
Our poor hair! Between blowdrying, flattening and curling irons, it gets quite the workout, especially during the holidays. That’s why I recently went to the Aveda Institute, to get my tresses in tip top shape before party season.
Aveda Institute Calgary
The Aveda Institute is training ground for students learning how to become hair stylists. They need folks to practice on, and offer super low rates in return. Fret not, before any service they discuss their plan with you and their instructor, who pops by repeatedly throughout your session to ensure all is going well.

Aveda treatment options
Since I’m the queen of frizz, I went with the botanical hair and scalp therapy treatment. There’s either a protein or moisture option, and cuz I highlight and flat iron my hair, protein was best for me. Aveda uses a quinoa protein that’s the closest thing to the natural keratine protein found in your hair. Using quiona apparently makes it impossible to over proteinize, but animal proteins can easily be overdosed, resulting in your hair looking like crap again.

Aveda hair school
The treatment begins with a heavenly essential oil scalp massage before a shampoo. Then a solution is sprayed on before the mask, which is left to set for 15 minutes. Then it’s a final shampoo before getting a natural texture blow dry.
You can’t get a full-on blow out with this treatment, as they need to use low heat so the hair cuticles don’t reopen. (If they did reopen, you’d lose all those precious proteins.) I received a twist diffuser blow dry, producing that just tumbled out of bed look with lovely corkscrew curls.
Where to get a cheap hair cut in Calgary
I was thrilled with the results. My hair looks healthier and it’s definitely not as frizzy. Being a beauty school, however, there are a few glitches, like a blast of cold water during the shampoo, thanks to the buildings ancient pluming. And being students, they’re pretty cautious, so expect services to take a wee bit longer than what you’re used to.
But the quality and pricing make it worth the while it in my books. I mean, where else in the city can you get a shampoo and blow out for $14 or a hair cut from $18? If you’re not keen to go with a student, you can choose an Educator or Academy Student who has already graduated, and just talking some advanced courses – a masters degree in hair, if you will.
Want to try it for yourself? Aveda is offering one lucky Travels with Baggage reader a free service of their choice. Simply comment below with your best hair tip or favourite Aveda product to enter. I’ll randomly draw a name next weekend and will announce the winner next Monday. Comments must be received by 6 p.m. Sunday, December 8.
So tell me, what’s your best hair tip or favourite Aveda product?
I would Love this!!!!My favorite Aveda product is the tea!!!!
I love the produc that leaves my head feeling tingly. not sure of the name
I think it’s the Rosemary Mint Shampoo. Love that stuff, too!
Hi Jody!
I don’t have a fav Aveda product which is why I would love to win this contest. I would like to learn more about the product line. My hair tip is let your hair air dry as much as possible to save on the drying effects of a blow dryer. I put on my make up, get dressed etc and by the time that’s all done my long hair is 1/3 of the way to being dry. Really works well and my hais is shinier and healthier.
Thanks for your consideration!
Laura
I have used the Blue Malva shampoo and conditioner for years to keep my hair a nice blonde and not brassy.
My tip is to use dry shampoo! Well actually, Jody, you gave me that tip years ago, but it’s still a good one. Dry shampoo gives my flat hair some lift and means I can get away with only washing my hair every 3-4 days.
If I can only pick one, because I love many of the Aveda products, it would be the Colour Conserve Shampoo and conditioner.
My hair tip is to rinse with as cold of water as you can stand. People are always asking me if I just had my hair colored but it will have been months since my last visit. I think this rinse technique is the reason my hair holds color so well
Now that is a great tip!
I have two great tips:
1) when blowing out your own hair be sure to pull your hair UP with the brush then roll it and dry it around the brush. By keeping all that hair in an upward motion you will get more lift on the finished product.
2) fav Aveda product is their Purefume. Essential oils in a spray. My fav is #6 which smells like the Shampure shamoo. All store have been out of it for about 6 months now so if you find some, call me!
I love their be curly products… And rosemary mint shampoo….. 🙂
I love their Pure Abundance line, makes my super fine hair actually look like I have some.
I love their Brilliant Finishing Gloss. Takes my flyaways after blowdrying and makes them silky smooth!
ilove it
I would Love this!!!!My favorite Aveda product is the Rosemary!!!
That’s a good one! Makes my scalp feel all tingly.