Avant Garde :: Aveda Beauty Salon and Day Spa in Austin, Texas :: Hair and Skin Care

LESLIE SAZON

TITLE - esthetician
LOCATION - downtown, southpark meadows
SERVICES - full spa services, waxing
PROFESSIONAL since 2007
AVANT PROFESSIONAL since 2008

"I think that caring for people and educating them about their skincare is essential in being a great skin care specialist. I love to make people look and feel good.
I chose Avant because of the positive energy and its work within the community."

EMILY CLAY

TITLE - master colorist, director of color education at Avant, certified Neill Corporation elite color coach
LOCATION - downtown
SERVICES - one-step color - from $80
partial highlights - from $125, full highlights - from $150
PROFESSIONAL since 2003
AVANT PROFESSIONAL since 2003
EDUCATION - Completed Avant's training program, attended numerous hair shows and advanced classes at Avant. Studied with top Aveda's educators such as Walter Claudio, Ana Karzis, David Adams, Lupe Voss. Graduate of Walter Claudio's Headmapping Salon Operating Systems.
"Hair color is my passion! I love to see my guests' reactions after a service. Beautiful, healthy hair can be a truely transformative experience! I also have the privilege of training and mentoring new colorists. They keep me inspired to learn and grow with each new experience. Our goal is to create the ultimate guest experience, and I really believe that our education programs are the key."

MANDY SILVER

TITLE - senior colorist and makeup artist
LOCATION - downtown
SERVICES - one-step color - from $70, partial highlights - from $100, full highlights - from $115, updo - $100
PROFESSIONAL since 2006
AVANT PROFESSIONAL since 2006
EDUCATION - Graduated from UT in 2004, attended Ogle School of Cosmetology, Avant's training program , hair shows and many advanced classes at Avant.
"I love meeting new people and being their Day Maker. I provide more than a service. I give my guests a place to not only feel beautiful but truly find themselves while receiving quality service & care. I chose Avant because it has been a top salon in Austin for so many years and being a former client, I always loved the energy and the services provided."

Mandy Silver was recently featured in an article about wedding styles. Click here to read it.

CRYSTAL STANSELL

TITLE - senior colorist
LOCATION - downtown
SERVICES - one-step color - from $70, partial highlights - from $100, full highlights - from $115
PROFESSIONAL since 2005
AVANT PROFESSIONAL since 2007
EDUCATION - Attended San Antonio College (2002 - 2005) Aveda Institute of cosmetology in San Antonio, completed Avant's training program and many advanced classes at Avant.

"I remember to not only care for my clients' needs while they are in my chair, but give them the education they'll need to continue salon quality hair at home."

JOE EDWARDS

TITLE - senior stylist
LOCATION - downtown
SERVICES - haircut - $60
PROFESSIONAL since 2000
AVANT PROFESSIONAL since 2003
Joe Edwards has enjoyed cutting hair for the past nine years. He has recently returned to Austin after a yearlong hiatus in Southern California where he trained under Feng Shui hair master Billy Yamaguchi. Joe's naturally artistic eye and fun loving personality makes every appointment not only rewarding but also entertaining. Insisting on being at the forefront of fashion, Joe specializes in anything short or edgy and is well versed in the full spectra of hairstyles. A veteran back stage at New York Fashion week, Joe has
worked on such runway extravaganzas as Betsey Johnson and Kid Robot. He is only too happy to make another friend.

TRACY O'HARGAN

TITLE - senior stylist
LOCATION - downtown
SERVICES - haircut - $60
PROFESSIONAL since 2005
AVANT PROFESSIONAL since 2007
EDUCATION - Attended Aveda Institute of cosmetology in Chapel Hill, NC and many advanced classes at Avant.
"I have always enjoyed everything in the beauty industry. I love the opportunity to bring out the best attributes in everyone, no matter your shape, size, age or background, you are beautiful!
I chose Avant because it is simply the best! Working here is a dream come true - someone please pinch me!"

LACY WARD

TITLE - senior stylist
LOCATION - downtown
SERVICES - haircut - $60
PROFESSIONAL since 2005
AVANT PROFESSIONAL since 2007
EDUCATION - Attended Aveda Institute of cosmetology in San Antonio, TX and many advanced classes at Avant.

"Since I was a little girl I looked up to my hair stylist. She was my mentor growing up and I want to be that for all my clients. I chose Avant because of the atmosphere, education, the people, how we are fun, loving, and a giant family"

CARIANNE EDWARDS

TITLE - senior stylist
LOCATION - downtown and gateway on Saturdays
SERVICES - haircut - $60, hair extensions, perm, Brazilian Keratin Smoothing Treatment
PROFESSIONAL since 2005
AVANT PROFESSIONAL since 2008
EDUCATION - "I graduated from the Antoine du Chez Hair Academy in Denver, CO in 2005.  Afterward, I was certified to do Great Lengths extensions in 2006, while completing multiple apprenticeships with some of Denver's finest hair stylists.  In 2008, I moved to Austin and began working for Avant and have been furthering my education ever
since.  For a time, I left Austin and studied intensively at the John Freida Salon in New York, with a special focus on Brazilian keratin straightening."
I love what I do and I think it shows in my work.  There is no  better feeling than knowing you've made someone feel good by improving their look!

AARON FRANICH

TITLE - senior stylist
LOCATION - downtown
SERVICES - haircuts $50
PROFESSIONAL since 2006
AVANT PROFESSIONAL since 2008
EDUCATION - Graduated from Baldwin Beauty School, completed Avant's training program, attended advanced classes at Avant.
"I love music, going to shows, punk rock, riding mopeds, collecting records, and of course doing hair. I chose this industry because it is very creative. I always had a knack for it. I grew up in the punk rock scene and we used to do each other's hair. I chose Avant because of their continued education and their awesome reputation."

DANICA METZ

TITLE - junior stylist
LOCATION - downtown
SERVICES - haircuts $40
PROFESSIONAL since 2009
AVANT PROFESSIONAL since 2009
EDUCATION - Graduated from the Aveda Institute of Houston. Avant's advanced education.

"I am a very outgoing person. I love making people look great & I put 100% into it. I enjoy extreme sports, motor cross, wakeboarding, being outdoors."

Photos by Svetlana Photography

STEFFAN BENTLEY

TITLE - junior colorist
LOCATION - downtown
SERVICES - one-step color - from $60
partial highlights - from $90, full highlights - from $105
updos - $75, makeup application - $65, lash/brow tint $20
PROFESSIONAL since 2008
AVANT PROFESSIONAL since 2008
EDUCATION - Graduated from the Aveda Institute in Chapel Hills. Avant's advanced education.

"I am a fun loving and energetic guy with a New Edge. I chose this industry because it allows me to be an artist every day. Avant inspires me to stay true to my full potential."

	LESLIE SAZON TITLE - esthetician LOCATION - downtown, southpark meadows SERVICES - full spa services, waxing PROFESSIONAL since 2007 AVANT PROFESSIONAL since 2008 "I think that caring for people and educating them about their skincare is essential in being a great skin care specialist. I love to make people look and feel good. I chose Avant because of the positive energy and its work within the community."
	EMILY CLAY TITLE - master colorist, director of color education at Avant, certified Neill Corporation elite color coach LOCATION - downtown SERVICES - one-step color - from $80 partial highlights - from $125, full highlights - from $150 PROFESSIONAL since 2003 AVANT PROFESSIONAL since 2003 EDUCATION - Completed Avant's training program, attended numerous hair shows and advanced classes at Avant. Studied with top Aveda's educators such as Walter Claudio, Ana Karzis, David Adams, Lupe Voss. Graduate of Walter Claudio's Headmapping Salon Operating Systems. "Hair color is my passion! I love to see my guests' reactions after a service. Beautiful, healthy hair can be a truely transformative experience! I also have the privilege of training and mentoring new colorists. They keep me inspired to learn and grow with each new experience. Our goal is to create the ultimate guest experience, and I really believe that our education programs are the key."
	MANDY SILVER TITLE - senior colorist and makeup artist LOCATION - downtown SERVICES - one-step color - from $70, partial highlights - from $100, full highlights - from $115, updo - $100 PROFESSIONAL since 2006 AVANT PROFESSIONAL since 2006 EDUCATION - Graduated from UT in 2004, attended Ogle School of Cosmetology, Avant's training program , hair shows and many advanced classes at Avant. "I love meeting new people and being their Day Maker. I provide more than a service. I give my guests a place to not only feel beautiful but truly find themselves while receiving quality service & care. I chose Avant because it has been a top salon in Austin for so many years and being a former client, I always loved the energy and the services provided." Mandy Silver was recently featured in an article about wedding styles. Click here to read it.
	CRYSTAL STANSELL TITLE - senior colorist LOCATION - downtown SERVICES - one-step color - from $70, partial highlights - from $100, full highlights - from $115 PROFESSIONAL since 2005 AVANT PROFESSIONAL since 2007 EDUCATION - Attended San Antonio College (2002 - 2005) Aveda Institute of cosmetology in San Antonio, completed Avant's training program and many advanced classes at Avant. "I remember to not only care for my clients' needs while they are in my chair, but give them the education they'll need to continue salon quality hair at home."
	JOE EDWARDS TITLE - senior stylist LOCATION - downtown SERVICES - haircut - $60 PROFESSIONAL since 2000 AVANT PROFESSIONAL since 2003 Joe Edwards has enjoyed cutting hair for the past nine years. He has recently returned to Austin after a yearlong hiatus in Southern California where he trained under Feng Shui hair master Billy Yamaguchi. Joe's naturally artistic eye and fun loving personality makes every appointment not only rewarding but also entertaining. Insisting on being at the forefront of fashion, Joe specializes in anything short or edgy and is well versed in the full spectra of hairstyles. A veteran back stage at New York Fashion week, Joe has worked on such runway extravaganzas as Betsey Johnson and Kid Robot. He is only too happy to make another friend.
	TRACY O'HARGAN TITLE - senior stylist LOCATION - downtown SERVICES - haircut - $60 PROFESSIONAL since 2005 AVANT PROFESSIONAL since 2007 EDUCATION - Attended Aveda Institute of cosmetology in Chapel Hill, NC and many advanced classes at Avant. "I have always enjoyed everything in the beauty industry. I love the opportunity to bring out the best attributes in everyone, no matter your shape, size, age or background, you are beautiful! I chose Avant because it is simply the best! Working here is a dream come true - someone please pinch me!"
	LACY WARD TITLE - senior stylist LOCATION - downtown SERVICES - haircut - $60 PROFESSIONAL since 2005 AVANT PROFESSIONAL since 2007 EDUCATION - Attended Aveda Institute of cosmetology in San Antonio, TX and many advanced classes at Avant. "Since I was a little girl I looked up to my hair stylist. She was my mentor growing up and I want to be that for all my clients. I chose Avant because of the atmosphere, education, the people, how we are fun, loving, and a giant family"
	CARIANNE EDWARDS TITLE - senior stylist LOCATION - downtown and gateway on Saturdays SERVICES - haircut - $60, hair extensions, perm, Brazilian Keratin Smoothing Treatment PROFESSIONAL since 2005 AVANT PROFESSIONAL since 2008 EDUCATION - "I graduated from the Antoine du Chez Hair Academy in Denver, CO in 2005. Afterward, I was certified to do Great Lengths extensions in 2006, while completing multiple apprenticeships with some of Denver's finest hair stylists. In 2008, I moved to Austin and began working for Avant and have been furthering my education ever since. For a time, I left Austin and studied intensively at the John Freida Salon in New York, with a special focus on Brazilian keratin straightening." I love what I do and I think it shows in my work. There is no better feeling than knowing you've made someone feel good by improving their look!
	AARON FRANICH TITLE - senior stylist LOCATION - downtown SERVICES - haircuts $50 PROFESSIONAL since 2006 AVANT PROFESSIONAL since 2008 EDUCATION - Graduated from Baldwin Beauty School, completed Avant's training program, attended advanced classes at Avant. "I love music, going to shows, punk rock, riding mopeds, collecting records, and of course doing hair. I chose this industry because it is very creative. I always had a knack for it. I grew up in the punk rock scene and we used to do each other's hair. I chose Avant because of their continued education and their awesome reputation."
	DANICA METZ TITLE - junior stylist LOCATION - downtown SERVICES - haircuts $40 PROFESSIONAL since 2009 AVANT PROFESSIONAL since 2009 EDUCATION - Graduated from the Aveda Institute of Houston. Avant's advanced education. "I am a very outgoing person. I love making people look great & I put 100% into it. I enjoy extreme sports, motor cross, wakeboarding, being outdoors."
Photos by Svetlana Photography	STEFFAN BENTLEY TITLE - junior colorist LOCATION - downtown SERVICES - one-step color - from $60 partial highlights - from $90, full highlights - from $105 updos - $75, makeup application - $65, lash/brow tint $20 PROFESSIONAL since 2008 AVANT PROFESSIONAL since 2008 EDUCATION - Graduated from the Aveda Institute in Chapel Hills. Avant's advanced education. "I am a fun loving and energetic guy with a New Edge. I chose this industry because it allows me to be an artist every day. Avant inspires me to stay true to my full potential."