Well first off i LOVE aveda products. .There is something about thier signature scent that I find immensely pleasing. So I thought hey! I will check out the academy, cut my costs and help the students with thier studies. Now you have to know as this is a school they are following everything to the letter. Good if your stylist is switched on, not so good if they are not.
I had been going consistently for almost a year and enjoyed the service, cuts and experience.... ( see my swizzlesticks review and you will see I followed my stylist there). Usually after I walked in for an appt a doe eyed staff member would be standing there with a tray and a little cup of "comfort tea" for me.....following their best protocols to be sure. I would be escorted downstairs to change into my cutting frock and then led upstairs for the cut.
They used to do this thing where they would make you close your eyes and then smell some of the essential oils ( 3 of them usually) and then after i would choose one, they would give me a scalp massage and cut .
If you get a talented student you get a good cut in a reasonable amount of time. If you a less talented one, you can be in for an epic haircut....not in a good way.
Your haircut will never be bad as the educators will always double check the work and step in when necessary, however one time I was in the chair for now less than 90 minutes and the young stylist was no where near finished. The educator stepped in and finished it up. I havent gone there in a while now but I did get food value for what I spent. When I used to go, a haircut, scalp massage, wash and dry was about 20 bucks for a student cut.
If you are at all curious about it, give it a go.