Athena Aveda Salon Spa (Reported Closed)

Doesn't Recommend

Kate G.

Joined 1 year ago

Imelda will ruin your hair.. I bought a Gilt deal to get a haircut at this salon and had high hopes- I guess I figured that any salon with the name 'Aveda' tied to it, and located in the downtown area, would be a safe bet- was I ever wrong!

I agree with the previous reviewer about the odd, dinky massage. Don't get me wrong, I like a massage, but this one was just strange- lasted about a minute and involved putting my face in a donut-shaped section of the massage chair covered with an old towel; this setup is right next to the waiting area chairs.

The hairdresser I was given was Imelda. She wandered over coughing and with an apathetic look on her face. Before she would give her attention to me, she spent a solid 70 seconds or so texting someone on her phone. It was at this point that I got my first inkling that this might not be the sort of salon experience to which I was accustomed. I don't know if she knew I had a discount coupon, but whether or not this was made known to her, that's the way I was treated. I told her I wanted about three inches taken off and some layers added- pretty straightforward. A quick 36 minutes after I walked into the salon, I walked out, and not at all with what I had asked for. The fact that the haircut was so quick is an indication of the brusque, indifferent manner with which Imelda cut my hair, as was the long strand of hair that I found she had neglected to cut after I left the salon. She took off 6 or 7 inches, which wasn't remotely what I wanted, but seemed to be what she thought was best for my hair. In reading online reviews after my horrible experience, it is clear that many others have gotten similar terrible haircuts from Imelda. Don't risk this happening to you- go to a different salon.

Doesn't Recommend

SarahKelton

Joined 2 years ago

Avoid this place!. This business is rude, arrogant and severely overpriced. Just go elsewhere.

Recommends

Mel Bananas

Joined 4 years ago

The Best Blondes, Reds and cut you will. I have been going to see Olga Bulycheva of Athena Aveda for years, and because of this have always been known for having 'good hair'. People stop me on the street asking me who did my color, where did I get such an awesome cut, if I got my hair done in NYC... it got to the point where I had to start carrying Olga's cards around with me. A couple times I thought I would venture out and see what other stylists were out there, and have always come running back begging for her to fix it.

Basically this... Olga is amazing, Aveda provides amazing product and terrific color options, especially in reds and blonds (which I typically opt for).

Everyone that I have ever referred to Olga has thanked me for it and has become a steady client. Even my most conservative friends, who were initially a bit nervous because of Olga's unique and funky style, told me "She really listened to what I wanted, and didn't try to push me to do anything I was uncomfortable with".

Frankly, Olga is magic and I am lucky to have her as my stylist...If you want the best cut and color in Boston, I suggest you find her!

- You wont be sorry.

Recommends

RaMustang

Joined 4 years ago

Excellent Aveda Day Spa in Boston. This spa offers great facials, massage and hair treatments. Friendly, attentive staff. Always a great experience. Highly recommend!

Recommends

anamb226

Joined 5 years ago

got a very fashionable haircut. I went to a hair model appointment on Memorial Day (5/24). My stylist was Andrew, from former Yugoslavia, (shorter guy, dark hair, amiable, with an elfin air) and he was great. I had let my hair go, had my husband do the trimming in the back, and it showed. Andrew styled it into a cropped, sleek bob cut that looked good even a week later (normally my hair goes limp within 3 days). A friend of mine decided to go get a haircut after looking at my newly styled hair. I usually style my hair just by blow-drying it, and even I couldn't ruin the beautiful shape of this haircut; it still looks good 3 weeks later.

Landreth supervised the training and he clearly was an expert and a perfectionist (in a very good sense). Also, as a small aside, if you'd ever wondered what he looks like, he's tall, skinny, well-dressed and very sharply styled (blonde hair, fashionable glasses). I could tell that the other two male stylists were learning how to emulate the master in terms of fashion choices and confident approach with clients.

The person who recruited me for the session was named Danielle (tall girl with bleached blonde hair and confident manner), and I could see her working on her own model, who got a shoulder-length haircut. To me it looked great, also, and the other model seemed pleased with the cut so far, but I left before her, so I can't tell you her ultimate reaction. All in all, the stylists seemed to get great training and supervision from Landreth, and I would definitely return to have my hair done by either of the two named stylists (and I'm also definitely not letting my husband trim my hair).

The receptionist was bussinesslike, a bit impersonal, but I sort of like to blend in the decor, so that was fine with me.

I did not see the owner, but the atmosphere at the place to me was fine, I did not feel at all treated "like a supercuts patron", and I wasn't even a paying customer! The actual decor could be improved, since the place looked a bit small, but they are moving to a new location, so maybe they're working on that aspect of the problem. All in all, I would recommend this salon. In my limited experience, it compared favorably with the Umi Salon, where I was also a model last year, and where the reception is friendlier, but the supervising staff seemed to be a bit more critical (with good results for the clients, but perhaps not so good for the employees?).

Doesn't Recommend

carly12345

Joined 4 years ago

avoid this salon. the people that work at this salon are not on time, they are rude, and are careless at what they do. there are other places in boston that use aveda products - i wish i had gone somewhere else for the ridiculous price i had to pay for nothing.

Recommends

NorCalLindz

Joined 4 years ago

Landreth is fabulous : ). I've been going to Aveda salons my whole life because I love the products and I loooove this salon! I started about six years ago when it was under different ownership but all the staff basically stayed the same. I saw the same stylist for cut and color for 4 years or so and then we started having different opinions, I was very dissatisfied with my hair after one particular visit but was VERY pleased to find that the owner and stylist were both quick to make me feel better about it and fix it to my liking. After that visit though I decided to find someone more my style and thank God I found Landreth! He's just the best. Not only does he make my hair look fabulous but he sings me Disney tunes the whole time too : ) His color is impeccable and his cuts always frame my face wonderfully. I've been highlighting my hair for the last ten years and he still manages to make it look fresh and new even though it's really the same thing. I have a ton of hair so it takes forever but he always makes me comfortable and I never felt rushed or like a lot of work even though I am! I recently moved to Miami and miss him terribly as my favorite stylist and as a super fun person to be around! I highly recommend a visit to the salon if you want gorgeous hair!

** Ps the staff in general is fabulous too. You are always treated to a sensory treatment (mini massage) and tea or water by very friendly folks. I've had full massages and facials here and recommend them as well, I love an Aveda facial. Do it! It's worth it!

Recommends

kentuckygalinboston

Joined 5 years ago

BEST SALON....EVER!!!. I'm not normally one to go to websites and post reviews. After my recent visits to this salon, I felt the need to do so.

I'm very easy-going when it comes to my hair and when choosing a stylist. All I want is someone to do a good job and I really want to get what I pay for. I've been living in the Boston area for a little over 3 years and I've been to 4 different salons before visiting Athena. I didn't necessarily have awful experiences but I definitely wasn't getting anything to talk about.

I went into Athena for the first time because I needed a haircut. My friend had already scheduled her appointment and I decided to go with her. The week of the appointment I decided that I wanted to cut my hair short. I went into Athena with pictures and an exact idea of what I wanted. My stylist was Landreth. It was love at first cut that's for sure. For some reason I just "clicked" with him. I felt very comfortable and I trusted his judgement. He gave me his opinions which I LOVE and truly appreciate. My haircut was absolutely amazing. After receiving such a fantastic cut, I decided to book an appointment to get my hair colored the following week.

I went in for the color session knowing that my current color was completely wrong. I had blonde highlights with some red and brown...it was just wrong. Landreth said I need a complete overhaul and I agreed. He really took the time to tell me what he thought would match my eyes and skin tone. I left the salon with the most beautiful hair that I've had in my entire life. I feel like a new woman. My husband, coworkers and friends all agree that it looks awesome. I can't recommend this salon and Landreth enough. He's funny, professional, charming, honest, and literally the best stylist I've ever had.

Recommends

Nikibean

Joined 5 years ago

Micayla is the ONLY stylist i will go to now!! WOW!. I had an amazing experience at Athen! I am VERY picky aboout my hair and went in there just for a quick trim and a blowdry. My stylist was Micayla and she was beyond fantastic. I loved how she styled it and she never took her focus off me or my hair. I felt confident enough with her to book again and have her dye my hair. Normally i get very figity in the chair but I was relaxed as ever with her coloring my hair! She went to the Aveda Inst. in New York and REALLY knows the line well. she's great with giving her opinion on what style is right for your face and color for your skin, without making you feel like you no nothing. She is an AMAZING hair stylest and a lovely young lady to talk to!

Doesn't Recommend

Jen917

Joined 5 years ago

Customer Burned!!!. The ONLY good thing about Athena Aveda is they are pretty accomodating when scheduling last minute waxing appointments but it ends there. I was in the salon for a routine brow and upper lip waxing. To start, I was there 10 minutes prior to my scheduled appointment when I was told that they appointment before me had yet to arrive. I waited an additional ten minutes for this other customer to arrive to have "Christine" take the appointment that I had arrived for. I waited yet another 15 minutes for her to finish up with this person. I was hurried downstairs for the most PAINFUL WAXING of my life. As I lay there with my eyes closed, the pain so excruciating, tears started to roll down my cheeks. The upper lip wax wasn't AS painful, but she was unprepared and had to leave the room to get waxing strips. I was then rushed upstairs, and she seemed to notice that skin was actually removed from my brow bone, and in between my brows, as she exclaimed, "my, you DO have sensitive skin". She proceeded to put makeup over the areas that were waxed. I understand that there is some redness, maybe puffiness, as a result of waxing, but my flesh was actually ripped off. It took nearly a week and a tube of neosporin before the skin healed. I would caution you very strongly to think twice before getting waxed at Athena Aveda.