Fountain of Youth Aveda Salon Spa

I hate to be the person to write a negative review, but it's necessary. My boyfriend gifted me an appointment at this salon thinking it would be a high end service. Very opposite of that. We were ripped off $125 for a mediocre and lazy service. I'll just make this easy with a list of points.
1. Upon arrival, Cheri - the owner and my service provider - wasn't even in the salon. She didn't even know my appointment was at 10am, the doors were locked.
2. The salon was pretty messy, which I can overlook if the service was good. It was not. So I won't be overlooking that.
3. I received a scalp treatment, which is a pretty simple service... so for the cost Cheri was asking for you'd think she'd make sure to elevate it. She did not. She somewhat grazed my scalp in sections with a comb and then doused me with scalp solution. Which was dripping down my face at one point. Messy and sloppy work.
4. Her son who is a "junior stylist" and his friend who is "pursuing cosmetology school" were awkwardly lurking in the background of my whole appointment. They weren't rude, just awkward and took away from creating a relaxing environment. Also received a very lazy and awkward hand and arm massage from her son. He used so much lotion and barely did anything. Had to force my way through awkward conversation with this kid while he awkwardly rubbed my hand. Again, nice kid just really weird to charge so much money for some kid in a bright orange hat with a head lamp on and work clothes to kind of sort of rub your hand with 10 pounds of lotion.
5. My shampoo was done by her "junior stylist" son. It was horrible. A stylist in training who's working in a salon on real clients should be trained better. Bad technique and poor rinsing.
6. The blow dry. I requested a round brush blow out. Once via text and once in person. Cheri didn't even grab a hair clip to section my hair which is necessary for a round brush blow out. She applied the product so sloppily and rough dried my hair. At the very end for the last few seconds she kind of touched my hair with a round brush. No technique to it though or effort to make my hair look nice. Just lazy.

All of this totaled up to $125. ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY FIVE Dollars. I am also a licensed professional and have my own studio. I would truly pass away from embarrassment if I offered the service and level of professionalism that was offered by Cheri.

I texted and informed Cheri of my disappointment after thinking about it for a day or so. During the service I of course was polite and kind and left a cash tip - since I work for tips myself i am never cheap with that - and she only offered me $25 of a refund. She of coursed used my politeness during the service as a way to get out of offering me proper reimbursement.

Definitely would not recommend this place.

I wonder how one gets an appointment here. I called, but they don't seem to answer their own phone or return messages. I guess they don't want customers.

I delve further into the Pittsburgh Spa Scene with my latest visits to Fountain of Youth, sponsored by a Groupon for two 90 minute massages. My first experience was easily 4 stars, despite their being a minor hiccup. As I was driving in, they called to let me know they were running 20-30 minutes behind. Could I go grab a coffee and show up later? Sure. This was no big deal for me at all, and I really appreciated them calling instead of sitting and waiting for 30 minutes. I arrived 30 minutes later to their location on Reynold's St, catty-corner to Point Brugge.

When I arrived, they were all ready to go, and it went perfectly. The masseuse, Charlie, was fantastic. Knowledgeable, thorough, didn't talk too much, and applied the right amount of pressure. Afterwards, I was told about the specials they were running for Groupon users, but wasn't given the hard-sell. I checked out, and booked my second appointment very specifically with Charlie (which took a good 5 minutes).

The second appointment is when things went awry. I arrived, checked in, and was greeted by another masseuse. But wait, I went through a protracted scheduling conversation at my last visit to ensure I had Charlie at this location for my second massage. Curious. In addition to being assigned a different masseuse, they were running 30 minutes late. Internally, I'm agitated at this point. I mean, they send you an abundance of reminders. I get a text message, a call and an e-mail asking me to confirm the appointment. I reply to all of these, arrive on time, and then they get the masseuse wrong and they're not on time. Then, they start telling me it's not their fault they're running late because the woman ahead of me was being a bitch and demanded a 90 minute massage, when they had her down for a 60 minute. I could not believe one of their employees was telling me this in front of, what seemed to be, the owner/manager. What were they saying about me if they talk about other customers this way? I mean, maybe the lady was legitimately being awful, but you should keep that to yourself. Maybe, maybe even if I was going in for a haircut and they wanted to gossip a little, I could see them telling me this. But why would I want to hear about all this drama when I'm coming in for a massage, much less at all? So, at this point I explain to them that it's not my business or my problem that they had a difficult customer. If you're running 30 minutes late and/or you've changed my masseuse, call me. Just call me. So, I reschedule.

My third visit was just fine. Everyone was on time, was polite to me, and Charlie was just as skilled. So, a 4 for Charlie, a 3 for the physical space, and 2 for that one visit, gives us an overall 3 star rating.

Parking is super convenient and free, and the location is up a winding flight of stairs. I didn't see an elevator, so if you're physically handicapped, you may want to call before booking an appointment.

I've been fortunate to snag several Groupons/Living Social deals for different massage specials all around Pittsburgh. Unfortunately, I hadn't had my dream massage until this morning when I went to Fountain of Youth Aveda Salon Spa.

I called on a Friday for a 60-minute massage and was able to book for the following Tuesday. The location is perfect, and parking is free. The staff was super polite and offered coffee or water (no thanks, x 2) and I filled out a form with a few strange requests (how was my energy today? do I get irritable or frustrated or anxious?) and so on. My masseuse was Jim, and he said right up that if the pressure was too much to let him know.

Wow. There were fleeting points during the massage where I thought, is this supposed to be feeling like this? But that's all they were-short little bursts followed by total relaxation. It was amazing. I especially liked that he offered water during the massage as I flipped over (again, no thanks). Everyone was super polite. I am really hoping for another Groupon or special so I can head back and get another massage!

I moved to Pittsburgh a few months ago and am on a budget, so I went on Groupon and purchased a haircut, blow-dry, and deep conditioning treatment for $30. I was a bit hesitant at first because I had read some iffy reviews but decided to go for it anyway, and I am so happy I did. Everyone was very polite and professional. Upon entering they offered me water and tea (the tea is delicious!). It wasn't very busy at all.

Melissa cut my hair and did an amazing job. I am EXTREMELY picky and anxious whenever someone cuts my hair-- they always somehow manage to do something wrong. She was GREAT. The best haircut I have ever had. She really knows what she is doing and listened carefully to what I wanted. She was very nice and worked with me to make sure I was happy. The deep conditioning treatment was also fantastic, my hair has been really shiny since I had it done. All of their products smell soo good. Trust me on this one- if you need a haircut, I highly recommend Melissa, she will not disappoint you.

I got a groupon for an hour massage with Joe. I was able to find street parking right outside their store. They have late night and weekend hours which are great. The receptionist is nice, you fill out a page survey about yourself and they off you tea or water. Joe came out and greeted me. He is great and totally the type of person that won't chat you up if you want to just relax. There is a great aromatherapy scent in the room with calming music. The massage was great and Joe really focused on the parts that I wanted. My massage ended with a hot towel and a glass of water. I can't wait to go back! On my way out I learned that they have specials for massages and other facial services. I will definitely go to Joe again.

A friend and I purchased the Groupon for mani, pedi, facial, and massage. Chelsea gave an amazing facial experience. Really loved this aspect of the spa day. I was underwhelmed by the mani and pedi. Thankfully I was not paying full price for these as as it felt like they really aren't equipped to do what I consider a full spa pedicure. They did a simple soak and scrub for the feet (there are no bubbling basins or anything) and then they have you lay down for the pedicure part. I didn't care for that much as it was next to their washer/dryer area and the whole time I was laying there, that's what I was listening to. The polish job for my feet was good, but the manicure polish was pretty mediocre and disappointing. They do not have a significant selection of colors either.

Definitely recommend for facials and the use of Aveda products, but skip the mani or pedis here.

Free on street parking.

Friendly staff.

I have gotten my hair done at Aveda salons for years, all over the country. This place looks nice, but isn't reliable. Sporadic. Overpriced. My first visit, Cheri followed the recipe from my old salon. It looked gorgeous. She definitely is experienced. Then, I got a haircut on my second visit. It did not grow out well. My third visit, I came in for color retouch. I assumed she would follow the color recipe she used on my first visit, but she just winged it. It looked so bad, I had to come back in. Because the location is convenient, I tried to make another appointment, and I never heard back.

I bought a groupon for a manicure and a pedicure. I thought it must be an upscale salon if they sell Avedan products. So I went to the appt. I was asked to pick out my polish from a glass case that was about knee high. When I opened the polish to see the color it was caked with dried polish. I was given the manicure first. This was a surprise. Usually you get your pedicure first. Ok I'll go with the flow. Well she never cut the cuticles around my finger nails and the polish was applied very uneven. When she was done with my nails she sprayed the tools with something and put them back on her station (is this the sterilization process)? I should of left at this point.
The pedicure started with my feet being placed into a bowl of warm water for no more a minute. No pumas stone was used. What a surprise. I'm not sure if this was the policy of the salon. But, I get a pedicure to have my feeling smooth. No cutting of the cuticles. The best thing of the pedicure was the warm towels and the massage. I was asked If I brought and sandals. I said "no, don't you have any of the throw away ones"? They did not. I would not return to the salon for any kind of services.

Poorly organized business, disrespectful towards clients and their time. They never answer their phone and never return the calls. First time it took me a week to schedule an appointment via txt messages. When I came it turned out they booked me on a different day, even though they confirmed the day I showed up. They took me in though. Second time again it took several days to schedule an appointment, I had it confirmed, and when I showed up they were closed! I called and waited for about 30 minutes at the coffee shop across the street but no one showed up. Amazing these people. I have a 3 month old at home and to go out like that I have to arrange for baby care that adds to the cost of the salon visit.

Certainly avoid. I live a couple of blocks away and would have been happy to support the neighborhood salon, but now I'd rather take my money somewhere else.

P. S. After reading reviews here and in Google it seems to me that inability to organize the very basic tasks may be pathological and whoever runs this business should consider seeking professional medical help.