Fringe Benefits: An Introduction to Calgary’s Aveda Institute

Walking into Aveda Institute, your surroundings give you a sense of artistry. The floors are polished concrete, softly lit umbrellas line the wall giving the impression of a studio atmosphere. If Aveda were an art gallery, it would be known for its simplicity and its forward thinking attitude. Hair styling requires creativity, passion and artistic flair, so it’s not surprising that a place bursting with so much aesthetic talent would draw parallels to a gallery.

On the bustling strip of Stephen Avenue, Aveda made the transition from Aveda Academy to the Aveda Institute last fall, a change that allowed them to welcome budding hair styling students into a provincially accredited 12 month program.

The main floor serves as the salon, where guests have the chance to have their hair cut, styled, dyed and pampered by “educators” and supervised student staff members. Just below, students spend much of their program in hands on study, benefiting from the instruction of seasoned Aveda educators.

Now, like anybody, the horror stories of a wide-eyed girl or guy looking for a deal, innocent and undeterred by the student stylist’s lack of experience, who leave the salon with, well, a really bad haircut run rampant. As I talk to Aveda Institute educator Leland, he describes the great lengths students must go through in order to become certified hairstylists, and the preventative measures in place to prevent guests from leaving the institute feeling dissatisfied or displeased.

Aveda’s hands on education process fosters an environment of learning catering to an individual student’s learning type, while helping them through every step of the cutting and styling process.

Aveda Benefit One

Guests can opt for a more cost friendly cut if they select a student stylist during the booking process. Though the idea of a student handling your precious hair may sound frightening, every student cut is thoroughly supervised by experienced certified stylists. On the flip side, guests can choose junior or academy level educators for their session, benefiting from the ongoing hands on involvement educators have, keeping their minds and their sheers sharp.

Aveda Benefit Two

Perhaps one of the most relaxing hair treatments I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying, Aveda offers a soothing Botanical Hair and Scalp Therapy. Stylists assess your hair and scalp needs, selecting botanical oils to fight a variety of problems including dry or oily scalp or hair. From there, you may find yourself drifting off into a world of relaxation as your stylist massages the oil into your hair and scalp, then activates the oil with heat, deep treating your scalp and hair while giving you a sense of well-being.

Aveda Benefit Three

Guests can enjoy spa grade hair treatments, repairing “between-cut” damage while putting them in state of deep relaxation.

Famous for its extensive line of certified organic hair products, all packed in 80 to 96 % post consumer recycled packaging. For those of us who aren’t familiar with recycling lingo, basically Aveda helps keep over 300,000 pounds of plastic out of landfills. All Aveda products are made entirely of natural ingredients sourced from suppliers around the world, who they partner with directly to assist in converting their farms to organic standards.

The aim is to reduce waste and protect the world’s water and earth from harmful pesticides and chemicals. Aveda’s earth friendly attitude goes beyond its green products. Every April, the company participates in Earth Month campaigns in twenty-four countries, donating 100% of their proceeds since 2006. The funds go to projects in fifteen countries to help provide clean water to developing communities.

Aveda Benefit Four

Guests can purchase guilt free products that not only help protect our planet from further eco-damage, but the twelve natural ingredients used in Aveda’s products create a distinct and pleasant aroma many people comment on. On top of your own personal part in saving the planet, you can feel good knowing you support a company so heavily invested in protecting and sharing our planet’s clean water supply.

As an Aveda guest you are treated to a plethora of sensory experiences, including complimentary Comforting Tea, an optional Aroma Sensory Journey, a soothing shoulder or hand massage and make-up touch ups when your styling is complete.

The institute offers many benefits above and beyond the “good cut”. Not only can you expect a thorough hair-styling experience, but you can leave laden with hair products feeling like a humanitarian, protecting the planet one shampoo bottle at a time. Finally, you may find yourself becoming an Aveda addict knowing that an international award winning company still prides itself in creating a unique, customer focused experience that will leave you feeling fulfilled and fabulous.

For more information on Aveda Institute Calgary or its products, programs and services visit: http://www.aveda-institutecalgary.com