I love Aveda - and I love the fact that every single product I have ever tired WORKS and has not caused an allergic reaction...my massage therapist is at Aveda...*sigh*...which makes it worth the cost, IMHO.
Good Luck on making an informed decision, Ishhy.
emily

I used to work in an Aveda Concept salon.

Once I went to an Aveda education course and I really enjoyed it. At the time I was doing nails, so a lot of their products didn't tie directly with me and my career (Aveda doesn't have a line of nail products), however I was privy to purchasing their products. At the time the shampoo and conditioner products seemed a little harsh on my highlighted hair, but now that I've stopped highlighting and moved to a more humid climate, I've found the hair products to be fab in addition to really smelling wonderful.

A lot of education and natural products go into Aveda products, so you could say they were cutting edge when they first began.

Azeeza

Aveda spas are beautiful and I actually interviewed at one and got the job (I'm an esthetician) but declined since my personal experience is that it felt limited to me as far as skincare went. Even the owner of this particular spa couldn't use the products. And as a technician I've seen many clients whose skin was fried after an Aveda facial. But many people do love the product as well. I personally didn't have a fab experience with it either. I think you'd get a great education there. I'm not being negative I hope you don't think that....just wanted to share my own experience. And I'm only speaking from the Aesthetics side of it. And not every product works for everyone so keep this in mind. It's definitely a higher level of education than just a regular beauty college. I will say since I've been in the industry a while now to make sure you learn as much as you can and not just with one product or theory in cosmetology....it will make you more valuable once you get out there....whereever you decide to go. The more you have under your belt when you have your license the more marketable you will be. I hope this helps and good luck in your journey.....this is a great industry. You get to help people feel and look better about themselves and when you're done at the end of the day you're done. I love it and am glad I made the switch 8 years ago.

Thank you guys so much! This is fantastic! I do expect to form good and bad reviews of specific products from Aveda and other companies during my training, in fact it's one things I'm really looking forward to learning about. There are 3 major and semi-major schools in my hometown that are all dreadful, and all the others in the country I've found just don't measure up. So I definitely believe Aveda is the best school I could possible choose.

I've also heard from Aveda grads that the company hold nazi-like beliefs in their products, and do everything they can to burrow that master race of beauty products into your minds. But that's fine, I'm sure I'll have oodles of fun trying out bunches of different things when I graduate and work somewhere else.

Yea, I'm well prepared for the intense product overload from them. But then I suspect the next company I work for will do the same thing. it's just part of the process.

Thankee Dearies!