of a miscommunication. I was not shown the back of my head in the salon, where there was extremely streaky color, giving a skunk like effect that demonstrated the highlights were not done properly. I only learned about the extent of the issues with the back of my head after I got home. I had to go to another salon to get a single process color over everything to get back to a look that felt comfortable for me before the work week started. Aveda Institute offered a free fix of my hair, but I didn't trust going back after my first experience, and the fix would not have happened in time for me to go back to work. The hassle and stress of the outcome was not worth the discounted services Aveda Institute offers. Would not go back or recommend to anyone. read more

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The supervisors need to watch the students more . My hair got damaged and my expensive black shirt was bleached and now it's damaged read more

Following a very unfortunate experience this past weekend, I am forced to deduct two stars from my rating for the sake of my honest assessment. I will not be returning to this location. read more

A Candid Review of My Experience at the Aveda Institute - Ballston (December 2024 - May 2025) As a recent graduate of the esthetics program at the Aveda Institute in Ballston, I feel a responsibility to share my experience with prospective students, especially those considering Aveda for their foundational education in esthetics. While Aveda is a well-known name in the beauty industry, name recognition alone does not guarantee a quality education--and unfortunately, that was the case for me. Lack of Support from Administration and Office Staff One of the most disappointing aspects of my time at Aveda was the lack of professionalism and support from the office staff and overall management. Communication was consistently poor, and our class frequently had to advocate for basic information that should have been readily provided. At one point, our entire class had to draft and submit a formal grievance just to receive clarity on critical aspects of our program. Management demonstrated a clear lack of interest in the esthetics department, while the cosmetology program received far more praise, attention, and resources. Disorganized Scheduling and Poor Student Consideration Our original schedule was Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 AM to 8 PM. However, due to unexpected school closures, we were promised makeup days that never materialized. Instead, without consultation or consideration for our personal schedules, we were informed that we would have to switch to a newly created full-week schedule. This abrupt change forced me into attending school Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 8 PM, for the final two weeks of the program--making it impossible to maintain my work schedule. The lack of flexibility and disregard for student obligations outside of school was highly unprofessional. Inadequate Graduation Process To make matters worse, we were not allowed to graduate as a class--despite having formed meaningful bonds over our time together. Instead, we were scheduled to graduate individually, at different times and on different days. This robbed us of the opportunity to support one another and celebrate each other's accomplishments. Shockingly, no one from the management team even attended my graduation. Incomplete Kits and Limited Educational Resources The kit we received at the beginning of the program was minimal and tailored only to one skin type--leaving many of us without the tools we needed to provide services for a diverse range of clients. Even more troubling, we did not receive all the promised items, nor were we compensated for the missing supplies. These tools are essential for both learning and building confidence in our skills, and Aveda fell short in this critical area. Highlights: Dedicated Educators Who Made a Difference Despite all of these challenges, I am incredibly grateful for two standout educators: Ms. Paris and Ms. Jas. Their dedication, passion, and willingness to go above and beyond for their students were the only redeeming parts of this experience. They ensured that we understood the material, provided real-world insight, and gave us the confidence to succeed in the field. Unfortunately, not all instructors at Aveda shared their level of commitment--many left students to "figure it out" on their own with minimal guidance. A Better Alternative: The Esthetic Institute, Vienna, VA After completing the program, I enrolled in additional training at The Esthetic Institute in Vienna, VA, and it became immediately clear what a proper esthetics education should look like. The Esthetic Institute specializes solely in esthetics, which is evident in the depth and quality of their instruction. The curriculum is comprehensive, the kits are better equipped, and the cost of the program is more affordable--while offering far greater value. read more

I came in for a trim ($20 sale when it's normally $25). I asked to cut off a few inches straight - so I naturally didn't think it would take over 2 hours. The student was meticulous and tried their best, and was gentle, but cut too short and lopsided and evened it out when I asked. The student was very nice but I would not go here if you care a lot about how your hair looks exactly - I don't care as much. The main sticking point for me is that it took over two hours and the educator blamed me for not blocking out more time. When I go to a professional it takes 30 minutes. I did my homework and read reviews saying it takes longer so I blocked 2 hours but that still wasn't enough. I told them at the point that I had 30 more minutes and the educator assured me they would finish in 15 minutes. The student was not done by then. The staff asked to let them know upfront if I have a time constraint next time. That's fair enough - I would appreciate if they could add this to their website that they advise customers to block out multiple hours. I think the educators should monitor the students more closely - they only come over when asked, and are busy with other students, and at that point it's too late to fix things when hair is cut too short. read more

The students are wonderful but it just takes too long. Took an hour to just get a couple of inches cut at the bottom. It's also really hard to sit still for that long. Just be aware that it takes a full 90-120 min for a haircut. Also, shouldn't students be learning how to cut hair in a real-world environment? You rarely get 2 hours to cut someone's hair. Most people want it done in 30 min. Having students take 90-120min to cut someone's hair is likely doing a disservice to them. read more

Full foil MY suggestion is not to start a nearly 6 hour hair appointment at 1:30pm. My student had good energy and was friendly, didn't seem to tire. I suggest letting client see their hair coloring/face the mirror prior to the end. read more

I have been a client at Aveda Institute for over 10 years. Except for Covid restrictions I was there. I have met the nicest most professional people who were just capable of having a conversation so today when two instructors came to me when my hair dresser disappeared to tell me that I had said something offensive to her, but they couldn't be specific about it, and they were going to finish my hair which was 3/4 of the way highlighted without a cut or without any plan to help me figure out how to get my hair done. They said I can call and reschedule. Just because somebody might say a little bit of something that you don't agree with doesn't mean that you should prepare yourself for running away as a hairstylist. You're gonna deal with a lot of people you do not like and never want to see again. The student that did my hair today's name was Dora. what was most surprising and disappointing is that none of the instructors offered to finish my hair for me and sent me out with wet hair in 40 degree rainy weather. Now, knowing that I will never step foot in there again I have to find someone to fix my hair. No professional likes to fix someone else's work. read more

Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute - My hair is now fried on the sides, but I have no highlights on the top of my hair. The texture is horrible because bleach was on too long. - Cosmetology Schools Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

Izzy (class of June 2025) did an excellent job with my cut and blow dry. I appreciated her attention to detail and good communication. Izzy is knowledgeable about hair care and I learned quite a few things from her today. I love how my hair looks. Thank you Izzy! The students do a phenomenal job over here, and every instructor I have met has been wonderful. read more

Not worth the $25 haircut AT ALL. Please please please do yourself a favor and save up for a decent haircut. I went yesterday for an appointment and it wasn't until I got home and took a shower (their products make my hair feel gross and dirty despite going in with clean hair). When I dried it I felt like crying. This is the absolute worst haircut of my life. The WORST part is, the instructor was telling her how amazing the stylist was doing. She praised her and told her good job when she shouldn't have. I'm going to have to get my hair fixed. read more

Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute - Face framing layers???!!!!! What is this - Cosmetology Schools Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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Alison C rocks! She paid so much attention to my needs. I love the color and cut she gave me. The school is fantastic and they obviously loops after teaching the students well! read more

Maria H. provided a wonderful 90 min facial. She made it a very tranquil experience and my skin looked great afterward. I would just recommend the facility play more calming background music- I heard Beyoncé at one point and employees could be heard talking at some points. read more

Tldr: my haircutting student was amazing. I'd definitely come back and support his learning. The school itself could I prove in terms of scheduling and realistic wait times. Bring cash to tip your hairdresser! Or remember to ask if they have venmo, zelle, or another cash app to tip them. For whatever reason Aveda does not allow you to add a tip after you pay for your services. The reason I was given? Not enough room on the screen. Kind of a pathetic reason in my opinion. I do not think Aveda does as much as they could for their students and hope that changes because these students are hard working. I really enjoy supporting beauty schools. Hair grows back so if a mess up happens it's not permanent. It's fun knowing you're supporting someone develop a skill they're interested in, and the prices are usually pretty great to boot. This was my first time at this location, a recommended spot by a friend. I wish I had called ahead for an appointment (though my past experience with schools is that they can almost always accommodate walk-ins). It looked like today was a special day for the school (I saw a model sign in sheet) and I was told that all students were on a mandatory lunch break but I could make an appt for 1pm. I came back a bit before 1 and watched as students lined up to take their customers. And then, one by one, the students took their customers... except for me, one other lady, and one student waiting for her assigned customer. We waited and waited and then watched as that student was told her client had cancelled and she walked away to her station. I would've gladly filled her spot because at this point I was considering walking out myself. I decided to give the benefit of the doubt as I had been a walk-in, but I allowed myself to mentally vent as I ran through the conversation with the receptionist that all students would be back by 1 for their appointments. 20 minutes after my appointment was supposed to start I was told my student hadn't come back in time (I figured) and that they just assigned me someone else (hallelujah). A few minutes later I was ushered to the back and my haircut finally began. My hair cutter was so amazing and really sweet. After getting the haircut I wanted I decided to be spontaneous and let him do whatever he wanted with my bangs. He did take his time doing my hair but (a) I'd rather have that than a rushed and botched job, and (b) he was pretty new, speed will definitely be developed with time. I definitely don't coming back to this particular spot in the future, I'll just be more prepared to spend more time there. I thought it would be quicker than it was but the 25 minute delay at the beginning really pushed back my schedule. read more

I wanted just a trim for my split ends. I worked with a great hairstylist. I've had dandruff and couldn't figure out how to get rid of them, the stylist and the instructor asked me questions and worked on solving it, turns out it's dryness and they helped me choose and oil I could massage into my scalp. Overall, great! I give 4 stars because I learned that 0% of the pay goes to the hairstylist so make sure to "donate" to your stylists, it's still labor! read more

I had my first facial today and it was absolutely amazing! Britney was so kind and gentle, and she made me feel really comfortable. I definitely recommend getting a facial here--the vibe was great and super relaxing! 10/10 read more

This is such a hidden gem! For those looking for an indulgence on a budget - come to the Aveda Institute here in Arlington. They offer hair and skincare services but not for nails. The facials are an amazing deal at $25-$45 depending on the duration of 30 minutes to 90 minutes, and uses premium Aveda products, have massages and is all around a relaxing time. The only thing they request of you is to provide feedback to the student working on you. I've gotten the Scalp treatment there as well, and felt amazing after! So clean and refreshed, and so far everything has been amazing. Although they are students, everyone is super professional, friendly and fun! I can't wait to be back to do some fun hair designs. read more

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Serena did an outstanding job today . She is very polite, respectful , knowledgeable in her field while in training and very professional. From the moment we were introduced , she was super friendly ....from the beginning to the end of my service . Serena made recommendations for their products that would work with my hair type and explained why it would work best . If you did not know she was training, you would think that she's been in this industry for years . I have used this location 3 times and was fortunate to meet Serena . I have requested her for one of my follow up appointments and would highly recommend this Aveda location . Kudos to Serena for another outstanding service today . read more

This location is hit or miss - sometimes I get a salon worth haircut, other times is clearly a student doing their best. Plan to stay for 1.5-2 hours depending on the service and the level of the stylist. Also, prepare for there to be a water temperature or water pressure issue - I have had quite a few cold hair washes here! The vibes are cute - a little tight with the number of stations. Overall, can't beat it for the price! read more

Love the school ! The students are adorable. the discount. the parking is cheap also which helps the products are clean and natural

About 18 years ago my friend tipped me off to the Aveda Institute in Chinatown in DC. I've been there numerous times for haircuts and facials. They closed the Chinatown location but there's the Ballston location now. To be honest, I loathe Ballston but I love a bargain so off I went. I had a nice stylist. Not chatty which is fine by me. The institute, however, doesn't give the students fatigue mats to stand on. On a concrete floor. That shouldn't be allowed. The entire facility is not as nice as the Chinatown one so I probably won't be seeking aesthetic services here but I will be back for a haircut. read more

Y'all need to go get your cut and head massage with Mikaela! I look amazing cuz of her!

Although I knew a student would be relaxing my hair, I didn't know she would be doing it completely unsupervised. A relaxer is a chemical and has to be applied a certain way. Someone I assumed was an instructor/teacher gave the student instructions, left never to be seen again. The student followed only one of the instructions. Everything else she did was wrong. The worst mistake she made was leaving the relaxer in for 45 minutes. Mizani confirmed that the maximum time for leaving in a relaxer is 20 minutes. I don't recommend getting any chemical treatment here. Too much risk of something going wrong. read more

Great training institute at a discounted price! There's a multitude of various services they offer and students are coached by a supervisor. I got a facial for the first time ever (complimentary of my birthday if you sign up for their emails) and it was amazing! I also got my hair cut as a bob and it was a bit shorter than I expected to even out both sides but overall it turned out great and I'm not as picky with my hair. read more

Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute - Hair cut - Cosmetology Schools Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

Tldr: Ive never gotten my hair cut at a school before but I have to say I had a pleasant experience! My haircut was by Joya, who did a pretty good job. The total was $18 which includes a hair wash (which I didn't realize) and I was there for about 1.5 hours. I was a little surprised at how crowded the stations seemed though (with COVID and all), but at this point in the pandemic I don't mind it as much. I would have thought they'd do every other station, but people were bumping into each other so if that bothers you I'd recommend booking at a time in the day when there's less people. (I came at 4pm on a Wed) From beginning to end the process took about 1.5 hours, obviously a bit longer than I'd like but I was warned about this and was prepared. I checked in and met Joya, filled out a covid form, got seated at her station, and told her about what I was looking for. I think I should have brought a reference picture because I'll be honest, the end result was not exactly what I was looking for, but in retrospect it did fit my description and I still ended up with a good haircut. I think my issue was it was a lot shorter than I was expecting, but I also did say in the beginning the length didn't really matter so that's my bad lol. Anyways, after that she took me back to get my hair washed, which was actually really nice! She did the whole head massage and everything. The hair washing station was also in a separate section with dimmer lighting and spa music so it was a surprisingly relaxing experience. Joya (and I saw the other students do this too) would check in with her instructor before, in the middle, and after the haircut just to do like a spot check. I could really tell the attention to detail the students tried to have as they took their time cutting the hair, it was a very different experience from my usual quick and snappy haircuts. At the end, I just got my hair blow dried straight. When we went to check out, she suggested some products for me, but I just ended up buying a shampoo bar because I was in need of one anyways and I saw that they had one. I only get my haircut like once a year, but id definitely come back here again! And would def recommend if you just want a simple trim. read more

What a remarkable enterprise. I stopped by, made an appointment, and was not disappointed. The production was amazing: A mentor/instructor sized up the condition of my hair; recommended a particularly talented stylist; and my problem hair was soon corrected. I was surprised by the immense salon -- it is much bigger than I thought originally, and the noise level is high. But so is the satisfaction of clients leaving with their hair (and other services). I will be back. Faye C. read more

Have been watching and waiting anxiously for this school to open. Then they open but only offered spa services. Finally I got an ad to buy a gift certificate and, when I checked the menu, saw they were doing hair. Yay!Called and got an appointment that same day. I was greeted courteously upon arrival. I was Tinaya's fist client. She was very meticulous and professional. Many people checked in on her and sometimes gave her tips on technique for faster or better results. Zaria did my brows. She too consulted someone when I made a comment. This is a very professional school. I think the students have bright futures! read more

This was my first but not my last visit! I went to Isabel. I am vey happy with my haircut. Isabel is a true professional. She is going to have a brilliant career. I highly recommend the Aveda Institute! I wish I knew about this gem sooner. read more

Aveda cancelled on me three times. Even though they are students, they aim to find work after graduation. They need to learn about work ethics. Our time is equally valued as theirs!!! read more

Hair cut was "okay". I am moving soon and plan to get it "fixed" by my normal stylist I am beyond perplexed why it took so long. I came in with a specific formula for my typical hair color. This typically takes about 1.5 hours with blow dry. My stylist took over four hours and, as a result of her taking so long to color my hair, it is much darker than i expected. She was also on her phone, texting, and generally uninterested the whole time. She was also extremely rough - i felt like my scalp was on fire the whole time i was there. I plan to meet with my usual stylist to fix my hair soon. I was pretty unhappy with my haircut when I left, but I was not willing to stay there for any longer given that I had been there for 4.5 hours already. I have tried to cut some of my own layers since my appointment. The least of my worries is that she blow dried my hair with no product.... As a wavy girl, I'd honestly rather leave with my hair wet with no product than what she tried to let me leave with. read more

I had such a fantastic experience at Aveda! I'm new to the area and this seemed like the perfect chance to shop around hairstylists. Super organized and professional environment. Aveda is extremely affordable, you're helping students finish their education, and the quality of experience is great. Mackenzie absolutely SLAYED my full foil highlight, I am so happy with my hair, better than salons I've been to in the past. Make sure to ask your stylist for their venmo so you can tip them!! 10/10 and I will be back! read more

Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute - Cosmetology Schools Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

I love Aveda and all the services they provide! If your looking to get self-care done for a budget-friendly rate this is your spot. The students are well trained equipped and offer amazing service! The teachers are always supervising. I've come here a few times. For the hair services, I went with my daughter because I needed help with her curls. I asked for a curl expert and that is exactly what I got. The student (Amanda ) was amazing and she educated me on curly hair. I learned so much and she honestly helped my daughter feel confident in her hair. In addition, they use high-quality products that are plant-based and super good for you. I've also been here for facials and I highly recommend it. So relaxing and super zen! If you are on a budget consider Aveda for your self-care! The price is so sustainable that it fits any budget. read more

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WARNING WARNING This is for future Esthetician Students. PLEASE do not apply to this school. This school does not have your best interest. Not only do they promise you great training and supplies included with your cost....classes are from 9:00am to 8:00pm and half the time the students are just sitting there not doing anything at all. More than half the supplies that should be given to you because it's included in your cost you NEVER receive them. You can't practice on each other because they are ALWAYS out of supplies. The new Esthetician teacher leaves the room more than the students do. She isn't a good teacher. She doesn't have the right character to deal with the students in a proper way. Clients do not know there's an Esthetician program there because the school doesn't promote it. The school is just taking people's money and not giving them the proper education to succeed in the real world. If a student complains nothing is ever done. The program is almost $13,000 and you don't even get a quarter of the training that other schools give. Please believe me when l say this school is just a face without real teachers that know how to teach future employees....save yourself the headache and look for a different school. The heads of Aveda do not care about you. My next complaint will be with the State Council of Higher Education in Virginia. Schools like this should not exist. read more