I've been to the Aveda at Gallery Place twice and would not return. The students were not very competent, which is ok as they are learning, but they were not closely supervised. I also found the instructors to be very rude. The haircuts take at least two hours which is another downside, although again to be expected.

I don't live near you, but they're national so I'll comment.

I went to Aveda once - the service was good, but the products, because they're natural, are not a good match for my hair which needs harsher shit that can tame super-frizz. But it was fine.

I go to Paul Mitchell on the regular. For them to color, cut, blow dry and flat iron my hair takes about four hours. I bring a book. I'd say one out of every 12-15 times there's a problem, but it's always been fixable (knock wood!). So I'd recommend them, but do suggest asking for someone who's 3 months or fewer away from graduating. The bad thing is the students are graduating so you won't be able to go to them on the regular.

I've been going to Graham Webb for years. They are getting graded on your cut/color, etc., and are being monitored, and are encouraged to ask for help when needed. I've never been upset with any of my cuts there. If you get your hair colored, the only students who are allowed to color hair are near graduation, and most are already working in a salon.

With that said... it does take longer than a normal salon. Their cuts are very technical. So allocate 2 the normal time you would set aside for whatever service you are getting. But the savings are worth it. A full set of highlights and a cut cost $95.

I've had a few haircuts at Graham Webb. The students doing the work always have to have their plan approved by an instructor before they pick up the scissors, so you're not going in completely unprotected. But because of all the checking and double-checking, it does take significantly longer than usual.

I had a facial at Aveda which was nice. Two downers- they tried to upsell me a lot. This was sort of annoying as I kept saying "um it's okay, just want to leave it as is".

At one point, they brought in a "specialist" who suggested some extra exfoliant. I thanked her, but said, slightly more firmly this time, that I was okay with the standard package.

I thought the facialist did a good job, although she did try to get me to buy a lot of so-so products at the end. I imagine this will happen at a hair salon too.

That said, you CAN get a good deal on a nice haircut/facial/etc!

Be prepared for your cut or color to take a VERY long time.

I'm thinking about having my hair colored by Graham Webb Academy, a beauty school located in Rosslyn. Anyone have experience with them, or with another beauty school in the area, such as Paul Mitchell or Aveda?

TIA!