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Aveda Lifestyle Salon & Spa
Rating Details »
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- By Appointment Only:
- Yes
19 reviews for Aveda Lifestyle Salon & Spa
The $10-20 more you would pay for the same service doesn't seem to all be going for customer service. Sure, you get tea -- but a lot of inexpensive places do that. If you ask me, I think it's going towards the expensive rent. The two times I've been it's felt rushed, as would be expected from a busy mall shop. Yes, "hit or miss" truly applies as your experience relies on a number of factors - how busy they are (which it almost always is), who the staff are, who gives you the massage...
If you want that real experience I would suggest you find an obscure, mom-and-pop type of place. Some of them may not be able to give you that shower or samples of shampoo/conditioner and moisturizer but at least you'll feel relaxed (which should be the #1 priority) and that you've got your money's worth.
I've had the best pedicure experiences here and will now only have them done at Aveda whenever I visit Honolulu. The nail aestheticians are super nice and sweet and always do a great job. I love my sparkly toes.
There are only two pedicure stations so be sure to make reservations in advance. And take a friend with you - it's fun to catch up here while you're being pampered.
While I was waiting for Laxmi, I got a free cup of tea (no caffeine, no sugar). Shannon from Aveda also gave me a free sample of the smooth infusion style-prep smoother, no coupon required. I also had him test a Caribbean exfoliator on my left arm. I walked out in the end with three pamphlets. I'll be back on Tuesday. I have coupons.
This is the only salon I let get anywhere near my hair. If you give input you get precisely what you want. If you're cruising they'll use their best judgement and choose something flattering to your face shape and the qualities of your hair such as texture and thickness. I've always been super pleased with my haircuts from Aveda. They also do the coloring of my hair (heavy blonde highlighting) and they're able to produce consistent results and keep everything balanced. I also go here for brow and brazilian waxing, the body wraps and massages. I do still go to Kailua Nails for manicures and pedicures because they are considerably cheaper with a hot stone massage; the manicures and pedicures at Aveda are good if they're part of a package but not really worth the drive into town for that alone. With haircuts they do a complimentary hand massage with their great rosemary mint lotion. You can also opt for a deep conditioning with any hair service.
Ask at the front desk for input as to which stylist you should see for what you need to have done. They're honest and really their stylists are wonderful. If you are too cheap to pay for one of the more experienced stylists and fail to give input expect to get what you paid for. There is a reason why the stylists are on a graduated fee scale.
Oh, and with spa services you receive a complimentary foot soak and use of their steam room & showers. The steam room is wonderful, it sounds as though you're in the rainforest and it's beautiful. The shower has an overhead shower head in addition to the normal one on the wall; it kind of feels like you're standing in the rain.
I really do love Aveda and enjoy each service I receive here. This is the standard I judge other spas and salons by and honestly the majority pale in comparison.
I've been to Paul Brown at Ward and Element Spa on Kapiolani, and I think Aveda is hands down the best overall spa experience. The ambience is wonderful, the service is great, and you're welcome to just hang out and use all the amenities! The steam sauna is awesome! And I love all the Aveda products.
I wish I could give this place 10 stars! Granted, I've only been here once a long time ago for a facial, but the experience blew me away! I was a complete facial virgin when I came in here, but thought I'd pamper myself and go to the best. I'm still beating myself up for not getting the aesthetician's name, but she was AMAZAING!! She didn't talk too much and when she did, it was in such a soothing tone. She was very experienced and I left with the most wonderful high! The funny thing was, I had booked the most basic facial where they give you a questionnaire and then do the facial according to your answers. I think they messed up and gave me the deluxe facial or something. Heck, I wasn't gonna correct their mistake! I slipped into this luxurious robe and had a nice foot massage before my facial. During the actual facial, I also got a hand, arm, neck, and scalp massage. So nice! Then afterwards, you can relax in their waiting room with a cup of tea and enjoy a foot bath. I will never forget my first experience at this spa. You never, ever forget your first. But boy, was it expensive!!
I was in desperate need of a haircut and a little me-time after giving birth 3 weeks ago - I had a gift card for Aveda and decided to try them out. I had a beginning stylist, Keano, who was really friendly and personable. He started with some aromatherapy and a mini head, neck, and shoulder massage - I think it lasted only about 5 minutes - wouldn't mind if it was a bit longer.
He was very meticulous while cutting my hair and added his own ideas in addition to what I wanted and now I love my hair style! The last few haircuts I got, the stylist did exactly what I wanted - Keano asked a few questions about how what I do and how much time I would spend on styling my hair. He offered a bunch of suggestions that would benefit my on-the-go schedule. I'll definitely be back again and requesting Keano.
1 star for: I once paid about $100 to look like crap. My updo was absolute CRAP, with bumps and everything. What the hell was she doing for so long, with so much product, that I ended up looking like THAT?! For $100 I would at least expect no bumps. I went home and took it down; furious as I got ready for the Opera Ball.
3 stars for: their rosemary/mint shampoo & conditioners. Feels nice and clean, though I find I need a heftier conditioner afterwards.
Average (duh): 2 Stars.
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6/26/07
OMG, this Aveda is so annoying. This is the second time that they've called to remind me that I have an appointment for highlights and cut WHEN I HAVE NO APPOINTMENT. After paying $100 to look like crap the first time, there's no way I'm getting my hair done there. I called Aveda back for the second time (did this several months ago too) to let them know that they have the wrong person. There is someone else with the same name as me getting their hair done at Aveda, and I'm getting all their reminder calls.
Star reduction!
Definitely one of the best massages I've ever had, even though it was only 50 minutes. We started off with a sensory foot bath, which is a pretty good idea considering most people probably walk in wearing slippers and you don't want the person massaging you to move from your feet to your face without first cleaning your feet.
My girl, Isavel, mixed up a bunch of massage techniques including lomi lomi and it was super nice. The aromatherapy that Aveda is known for was pleasant as well. I was hoping to get a citrus scent as an option, but it was nice choosing from some different options. I went with a eucalyptus-geranium mix which was balancing.
The space itself is much nicer than the San Francisco one, which I was rather impressed by considering that the spa is inside a mall. After the massage session, I was offered the steam room which I passed on but did take advantage of the shower stocked with Aveda products and a rain showerhead. Very nice overall.
I know, why is a guy writing a review about this place???
Well, I am secure and besides, I love their products! I first came across the Aveda brand when i was staying at a W Hotel in California. The smell was amazing and even for a guy. Well, the W Hotel does not use Aveda any more, they switched to Bliss which is just as good.
One of the reviewers said that he paid $85 for a haircut, that is weird, their price list says $40. Also, if you want quality service, it is best you set up an appointment. I don't come here too often, because I hate malls but when I do run low on shampoo and gel, I usually get a cut as well.
Oh, and as for customer service, I always had a very pleasant experience and they even gave me this hand wash with message for free, I would have declined the service but my sister forced me to obliged!
They fed me tea...
I bought someone a giftcard from here. The people inside were very friendly. They seemed to have a lot of staff on hand.
Prices are higher than any other salon I've witnessed (I'm a guy, so I've witnessed very few...).
3 stars because she actually did a great job shaping my eyebrows and was very meticulous. She was absolutely sure to remove every hair out of place.
She did, however, burn me. The wax was waaaaay too hot. When i told her she started blowing on it to cool it down. I thought maybe it was just me, but 2 days later i still have a burn mark. I know it will peel off, but it was quite painful.
Fortunately they were really cool about refunding my money, and didn't even ask that I come in and prove to them that i really do have a burn.
Price: 25 for wax + tip
Only 1 star because I've not had a decent service here. Unfortunately I'm a little bit picky about the service I receive, but who isn't? I cannot complain because a trip back home to the mainland isn't always possible and this is the only place I can trust as of right now. I only do waxing there and am too picky to get my hair done. I think it all depends if you go on a good day or not...its a hit or miss for me.
While in Portland, OR I went to an Aveda Salon there to get my hair cut. I paid $35 including tip (!) and got amazing service -- genuine, friendly greeters, thorough consultation, something like a 10 minute neck massage (it was SO SO SO good!!!), scalp massage while the guy washed my hair, a great cut, and style with products who's scent was completely addicting.
Craving the smell again back home, I went to this Aveda to get my hair cut. I spent $85. The people at the front didn't give a flying f*** about you, and everything (massage, wash, cut) felt rushed. Don't think I'll be back there again.
Aveda is a beautiful spa, with ok service. I've gone there a total of three times. The first time was to get a manicure. It was ok. But I paid way more than I have at other places, and the work was pretty much the same as any average place, but at three times the price! The second time was for a massage, which was pretty nice, I must admit. But again, I've had better at other places for a cheaper price. The third time (the time that really turned me off) was to get a haircut. I'd received decent service as a spa, so I figured I would give the salon side a try. It was NOT a great idea. They do what you ask for sometimes, but with no input from their side whatsoever. I asked for a cut, assuming that they would be able to use their eye to adjust to the needs of my hair (isn't that what a hairdresser does?) but they didn't. My hair came out poufy on the sides, and my bangs were much shorter and messier than I had wanted (I wanted straight bangs that covered my eyebrows, but they gave me bangs that were choppy, and didn't touch my eyebrows. They took FOREVER to grow out). Needless to say, I did not return. I was pretty nervous about new hairdressers for a while, but I finally found a great one... try Chop at Restaurant Row. Gizel is awesome!
I love all the little extras that come with a traditional haircut or massage here. Not only do you get what you've paid for, but with each haircut you get a neck and hand massage with aromatherapy treatment--a very relaxing way to start a salon trip. I had the hydratheraphy massage here one day, which was great, though the "hydratherapy" part was really just laying on plastic pillows filled with water while getting a massage--completely unnecessary and made me a little sweaty actually. but the foot massage that came unexpectedly before the actual massage was great, and the steam room afterward was a great way to unwind.
overall, aveda is a great place to spend a day when you're stressed or just looking for a way to fill the time. you can often get an appointment on very short notice, which was great for me, as i'm never quite sure when i'll want to go ;)
Leah no longer does waxing here, so I quit going
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/25/2008
I highly recommend Leah for waxing. I am very happy with how she does my eyebrows. She takes the… Read more »
the lady who permed my hair was really nice but in the end, destroyed and terribly damaged my hair. she did not bother to think about my hair condition before the process.
but other than that incident....there is another lady who trimmed my bangs and colored my hair and did a really good job. they do really good with eye brows too :]
After a stressful day, I decided to get a pedicure. Unfortunately the place I usually go to was booked, so I called around and finally got an early evening appointment the Aveda Salon and Spa in Honolulu. The experience was very relaxing. The nail technician (stated on her business card) could tell I was stressed so she had me use this blue oil--which was a mixture of peppermint and something else. It was great, but at $12.00 a vial, I didn't purchase it. The pedicure included the usual: foot soak, scrub, callous removal, massage, polish--she did a great job and my heels are still quite smooth, it's been over a week and a half since my appointment--What impressed me was the hot towels she put on after using a scrub. That relaxed me and made the experience 'spa like'. My tootsies look great, but it was quite expensive--almost $60! I plan to go back later this month for both a mani and pedi in preparation for my NY trip.
