Aveda Institute of Jacksonville

Today I went to the Aveda Institute for a haircut. This insitute is a training facility so your hair is cut by students and the process is supervised by trainers. It's an 11-month program and my stylist, Karlie, was in her seventh month. The process was a little longer than a regular haircut. First, Karlie reviewed what I wanted and went over her recommendations, then a trainer came over an reviewed it with us. Then she began with a scalp and shoulder massage using Blue Oil, followed by a shampoo and deep conditioning treatment, followed by haircut and blowdry. If you're not familiar with Aveda, their products are all natural and they smell like heaven (Really, I'm pretty sure Jesus' hair smells like blue oil).

Karlie consulted again with the trainer on "removing some weight" from my hair, and gave me an awesome blowout. She was extremely competent and I wouldn't have know that she was a student if I weren't in a hair school. She was also friendly and patient while I pelted her with annoying questions. I had a job interview later and I'm pretty sure they'll offer me the job based on my hair alone.

The institute is located right next to Whole Foods in Mandarin (10601 San Jose Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32257). It's got a great friendly vibe, was very clean, and well run -- they have a little headphone system for the front desk to notify the stylists so I hardly waited at all before Karlie came up front to get me when I arrived. It's a little sparsely decorated -- the sinks are divided from the rest of the salon by an unpainted cinderblock wall. But I would so highly recommend going here. I've never been to a hair school before. I was pretty snooty back in the day and have paid for some fancy-schmancy haircuts (Red Door Salon), and this cut is comparable in quality. Again, I could spend all day sniffing Aveda shampoo so maybe I have a problem, but the massage/shampoo/condition/style was worth $12, even without considering the haircut. Keep in mind that you may have one or two trainers looking at and touching your hair. And if you have a fear of beheaded dolls, be forewarned -- the stylists that don't have clients are all practicing styles on mannequin heads.

I had a Val-Pak coupon for a free haircut, free pedicure, and $20 off of a color service ( I checked the Val-Pak website and they're not currently offering the coupon anymore. But the PRICES are extremely reasonable (normally $12 for a haircut). Word - the stylists don't get paid per haircut but do get to keep their tips, so be nice.