RED DOOR SALON AND SPA
The Village of Cross Keys, #42 Village Square, 410-323-3636

We were thrilled when Elizabeth Arden’s Red Door Salon and Spa opened their doors in Baltimore two years ago. Why should the gals in D.C. (and Europe, for that matter) have all the fun? This elegant retreat, which caters to a sophisticated clientele, has been a favorite of powerful women for decades. When a place offers six different pedicure treatments (including the therapeutic Essence of Lavender), eight different body treatments (including the Warm Shea Butter Body Melt), five different hair and scalp treatments, and nine different facials (including the salon’s exclusive Ceramide Anti-Aging treatment), you know they mean business! Indeed, they do—and with Elizabeth Arden’s exclusive products line, you’ll find skin treatment and rich nail colors that are seen nowhere else in Baltimore.

ALPHA STUDIO
817 S. Bond Street, 410-327-1300

Between Alpha Studio’s fabulous scalp massages and the soothing, hot cups of herbal tea employees hand you when you walk through the door, it’s tempting to never leave this cozy Fells Point salon. The vibe is low-key, and the place—a 131-year-old corner rowhome (and former brothel!) renovated by owner Jill Sell’s husband—is gorgeous, and redolent with the plant-based perfumes of Aveda. Although the small salon’s three stylists are well-versed in cutting-edge styles, Alpha Studio is relaxed and unpretentious. Gentle-voiced aesthetician Paige Shuttleworth, perhaps the friendliest in the business, is as close as one can get to an Aveda guru, and is happy to extract stresses of both body and mind with exotic treatments like self-heating seaweed masks. Alpha Studio’s welcoming aura has everything to do with the philosophy Sell had in mind when she opened the salon in September 2005. “I wasn’t interested in having a factory,” she says. Clients are treated like friends. “It’s very natural,” Sell explains. “It’s not forced.”

FX STUDIOS
11270 Pepper Road, 410-771-1500

Time was, if you were a guy, getting a haircut meant bright lights, loud music, uncomfortable upright barber chairs, and the smell of color chemicals, all under the duress of making idle conversation. But at FX Studios, you might find yourself getting a haircut for the “shear” pleasure of it. F/X provides the ultimate escape, with its low lights; cavernous, private hair-cutting rooms; tastefully decorated massage rooms; and intimate mani-pedi stations. While enjoying a complimentary glass of wine, free Internet service, stacks of the latest magazines, or one of many movies (from Jaws to Ocean’s Eleven), you’ll have so much fun, you might forget why you came in the first place. From facials to massages to Botox and Restylane therapy (overseen by Sinai’s Chief of Plastic Surgery, Adam L. Basner) to a new $1 million expansion, which includes a workout studio with kickboxing, personal training, yoga, and Pilates, FX is equal parts playland, wellness center, and salon.

BLUE CEILING SALON
8631 Loch Raven Boulevard, 410-882-6404

Guys, we have some bad news for you: The Blue Ceiling Salon and tea bar is for ladies only. “I wanted it to be a haven for girls,” chuckles the salon’s co-owner, Kelly Brooks. And a haven it is. Let’s start with the tea bar concept. “Teas have a healing effect,” explains Brooks. “I’m an avid coffee girl, but I’m not going to bring that here—this place is about relaxation.” Indeed, with its pumpkin-colored couches and vibrant art on the wall (and, yes, a blue ceiling), the salon feels more like a groovy lounge than a hair studio. And that was precisely the point. “I wanted it to have that Asian, zen-like feeling,” says Brooks. “I want this whole place to project an atmosphere of calm and peace.” Mission accomplished. While the salon caters mostly to an African-American clientele, Brooks says that everyone is welcome. Uh, everyone but boys, that is. (Although we’re sure Brooks will give you a cuppa tea if you’re really well-behaved!)

MORGAN GERARD
101 Annapolis Street, Annapolis, 410-263-1812

From the outside, this Annapolis salon looks more like a summer home than a fashion-forward spa and salon. Once you set foot on the animal print carpeting, though, you suspect that your hair and beauty needs are in the right hands. Combining the most modern of spa treatments with time-tested styles, Morgan Gerard has been drawing customers from all over Maryland for years. The salon is more than just a place to stop in for a haircut: the spa menu has offerings that rival those in New York and Los Angeles. The pinnacle of luxury—and the most popular service—is the Ultimate Retreat, a five-hour deluxe package offering a manicure and spa pedicure, the spa’s signature Refresher Facial (which co-owner Todd Morgan August describes as a deep pore cleansing, hydration, and treatment mask), a one-hour massage, a body treatment, and a blow-out. Is it too early to place next year’s Christmas gift request?

BELLA OF CANTON
2809 Boston Street, 410-327-7872

The sassy little space may not look like a throwback, but if you long for the days when beauty parlors were social headquarters, when women sat in a row of hair dryers flipping through magazines and idly chatting with their stylists, then maybe Bella of Canton is the place for you. The newly remodeled Bella boasts a staff that is not only seriously talented but uncommonly friendly. There is none of that “too cool for my haircut” attitude you find at some local salons. (They know who they are.) Still, don’t let the homespun vibe fool you; the stylists at Bella are some of the most highly skilled around. Hairdresser Andrea Clayville, who has been with the salon since 2003, has led color seminars for some of the most prestigious salons in the country, including Vidal Sassoon. “We are constantly learning and teaching,” says owner and stylist Kristen Chandler. Though the salon specializes in hair, it has recently added a reflexology-based massage to go with those hair treatments.

LLUMINAIRE
15 W. Allegheny Avenue, Towson, 410-583-1500

In this age of high-end, multi-service “themed” salons, this aptly named little jewel box of a beauty shop is both unassuming and quietly impressive. With its silver walls, deco-style chandeliers, and intimate setting, the salon feels like a modern take on an old-fashioned beauty shop where one might go seeking calm and good conversation. Co-owned by Dean Krapf and Mario Rentuma, both of whom trained at the famed West Coast Vidal Sassoon School of Hairdressing, Krapf and Rentuma stick to what they know best: cut and color. Their appointment books are the best testimonial of all. Krapf and Rentuma have coiffed and glammed up a star-spangled list of celebrities, including Nicole Kidman, Bo Derek, Camryn Manheim, Portia De Rossi, and Benjamin Bratt. The salon’s guiding principle to keep everyone happy? “The celebrities want to be treated like real people,” says Krapf, who has 25 years of styling experience. “And real people want to be treated like celebrities.”

JAMES BRYAN SALON & SPA

We’re tempted to classify James Bryan as an “Old Friend.” Although the certified Bumble and Bumble salon has only been around for seven years, most of the staff—including co-owner Bryan himself—are old friends, transplants from the late, great Lola’s (the first of Mt. Washington’s mega salons). “Almost everyone here used to work at Lola’s,” chuckles Bryan, who still keeps in touch with his old boss. Better still, almost everyone on staff has been with Bryan since the beginning. It’s one big happy family. “Everyone takes care of everyone else,” Bryan says. This, along with Bryan’s simple philosophy—“keep clients happy, keep hair healthy”—seems to work well for the salon’s celebrity customers, who include Kendel Ehrlich, news anchor Marianne Banister, and artist Grace Hartigan (who gets her nails done there). “I thought it would be nice to buy a piece of Hartigan’s for the salon,” says Bryan brightly. “But have you priced one of her paintings lately?” Hmmm. Maybe they can work out some sort of trade? A thousand manicures should do the trick.

GLOW SALON DAY SPA CAFE
2603 Housley Road, Suite 213, Annapolis, 410-571-6601

Let’s face it, sometimes after a grueling day of herbal body wraps and calming facials, you just want to sit down and have a glass of wine and a roasted veggie wrap. Thankfully, at Glow, you barely have to walk out of the zen-like spa area to take the first bite: the salon has a cafe, complete with a wine and beer license. Though the cafe and bar certainly make Glow a special treat, there’s more to this place than its hybrid concept: The salon prides itself on its ultra-hip feel and fashion-forward services. Lusting after JLo’s lashes? Glow offers those red-hot permanent eyelash extensions. “They look and feel like your actual eyelashes and it’s a very relaxing procedure,” explains aesthetician Christina Sweeney. Glow also offers makeup airbrushing with custom-blend cosmetics—the aestheticians can blend the foundations and lip colors to perfectly match your skin. And, of course, the salon’s artful team of stylists offer everything from a wash and blow dry to the latest in thermal reconditioning. Just remember: Come on an empty stomach!

LA CLINICA SALON & DAY SPA

So how does La Clinica stay ahead of the trends in hair and skin care after 30 years in the business? Simple. “It’s personal!” chuckles Jayne Gary, who owns the salon with her mother Joan Zulanch. “If there’s something out there, we want to know about it!” Clients can certainly be inspired by Jayne and her mom—gorgeous, the both of them—but also by La Clinica’s ever-updated roster of services and impeccably appointed salon and spa rooms. Attention to detail is the secret to La Clinica’s success: The pedicure chairs, for example, offer heated massage, and are pipeless—which means there’s no bacteria. So what’s hot today at La Clinica? Lash extensions, hair extensions, thermal reconditioning, and the newest line of cosme-ceutical products by Jan Marini. And you can be certain that if there’s some new beautifying strategy out there, La Clinica will find—and perfect—it.

BLUEMERCURY
200 E. Pratt Street, 410-576-9090

If you think a high-end lunchtime facial is out of reach in Charm City, think again. With the arrival of Washington, D.C.-based bluemercury, time-crunched 9-to-5’ers and tourists alike can experience what Barry Jon Beck, COO and co-founder of the 16-location apothecary and spa chain, calls “express luxury.” Located at the Inner Harbor’s Gallery at Harborplace, the beaming, high-tech shop and spa is a cornucopia of deluxe—and oftentimes hard to find—beauty products that any of bluemercury’s immaculate employees will gladly tell you how to apply—after they shower you with samples. The spa menu features face and body waxing along with makeup applications, but it’s the famous bluemercury purifying facial that has the beauty-savvy buzzing (apparently, both Oprah and Anna Nicole Smith—strange bedfellows!—are fans). A Baltimore location has been a longtime goal of bluemercury’s husband-and-wife management team, and both wholeheartedly promote the chain’s democratic approach to beauty. “We want to be a place people think about when they need advice,” says Marla Malcolm Beck, CEO and co-founder. “Everything’s very touchable. Don’t be shy about asking for samples.”

M SALON
1131 S. Charles Street, 410-685-0089

Feng shui was on the top of the list when Marion Lambropoulos and her crew were setting up shop this summer at Federal Hill’s M Salon. It shows too, because the place just feels right. From the clear Lucite chairs in the reception area (“we didn’t want to block the chi from coming in the window!” Lambropoulos, an effervescent hostess, explains with a laugh) to the stained concrete floors and flat screens flickering with round-the-clock Fashion TV, it’s thoroughly obvious that this is the salon Federal Hill has been aching for. M Salon’s five longtime stylists all came from Otterbein’s Chas Salon, and all are friendly co-owners in the new business, which also includes M Vanity (“Everything you need for your vanity”) next door. With a wide selection of luscious products (Lucky Chick, Principessa, and Osis) the shop definitely deserves its confident catchphrase. Walk-ins are welcome, and Lambropoulos suggests giving some of their soon-to-be legendary highlights a try.

SPA IN THE VALLEY
118 Shawan Road, Hunt Valley, 410-771-0200

Sure, Spa in the Valley has the requisite menu of hair care, skin care, eyelash extensions, waxing, and makeup lessons. But it’s the Sugar Plum and Spice Facial, the Mango Mandarin Body Masque, the Lemongrass and Ginger Ache Away Treatment, the Seaweed Manicure, and state-of-the-art Vichy massage “steam” tables that keep us coming back for more. Whatever your guilty pleasure, the Spa in the Valley is one-stop shopping for instant de-stressing. Best to make an appointment for a day when you have plenty of time—with any body treatment the Spa offers up to a one-hour complimentary visit to the beautiful Tuscan Room, where you can melt your cares away in eucalyptus steam or soak in the 90-degree jet pool. One caveat: readjusting to the real world won’t be easy after this escape.

STUDIO 1612
1501 Sulgrave Avenue, 410-664-3800

You may wonder: How does Studio 1612 consistently churn out some of the top hair stylists in town? After all, the roster of stylists changes over the years (most to start own ventures, with the blessing of 1612 owners Judy Weidell and Karen Bialozynski) but the quality remains the same. The answer is twofold: First, of course, it’s the consistent presence of Judy and Karen, who are not only extremely talented stylists themselves, but big-sister-type figures to their employees. But it’s also the salon’s time-tested apprentice method. Apprentice stylists are developed and guided through the ranks by the more senior employees. That way, says 1612’s ace stylist Gabrielle Hart, “you have a common language when referring to techniques and a camaraderie within the ranks. Apprentices grow at their own pace but are consistently tested and nurtured, so that they can reach their goal of being on the floor full-time with secure knowledge of their craft.”

DREAMERS DAY SPA
226 Main Street, Reisterstown, 410-833-9999

Owner Susan Feinberg took a chance when she opened Dreamers Day Spa nine years ago. “Reisterstown has never had anything like this,” she says. “Somebody had to do it.” Those looking for an elegantly comfy alternative to increasingly slick and minimalist salons are certainly glad she did. Dreamers’ showcase building is a four-floor Victorian home that feels neverending in its selection of private spa accommodations. The newly Aveda-fied salon-spa pampers clients from head to toe in the glow of stained glass and hand-painted murals. The winding staircase leads up, up, up to soothing room after room—including what owner Susan Feinberg claims is the largest Vichy shower in Maryland and a breathtaking turreted facial room—where clients can get exfoliated, rubbed down, and detoxed while looking forward to a cup of hot tea in the Dreamers tea room. The second building also features massage rooms, but focuses mainly on manicures, pedicures, and hair. Combined, the two buildings feel like an endless homage to all things beautiful.

EDWARD AMATO
5722 Falls Road, 410-323-2222

We only hire happy people,” pronounces Laura Sweeney, the manager at Edward Amato salon in Mt. Washington. Or do the employees simply get happy when they set foot in the salon’s door? Whatever the case, the good vibes are contagious at this hippie-chic salon, with its wall length windows (revealing a cooperatively leafy corridor of Falls Road), dented-with-character hardwood floors, and that lovely, lavender-tinged Aveda aroma. (Edward Amato was the first Aveda concept salon in the city.) Edward Amato’s concept is, essentially, “keep it simple, stupid.” All their products are 100-percent naturally derived, they offer limited services beyond hair (one aesthetician and one mani-pedi station), and there’s a scalp massage with every shampoo. “We just want people to come in and chill,” says Sweeney. How could anyone resist?

SIGNATURE HAIR DESIGN
10132 Baltimore National Pike, Ellicott City, 410-750-2200

Only 1 percent of salons in the country are Bumble and Bumble network salons. Signature Hair Design is one of those. Owner Skip Siperko explains its significance: “It’s not just a product line, it’s an educational system,” he says. To that end, Signature’s 16 stylists are often jetting off to Bumble and Bumble’s New York City academy to learn the newest, most innovative styling techniques—and to brush up on the basics. Bumble and Bumble is not just about teaching; the academy consults on fashion shows all over the world and is credited in many of the fashion and beauty magazines that are piled on the coffee table in Signature’s waiting area. That doesn’t mean that every look that comes out of Signature is edgy and au courant. “We have a very diverse staff,” says Siperko. He assures us that one of the most important aspects of the salon is making sure clients are comfortable, whether they’re looking for the hottest new style or simply want to maintain a classic look.

THE PEARL SPA, MODERN SPA AND BOUTIQUE
8171 Maple Lawn Boulevard, Suite 100, Fulton, 301-776-6948

If you want the latest in fashion, you go to New York. If you want the latest in spa treatments, you go to . . . Maple Lawn? Hey, don’t laugh. The Pearl Spa offers the most luxurious spa services on the market, with twists you probably didn’t even know were possible. Owner Kassi Buscher notes that “the in-room iPod docks are a favorite feature of guests.” It’s not just that you can create your own playlist for your hydrotherapy—a massaging jacuzzi tub in one of the spa suites actually synchronizes the jets and color therapy lights to the beat of your music. Trippy. The Pearl has also become a favorite couples destination. The Blue Grotto, a softly lit, heated, blue-tiled room, is a romantic and recharging experience. The room has a selection of deep sea clays that do everything from hydrate to firm your skin. Once you have immersed yourself in clay, you get to relax in a steam room while the nutrients get to work. Afterwards, the steam room becomes a shower to rinse off. We’re relaxed just thinking about it!

GIUSEPPE’S
2616 Taylor Avenue, 410-665-4490

It started as a small, one-room operation. Twenty-five years later, Giuseppe’s is Parkville’s preeminent salon, with rooms for massage and aesthetic procedures, as well as a new wing for manicures and pedicures. Though the space has grown, owner Giuseppe Castellano has made sure that the “small salon feel” is still intact. “I’m the owner and I still have a chair, I still work with everyone,” he explains. The familial air among the employees is not just imagined: Giuseppe’s daughter, Pasqua Kramer, is the salon’s longtime manicurist and makeup artist. The close relationships at Giuseppe’s, however, are not limited to the staff: Clients are treated like family, too. “We have our younger Friday-night customers who come every week, and our older crowd who get just as rowdy getting manicures and coffee on Saturday mornings,” says Kramer. “We have lots of repeat clients.” Not hard to figure out why.

STUDIO 921 SALON AND MEDI DAY SPA
921 E. Fort Avenue, Suite 108, 410-783-7727

Some salons focus mainly on hair, with a side order of spa services. And some spas focus mainly on indulgence, with a soupçon of hair thrown in. But Locust Point’s Studio 921 manages to be equally strong on both fronts. As you walk in to the right, you’ll find the Studio’s warehouse-style hair studio (think hardwood floors and exposed pipes), where Bumble and Bumble is the featured line and such services as the “Blow Dry Boot Camp” (where they teach you to create that salon look at home) are offered to all clients. To the left, you have the fabulous spa area—which (anniversary gift alert!) features Studio 921’s famous his-and-her spa room and offers the enzyme-based Epicurean line of professional skin care products. With 12 hair stylists, five aestheticians, five massage therapists, and a facial plastic surgeon (who comes once a week), it’s clear that this is one salon that takes its hair—and its spa services—equally seriously.

ROBERT ANDREW—THE SALON AND SPA
1328 Main Chapel Way, Gambrills, 410-721-3533

Bigger is better. Okay, so maybe that statement doesn’t always apply to hair (unless you’re on your way to the Country Music Awards, that is), but it certainly applies to this 22,000-square-foot, award-winning salon. It’s the largest in the mid-Atlantic region; it offers every imaginable hair, skin, and body treatment; it’s even been written up in Vogue. Despite its daunting credentials, Robert Andrew still maintains that small salon feel, with close attention to detail, like a gorgeous Tuscan-style fountain in its entrance, a crackling fire that greets guests in the private spa area, and super-friendly customer service. One of our favorite aspects of this salon-spa? Their new multi-cultural center (located down the street), which offers braiding, relaxer, and texturing hair treatments. They also have a medispa, so you can get the latest in Botox, chemical peels, and laser treatments in an environment that is as clinically safe as it is gorgeous. Worried about getting lost in a such an unwieldy space? “We have our escort system, where clients are taken from one service to another,” explains spa director Kay Wright. So leave the compass at home.

THE ESCAPE DAY SPA
1777 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville, 410-602-1108

The staff at Pikesville’s Escape Day Spa will not only serve you bagels and coffee as they tend to your every need, but they’ll probably know your bubbe’s name, ask how she’s doing, and walk you through their newest collection of handbags and handmade jewelry. In other words, you’re amongst family at this salon-spa, which features not only three “lounges” (hair, nails, and body) but co-owner Joe Eckenrode, a neighborhood celebrity (and former florist) known for his fabulous up-dos—which, if you’re lucky, may include a flower or two. Most of Escape’s 11 stylists are former salon owners who focus on the “classics,” explains Eckenrode’s female counterpart Jane Caplan. (So if you’re searching for that cutting-edge fauxhawk, it’s probably best to look elsewhere.) Tucked in between a mini-mall and the brakelights of 695, Escape is about unwinding and socializing as much as it is about beauty, so no one will be pushing you out the door. Especially popular here are the gift packages, which can include an array of lovely services including hot stone massages, “sea spa” pedicures, and you guessed it: lunch!

SPA SANTÉ
1429 Aliceanna Street, Suite 100, 410-534-0009

It’s just a hunch, but we imagine that the same in-the-know urbanites who spend a day lounging at Spa Santé—getting their nails done, or perhaps indulging in a haircut, a facial, a massage, or the salon’s Best-of Baltimore-winning eyebrow wax—later head over to Pazo, which is right next door. After all, it seems the two places share the same philosophy—that it’s best to unwind in design-forward industrial spaces, and look gorgeous doing it. Rest assured, Spa Santé has substance to go with all that great style—a medispa for Botox and Restylane injections, a Vichy shower, and even an in-house chiropractor. And if we we’re choosing one local spa for a girls’-night-out spa party, it might very well be Spa Santé. Their ladies’ relaxation room is a vision of contemporary cool, with taupe velveteen couches, mesh curtains, a Japanese screen, and classical music piped in on the stereo. But why are we suddenly craving Pazo’s blood orange martini?

SPROUT
925 W. 36th Street, 410-235-2269

Clients at Hampden’s brand-new Sprout salon can rest assured that when they visit the freshly rehabbed storefront, they’ll not only get a super-stylish cut but will be supporting a sustainable environment, as well. The salon, which opened in late November on “The Avenue,” bills itself as “an organic salon,” which means that almost everything—from shampoo to styling products—is 100 percent natural. The salon is also virtually paperless, aluminum coloring foils are recycled between uses, and even the rustic molding along the shiny bamboo floors (salvaged from the building before they renovated) has found a second life. “We are as green as we can be while being a functional salon,” Epstein says. Sprout uses and sells certified organic product lines such as Druide, Aubrey, and John Masters, and is equipped to service “hypersensitive” clients—individuals that are allergic to many, if not most, common man-made chemicals usually found in haircare products. Stylists are even prohibited from wearing scents other than organic essential oils, in case clients have sensitivities to everyday perfumes.

ABOUT FACES DAY SPA & SALON AT CANTON CROSSING
1501 S. Clinton Street, Third Floor, 410-675-0099

The local About Faces Day Spa chain has been consistently reliable, but until now, it was lacking a little pizzazz. All that has changed, with the opening of their stunning new signature spa at Canton Crossing. If you’ll pardon the cliché, this is not your mother’s About Faces Day Spa. Instead, it’s a buzz-worthy, industrial chic headquarters, with cool views of the city, funky styling stations, and state-of-the-art equipment. A lot of planning clearly went into every inch of this spa, from the elevated shampoo stations and the large mani-pedi room, to the tranquil waiting lounge where cucumber-infused water is served to guests. Of course, it’s About Faces, so that means you’ll find a Vichy shower/hydrotherapy bath capsule, and the latest in just about everything (including those permanent eyelash extensions).

UNO THE SALON
10751 Falls Road, Suite 106, Lutherville, 410-821-9080

With his long black locks and beguiling Turkish accent, Unal “Uno” Tuluoglu is a hairstylist straight out of central casting. Put him in his design-forward Greenspring Station locale—it has dramatic terra cotta walls, large mirrors, dark wood, and brushed metal accents—and it completes the picture. But looking the part can only take you so far, and Tuluoglu has become one of the most trusted names in haircare, drawing celebrity clients (like makeup artist Trish McEvoy and news anchor Sally Thorner) as well as many of the Baltimore’s most stylish mavens to his salon. Uno’s now offers thermal reconditioning and removable hair extensions, and his team of 10 stylists are always keeping abreast of the latest techniques and trends. Uno is particularly proud of his highly-sought-after blow-outs. Even his own staff can’t resist. “I came in this morning and he made my hair look great in, like, five minutes,” gushes salon manager Lorie Paul.

MT. WASHINGTON SPA & SALON
1600 Kelly Avenue, 410-664-3400 (spa), 410-664-4610 (salon)

Want your salon to be as gorgeous as Vesna Stojanovic’s? Well, first you’re going to have to get a hubby who is also a craftsman—he made the salon’s cabinets, benches (with their secret stash of champagne, which is complimentary with all guest services), and Venetian-style shutters. Oh, and it might also help to have a business partner and son who is an amateur artist and tile maker—he painted the Tuscan scenes upstairs in the spa area (downstairs is where they cut hair) and even did a splashy, cameo tile display in the salon’s entranceway. Of course, good looks would be for naught if Mt. Washington Spa & Salon didn’t deliver the goods, and they do. From the delightful Vesna, who is Baltimore’s premier waxing expert (she invented her own soothing recipe using beeswax and essential oils), to the salon’s state-of-the art equipment and services (look for a brand new spa-jet Vichy shower and a revolutionary cellulite-reducing infrared blanket and herb treatment), to the homey touches like Grandma Stojanovic’s famous chocolate chip cookies that make the customers swoon, it all adds up to quality. “I like to make things look nice,” says Vesna. She’s referring to both her salon and her clients.

ELIZABETH JACOB
18821 Frederick Road, Parkton, 410-357-0833

It’s 25 minutes from the city, but oh what a difference those 25 minutes make! Tucked away in a historic cedar building, right alongside the Little Gunpowder Falls, Elizabeth Jacob truly feels like a destination retreat. Start with the retail store in the front, where they sell Votivo candles, chocolate, and GloMinerals makeup. “Anything to indulge yourself,” says owner Lisa Pucci. And that’s basically the point. Somehow, it’s just a little easier to indulge in this country-chic spa—with its gorgeous tile fountain and beautiful private rooms featuring dramatic orange lights. Services are all state-of-the-art, and include the hydro-active mineral salt scrub, the Swiss collagen facial, and the Danne Enzyme treatment (called a “non-surgical facelift” on the spa’s website). Now, if they could just put a golf course on the salon’s lot, you’d really have a day trip!

SCENE 217
217 Albemarle Street, 410-244-0647

Can a trendy salon actually thrive in defiantly old school Little Italy? Debbie Ingrao is proving that it can. It helps that she lives in the ’hood (her husband and partner Richard used to be president of the neighborhood association) and offers discounts and perks (free bagels on the weekends!) to the locals. It also helps that her salon is so charming—with tin ceilings, gilded mirrors, and Tuscan-inspired décor—and that Ingrao herself is so gracious. As for the services? Hair is the main focus here (Ingrao trained at Studio 1612) and the salon offers the exclusive J Beverly Hills line of all-natural haircare products. But she does makeup and skincare as well (she worked as a makeup artist for Estée Lauder) and will even moonlight (for no charge) as a personal shopper for her regular clients who want to update their whole look. So how does Ingrao lure outsiders into Little Italy? By reminding them that parking is plentiful, and that tonight’s Italian dinner is just a take-out menu away.

TEXTÜR
1830 York Road, Suite C, Timonium, 410-561-0000

Proving once and for all that soccer moms don’t want to look like, well, soccer moms, is textür, the edgy new venture from the dynamic trio of owner/stylist Marcus Ficacci and head stylists Rena Kazmeirski and Woody Pitman. “This area was just craving this,” says Ficacci. The concept was simple: Bring urban styles and a trendy setting to a Timonium strip mall (next to a Starbucks, no less). The studio’s design—chocolate, turquoise, and copper elements set off by a blond bamboo floor—is more Melrose Avenue than York Road, but the hard-working, friendly gang (all trained TIGI educators) are all about great hair, with no attitude. As for their decision to focus mainly on hair (they do makeup as well), Ficacci puts it like this: “We feel it’s better to be great at a few things, than mediocre at too many things.” Amen to that.

Though it may seem simple, choosing the best salons is hardly a cut-and-dried job.

These days, Maryland has almost 4,000 full-service salons (and that
doesn’t even include the hundreds of barber shops and nail salons).
These salons come in all shapes and sizes—from super centers with the
square footage of several football fields (Robert Andrew in Gambrills at
22,000 square feet is the mid-Atlantic’s largest) to boutique shops
with only a handful of stylists. Some salons and spas specialize in hair
or men’s services while others focus on massage, facials, and
state-of-the-art beauty treatments.

Remember when your biggest decisions were bangs or no bangs, spray,
or mousse? Today, the choices are endless, from Brazilian hair
straightening to Brazilian waxing, from thermal reconditioning,
reflexology, Restalyn, and acupuncture to glycolic foot facials, green
coffee body wraps, and hypnosis. To help you navigate your way through
the salonscape, we’ve consulted with industry experts, beauty school
professionals, and stylish insiders. So who made the cut? Read on.

About Faces Day Spa & Salon, 1501 S. Clinton
St., 410-675-0099. About Faces has long been a staple in the suburbs
(Kelly Ripken, wife of Hall of Famer Cal, is a fan), so when a fifth
outlet opened recently in Canton, downtowners rejoiced. This flagship
salon—all beige Corian, ceramic tiles, and sweeping harbor views—is
10,000 square feet and is as full service as they come. Look for an
affiliated medi-spa (Botox, Restalyn, microdermabrasion, anyone?), tooth
whitening, Lomi Lomi Polynesian massage, hair extensions, hydrotherapy
bath treatments, and alphahydroxy exfoliation. There’s even a large,
attractive retail space with high-end skincare products and makeup
(Darphin, Dermalogica, Kerastase, Bumble and Bumble, Jane Iredale), plus
self-help books and aromatherapy candles. Want the mother of all
indulgence? Consider the seven-hour Grand Escape package for $525
(including a spa massage, a hydro-lifting facial, aromatic hydrotherapy
bath, box of Godiva chocolates, and a dozen roses). But you might try a
less expensive spa package first. After all, this kind of hard-core
pampering is not for amateurs.

All About Me, 27 W. Chesapeake Ave., Towson,
410-828-8929. There’s nothing worse than feeling like you have to don
diamonds and designer duds to get your split ends trimmed. With its
shabby chic vibe—softly colored walls in hues of khaki and sea green,
silk flowers, candles, roomy leather sofas—All About Me is a
full-service salon that is as unpretentious as it is professional. In
addition to its superior hair service and treatments—including Japanese
perm straightening, kids cuts, and spiral perms—All About Me offers an
enzymatic sea mud pack treatment, a multi-vitamin power treatment
facial, an express 15-minute manicure, even acupuncture. Need eyelash
extensions, a paraffin manicure, a cellophane wrap, and something
gift-wrapped? To add to the fun, there’s a mini-boutique with a great
selection of jewelry, hair bands, and baby gifts. This salon is also one
of the best places in town for that oft-dreaded Brazilian bikini wax.
After all, who better than esthetician Alison Krysiak, a former St.
Joe’s labor and delivery nurse, to ease your pain?

Alpha Studio, 817 S. Bond St., 410-327-1300. Young
edgy hipsters, such as the cast from The Food Network’s Ace of Cakes,
flock to Alpha Studio for innovative cuts in a down-to-earth,
eco-friendly atmosphere. Co-owners (and spouses) Reuben Kroiz and Jill
Sell keep current by gallivanting the globe to learn the latest
treatments, then bring them back to this intimate Fells Point shop, one
of the few Aveda salons in Baltimore. Alpha’s staff is happy to listen
closely as you kvetch about your hair issues and is quite adept at
solving them—applying age-defying highlights, color correction, or just
giving you that perfect, one-of-a-kind ‘do.

Bella of Canton, 2809 Boston St., 410-327-7872. At
Bella of Canton, patrons have been known to linger with a glass of wine
long after their cut and color is done. Glazed cement floors, a plush
red suede sofa, and oversized black and gold mirrors lend to the
intimate atmosphere, and clients run the gamut from Hopkins students to
more mature ladies and gents. Hair is the “mane” event here (their scalp
massages are among Baltimore’s best) with a wide range of services
including oil treatments for the scalp and hair, gentleman’s glazes,
relaxer treatments, and classic up-do styling. Reflexology, waxing, and
mani-pedis are also available. And while “bella” is the Italian word for
beautiful, Bella of Canton will make you feel beautiful in any
language.

Balance the Salon, 409 W. Cold Spring Lane,
410-366-6169. Salons can be a bit like one of those medical offices
where you spend more time with the support staff than the actual doctor:
The shampooer washes your hair, the stylist swoops in with scissors,
and some newly graduated beauty school student appears with a round
brush and a can of spray to style and blow your hair dry. Not so at
Balance the Salon, where owner Matt Kohn books appointments a minimum of
45 minutes apart and gives each client the personal TLC they deserve.
Kohn, who has been cutting hair for 22 years, is also known for
interpreting your half-formed vision into a great and consistent cut
every time. That, in combination with the salon’s calm, cool
aesthetic—pale blue walls, galvanized pipes, brushed industrial steel
cutting stations, and a rotating art exhibition—is what makes Balance a
favorite of Roland Park residents as well as top tastemakers such as
designers Alexander Baer and Jay Jenkins.

Brian Bunce Barbers, 8911 Belair Rd., Perry Hall,
410-248-0370. Want barbershop prices in a retro-style, family-friendly
atmosphere? Visit Brian Bunce Barbers, where Bunce, a dead ringer for
skateboarder Tony Hawk, designed his 1,000-square-foot space with
authenticity in mind. There are barber chairs from the 40’s, scalp
massagers from the 50’s, two kids’ stations with a 50’s-era fire engine
seat (plus a chipmunk seat from an amusement park), a waiting area with
vintage opera house seats, and even a snappy silver tin ceiling. Such
attention to detail also makes Bunce great at cutting hair for the whole
family. Don’t expect anything froufrou here, the services are basic,
but Bunce aims to please with his straight razor shaves ($19) and cuts
at unbeatable prices ($14 for men’s cut, $12 kids, $20 for women). As
Bunce puts it, “There’s just no need to pay salon prices to get a
quality cut.”

Carl’s Intercoiffure, 5100 Falls Rd., Suite 168,
410-435-9400. To say that Carl’s Intercoiffure has staying power is an
understatement. They’ve been in business for more than 83 years (no
one’s exactly sure on the dates). What’s more, two of the salon’s
stylists, Howard Phong and Willmar Sick (hired in 1954 and 1956
respectively), are still cutting and coloring and have retained many of
their original clients. Yes, the shag, the bob, and bangs have come and
gone (and come back again), prices have changed (when Phong and Sick
started in the 50’s, cuts were $7), and the salon has aquired some new
partners (original owner Carl Griesser passed away in 1997), but Carl’s
keeps ‘em coming because what never changes are the first-rate cuts and
color. Nothing lasts forever, but we have a feeling this Baltimore-area
institution is not going anywhere anytime soon.

Elizabeth Jacob Spa & Salon, 18821 Frederick
Rd., Parkton, 410-357-0833. There’s nothing like big city sophistication
smack dab in the middle of the rolling countryside. Elizabeth Jacob Spa
& Salon, a stone’s throw from Little Gunpowder Falls, is an
escapist idyll that combines the best of both worlds. Situated in a
historic cedar Masonic meetinghouse from the 1700’s, this full-service
salon—with soothing private treatment rooms designed to restore mind,
body, and soul—is a destination unto itself. In addition to cut and
color, we particularly love the Mommy Makeover package (including a
massage, a Vitamin C facial, pedicure, and spa lunch), the Renew for Two
Package (includes manicure, massage, facial, and reflexology with the
companion of your choice), and seasonal specialties such as the
chocolate raspberry mani-pedi with chocolate raspberry scrubs, paraffin
dips, and a cup of raspberry hot chocolate.

Grapevine Hair Studio, 601 S. Montford Ave.,
410-522-2400. Even the bright purple formstone exterior of Grapevine
Hair Studio distinguishes this year’s City Search Winner for “Best Hair
Salon.” Though it’s been known to draw clients from outside Canton, this
is a neighborhood salon, with three stylists that specializes in hip,
multi-dimensional color, styling, and design. Owner Jennifer Chodnicki
and her team of stylists are expert at making great recommendations
based on the shape of your face and lifestyle. Chodnicki also believes
in giving back to the community and offers discount cuts on “Student
Tuesdays.”

Jordan Thomas Salon & Spa, 111 Fulford Ave., Bel
Air, 410-879-6600. This is where hometown girl Kimmie Meissner gets
rink-ready, and it’s easy to see why. As Jordan Thomas owner Terry
McGill says, “Everything we do is exceptional. There are so many
cookie-cutter salons out there—this is just a different experience. We
customize our services to every individual.” Jordan Thomas offers all
the services of larger upscale full-service salons, but still manages to
have a cozy feel in busy Bel Air. Plus, it offers some rarefied spa
services, including photo rejuvenation therapy, a LightPlex pigment
balance treatment for evening out skin tones, arctic algae body
treatments, pumice peels, and a state-of-the-art “wet treatment” room
for Vichy showers. The salon specializes in spa packages and wedding
services (as a bonus, stylist Marianne Markopoulous can also work your
wedding as a photographer). It’s no surprise that Jordan Thomas gets
voted Best Salon in Harford County year after year.

K Co. Design Salon and Day Spa, 6080 Falls Rd.,
410-377-7727. As often happens in the salon world, salons come and go
and stylists jump ship to start their own businesses. Case in point: K
Co. Design Salon and Day Spa, which opened in January in the former DK
Salon (soon to open with its own fabulous new digs down the street) and
has retained many of DK’s former stylists and clients (including
A-listers like Molly Shattuck). New owners (and sisters-in-law) Katie
and Melissa Russell totally renovated the space, which includes a
celadon green relaxation room with dim lighting and velvet couches. “We
want you to forget about the rest of the world when you’re here,” says
salon manager Christine Gardner. “We want you to enjoy the pampering,
and we don’t want to rush you through it.” The full-service K Co. boasts
one of Baltimore’s best colorists, Michelle Johnson (who professionally
airbrushes motorcycles for Mythical Customs in her spare time) as well
as Gardner, once a SAG card-carrying stylist and makeup artist, whose
background includes work on television and film sets.

La Clinica Salon & Day Spa, 1624 York Rd.,
Timonium, 410-828-7464. In the fickle world of beauty, salons can last
as long as a French manicure, so the fact that La Clinica Salon &
Day Spa has continued to shine (and peel and perm and massage and
exfoliate) along a busy stretch of York Road for more than 30 years is a
real accomplishment. The salon has never been afraid to change with the
times—note the recent hiring of Johns Hopkins plastic surgeon Patrick
Byrne, who does Restalyn and Botox treatments. La Clinica’s array of
services run the gamut: reflexology, electrolysis, marine salt
exfoliations, thermal straightening, sauna body treatments, peppermint
body wraps, and manicures (that are among the best in the ‘burbs). And
while change may be good, so is consistency: Mother-daughter owners Joan
Zulanch and Jayne Gary have had many of the same stylists and
estheticians working for them for three decades. “Our staff calls every
five minutes when they are on vacation,” laughs Gray. “We have all
gotten so close, we’re like family.” The clients, we’re told, feel the
same way.

Le Salon De Beauté, 105 Old Court Rd., Pikesville,
410-484-2890. Located in a no-frills 1930’s red brick house, Le Salon De
Beauté is as unsuspecting as salons come. (To give you an idea, the
parking lot is on the site of a former graveyard). But owner Yolanda
Carr, who came from R. Salconi after 15 years, is the secret style
weapon behind some of Greenspring Valley’s most fashionable femmes, many
of whom aren’t talking (you see, if word got out, Carr would no longer
be the best-kept secret in town). Carr also wins points for being a good
listener—she gives the haircut you want as opposed to arbitrarily
morphing you into the latest trend. Given her talent, Carr’s prices are
ridiculously reasonable ($40 and up), but like any artist, she considers
this her calling first and her business second. “What can I say?” muses
Carr. “I have a passion for hair.”

Lluminaire Salon, 15 W. Allegheny Ave., Towson,
410-583-1500. Who cares about a hair cut? We just want to soak up the
modern glamour of the newly renovated Lluminaire Salon. The wenge-wood
cutting stations with stainless accents, the platinum painted walls, the
soothing “lather lounge,” and the soundproof waxing room (scream your
hearts out, ladies!) all reflect owners Dean Krapf and Mario Rentuma and
their impeccable aesthetic. (And we haven’t even mentioned the lower
level lounge with its calming fountains, plum ultra suede seating, and
gorgeous artful flower arrangements by Wicked Willow.) Though Lluminaire
has recently added a nail area, a makeup station, and chichi treatment
rooms, the highly amiable Krapf and Rentuma’s forté continues to be
fabulous hair. As SAG-card-carrying stylists, they’ve primped some of
the most famous follicles on Earth from Portia de Rossi to Daniel Craig.
Krapf pruned and preened over Nicole Kidman last year when she was in
town to film The Awakening, while Rentuma recently wrapped his hair work
for the cast of HBO’s The Wire and on the set of National Treasure 2.

M Salon, 1131 S. Charles St., 410-685-0089. Marion
Lambropoulos, owner of M Salon delivered her first child in late March,
but it was two years ago that she gave birth to this chichi Federal Hill
salon. Lambropoulos drew inspiration from the hip vibe of W Hotels
(think Phillipe Starck Ghost chairs, gold walls, exposed brick, and an
open color lab) and also used a feng shui book to help create balance
and harmony (she says that the large, light-filled windows help the chi
enter the space). The adjacent retail space, M Vanity, is like an adult
candy shop, laden with every conceivable beauty product by Paul
Mitchell, Obagi, and Sebastian, plus fancy nail kits and hair
accessories. Unlike many area salons and spas, M has purposely avoided
expanding beyond hair care to remain fully focused on doing one thing
really well, and the majority of the salon’s nine stylists have
certification as international master color artists.

Morgan Gerard, 101 Annapolis St., Annapolis,
410-263-1812. If you want to walk down the aisle in style, might we
suggest Morgan Gerard? Owners Todd Morgan August and Michael Curry
specialize in bridal hair, makeup application, and spa treatments—from a
refresher facial to body bronzing—designed to calm those wedding day
jitters. (It’s no wonder they were recently featured on Lifetime TV’s
Weddings of a Lifetime.) But the services don’t end there. Morgan Gerard
is 3,500 square feet (with a sizeable expansion on the way) of pure
luxury and indulgence. The folks at Morgan Gerard, also responsible for
turning ducklings into swans on ABC’s Extreme Makeover, are known for
authentic-looking extensions made of human hair, a long list of massages
and body treatments, and services for men including sports manicures
and pedicures, color (“I always keep a little gray in to help it look
real,” reveals Curry), and executive men’s facials. When beauty
treatments beckon, consider listing Morgan Gerard under “Favorites” in
your car’s GPS system.

Mt. Washington Spa, 1600 Kelly Ave., 410-664-3400.
Looking to be queen for a day? Mt. Washington Spa offers one of the only
24-karat gold facials in town (though at $275 for 90 minutes, you might
need some royal roots to afford it). Dating to Cleopatra, whom
historians believe slept in a gold mask every night, pure gold is
thought to slow down collagen depletion and stimulate cellular growth
for softer, suppler skin. Mt. Washington’s focus is on deluxe spa
services in a calm, discreet, Tuscan-inspired setting and is a favorite
stop for Ravens’ and Orioles’ wives. The Spa also offers a caviar wrap
to help tone and tighten, a European treatment for reducing cellulite, a
“Mother 2 Be” facial, and an apple wine peel. Owner Vesna Stojanovic’s
waxing is legendary around town. (She averages about 250 Brazilians a
month.) Stylists are equally impressive: Melanie Fahey-Nielsen is Joico
International’s director of education, Quentin Harris is a former set
stylist for Sex & the City. And for all those ladies who think New
York is the only place where you can get a good haircut, once a month,
several Manhattan stylists, including Hubert Cartier from the famed
Frederic Fekkai & Company, set up shop at the Mt. Washington Spa.
(Alas, they still charge New York prices—cuts are $150.)

Quinntessential Gentleman, 31 S. Calvert St.,
410-685-SHAVE. Let’s face it, most men are not comfortable going to a
salon and barbershops can be chop shops where hair is shortened more
than styled. Quinntessential Gentleman has filled a niche in the heart
of downtown Baltimore as a throwback to 18th-century England, when
genteel barbershops, otherwise known as “tonsorial parlors,” elevated
shaving and shearing to an art form. (Think Sweeney Todd minus the meat
pies.) Frequented by T. Rowe Price and Legg Mason types, Quinntessential
Gentleman is the kind of gentlemen’s club where men can get a straight
razor shave, a hot towel barber facial, an old-fashioned shoe shine, or
play a round of pool or chess. This shop also carries an outstanding
line of imported shaving accessories such as Truefitt & Hill, silver
tip badger brushes, and stainless steel wallets. Swedish and deep
tissue massages and business manicures are also available, and it’s a
popular place for upscale bachelor parties.

The Red Door Spa, Village of Cross Keys, 42 Village
Square, 410-323-3636. We’ve long known Baltimore is a town on the move,
but the opening of The Red Door Spa three years ago helped seal the
deal. The Zen getaway (also in such world-class cities as San Francisco,
London, and Chicago) continues to set the gold standard, with watery
blue glass mosaic tiles, brushed stainless steel, orchids set in river
rocks, red velvet furniture, and every spa service you can think of.
There are 10 types of massage (including a hot stone massage or a
calming abhyanga massage), three kinds of body masks and wraps (warm
shea butter body melt, purifying seaweed wrap), and six types of
pedicures (olive oil pedicure, “heeling” pedicure). This Elizabeth Arden
salon also specializes in makeup application and consultation and
offers a state-of-the-art custom color computerized skin scanner to help
you select the proper foundation, eye, and lip color to match your skin
tone. And just in case you wake up in the middle of the night with a
spa craving, Red Door offers an easy-to-use online appointment service
to book your next date with beauty.

ReNew Organic Day Spa, 843 W. 36th St.,
410-400-2745. At ReNew Organic Day Spa green is the new black. And who
better to bring us Baltimore’s first holistic, organic day spa than
former Hopkins scientist and licensed massage therapist Sherrie
Tennessee and her partner, lifelong environmentalist, alternative
medicine specialist, and certified esthetician Shelley Birnbaum? As the
name implies, this intimate, tranquil day spa will leave you relaxed,
refreshed, and begging for another Bali Beach salt glow body treatment
or ReNew signature massage. With eco-friendly paint, cork flooring, the
complete line of Earth Mama Angel Baby products (organic body care for
new moms and moms to be), plus exclusive Lotus Moon natural skin
therapies, this is one spa that practices what it preaches. In addition
to top-notch treatments, what sets this spa apart is Tennessee and
Birnbaum’s eagerness to educate. Every client receives printed
information about the benefits of their calming service. Frankly, it
calms us just to know that it’s possible to care for body, mind, and
Mother Earth all at the same time.

Robert Andrew: The Salon & Spa, 1328 Main Chapel
Way, Gambrills, 301-261-3844. If you’re looking for a spa and salon
that has just about every conceivable amenity, and you don’t mind taking
a short road trip to the Annapolis area, Robert Andrew: The Salon &
Spa should beckon. At 22,000 square feet, this Tuscan-themed spot is
the mother of all salon/spas in the Mid-Atlantic, with services to
spare, from multicultural hair services (styling, braiding, relaxing,
and texturizing) to pumpkin enzyme facials, to special suites for
couples with soaking tubs and full body massage. There’s also a medical
spa with dermal fillers, laser hair reduction, sclerotherapy (spider
vein treatment), and foot Botox. We’re not the only ones who think this
place is paradise. Robert Andrew has won countless awards—both locally
and from national industry publications—since it opened in 2002.

Salon 36, 6 Park Center Ct., Owings Mills,
410-363-6900. Want an insider’s tip? Salon 36 is the salon most
recommended by our hair professionals. Certainly, the salon itself—with
its warm woods, pumpkin-hued walls, and gold mirrors—is part of the
allure. But the real secret is owner Eddie Seidel, who defected from the
nearby Zibazz five years ago. Seidel is known for shaping hair in such a
way that you can also imitate it at home without wrestling with gels,
pomades, or special brushes. “I don’t even call it a hair cut,” Seidel
says. “I cut dry hair and build shapes and cut hair from the inside out.
I want it to look good the next day when you do it yourself.” Fiercely
fashion-forward clients from Delaware, D.C., Pennsylvania, and even
California cross borders to let Seidel work his magic.

Scene 217, 217 Albemarle St., 410-244-0647. At Scene
217, owner Debbie Ingrao immediately greets her customers with, “Are
you hungry, hon? We’d be happy to order you lunch.” Of course,
Ingrao—who left Studio 1612 to open her own salon last year—works in the
heart of Little Italy, where food is always a topic of conversation. Of
all the salons we visited, we’d be hard pressed to find a friendlier,
more customer-oriented salon. Need a recommendation on where to get a
great dress or handbag in Charm City? Need a reservation at
Chiapparelli’s? Ingrao and her staff will happily help. The salon’s
customers include most of Little Italy’s restaurateurs and, with its big
storefront window, it’s the kind of place where passersby sometimes
just stop in for a cup of coffee or to chat with “the girls.” In
addition to great, often edgy, cuts and color, this boutique salon
sponsors events such as “Mom’s Night Out,” with free makeup and hair
tips, and free consultations by beauty bigwigs such as Alison Raffaele, a
former Bobbi Brown makeup artist who has worked with Gwyneth Paltrow,
Jennifer Lopez, and Alicia Keys.

Spa in the Valley, 118 Shawan Rd., Hunt Valley,
410-771-0200. One of our favorite spa spaces in town is the Tuscan Room
at Spa in the Valley. This dimly lit area—with a warm jetted pool, plush
lounge chairs, a eucalyptus steam room (great for alleviating sinus
issues), a sauna, and an invigorating Swiss shower (with 12 separate
jets)—is complimentary and can be used for a full hour before any spa
service. In addition to a full range of to-die-for spa services, such as
a cinnamon and paprika cellulite treatment, a sugar plum and spice
facial, and a cucumber body butter masque, this spa offers themed
seasonal and holiday specials (a chocolate and roses facial for
Valentine’s Day, for instance) that make a great gift for the one you
love. It’s no wonder that Spa in the Valley was just voted one of the
Top 200 spas in the country by Salon Today trade magazine.

Spa Santé, 1429 Aliceanna St., 410-534-0009. We
always dug Spa Santé for its uber-chic industrial décor,
state-of-the-art medi-spa, and super-convenient address in the trendy
Harbor East neighborhood. But lately things have been really hoppin’ on
the hair end, too, and there’s one reason why: Chas. Yup, the longtime
Baltimore hairstylist and bon vivant has moved his entire operation to
Spa Santé’s ground floor (all of the mani-pedi stations have joined the
spa services upstairs). So what’s hot on the spa end? A medi-spa for
Botox and Restylane injections and an array of spa packages that include
Baby and Me (prenatal massage, organic mani-pedi, and a European
facial) and the unisex Boardroom (executive facial, mani-pedi, haircut,
and scalp treatment).

Sprout, 925 W. 36th St., 410-235-2269. The first
thing you notice on a visit to Sprout is that it doesn’t smell like your
high school chemistry lab—none of the formaldehyde, sodium lauryl
sulfates, methyl paraben, ammonia, and other toxins used in most salons.
And though it has never been scientifically proven that getting a
haircut is good for your health, our bet is that the Surgeon General
would happily endorse Sprout, which uses only good-for-the-planet
products. Sprout is Charm City’s first eco-friendly salon, and the
“green theme” is carried out everywhere—from the bamboo flooring to the
energy efficient fluorescent lights, to the soy-based business cards,
vinegar cleaning products, and organic Aubrey hair-care products. They
even recycle the hair they cut (it’s turned into sponges that help clean
oil spills)! Sprout’s clientele runs the gamut from Hampden hipsters to
local trendsetters to pregnant women who can even get color, usually a
prenatal no-no.

Studio 921 Salon & Medi Day Spa, 921 E. Fort
Ave., 410-783-7727. At Studio 921 Salon & Medi Day Spa it’s hard to
go more than a few feet without encountering Buddha—be it a bust, a
hand-painted mural, or reclining statuary. That’s because the salon’s
motto: “Where style and wellness meet,” reflects business partners Judy
Sulisufaj Kelly and Colleen Smith and their focus on both the physical
and spiritual side of beauty. “How you feel on the inside very much
reflects how you feel on the outside,” says Smith. In addition to the
usual hair straightening, cutting, and styling services, there are
seasonal body scrubs and wraps and reflexology treatments. The spa also
offers a unique dual-practioner rehabilitation massage in which two
massage therapists work on one client at a time. Now, that’s the kind of
pampering we could get used to!

Studio 1612, 1501 Sulgrave Ave., 410-664-3010.
What’s in a number? A lot, apparently. Before Scene 217, Bliss 7, Salon
36, and Studio One Eleven, there was Studio 1612. And though this
fixture in the village of Mt. Washington has changed locations (the 1612
part used to reference an old address), the 16-year-old salon still
remains the place to go if you want fashion-forward cuts in a friendly
and relaxed neighborhood setting. Owners Karen Bialozynski and Judy
Weidel have more than 50 years of cutting experience between them and
are two of the most talented and down-to-earth women in the biz. Not
only does 1612 routinely send its stylists to New York for hair
seminars, they have a wildly successful apprentice program (sometimes it
seems like half the stylists in town were trained at 1612). A bonus
from that apprentice program? The salon’s menu of services—from haircuts
and cellophanes to nails and facials—ranges in price according to the
experience level of the stylist or esthetician. But be assured, they
won’t let you out of the salon if you don’t look—and feel—great.

Uno, The Salon, 10751 Falls Rd., Suite 106,
Brooklandville, 410-821-9080. There are few stylists in town who have
earned the right to be known on a first name only basis, but Uno of Uno,
The Salon, is one of them. Simply put, Uno (whose last name, for the
record, is Tuluoglu and whose real first name is Unal, Turkish for
famous) has a ken for cutting hair. He is known for the quality of his
contemporary and classic cuts and color, which keeps celebrity clients,
such as WJZ-TV anchor Sally Thorner, and WBAL’s Lisa Robinson, coming
through his Green Spring Station glass doors (makeup artist Trish McEvoy
even stops by whenever she’s in town promoting her cosmetic’s line at
Nordstrom). The native Turk, whose client list in Istanbul included
former First Lady of Turkey, Senra Ozal, is so popular, some Uno fans
come to him up to four times a week for washing, drying, and “tzujing.”

You, Salon Inc., 4785 Dorsey Hall Dr., Ellicott
City, 443-367-0200. Unlike some salons where you might be tempted to
switch stylists but fear embarrassment, at You, Salon Inc. clients are
encouraged to try each of the six stylists. “We are working for the
client,” says owner Robin Gribbin. “From the beginning, we tell our
clients, they should try all of our stylists. They can go to one person
for color and another for cut. And if you move to someone else’s chair,
we’ll still come over and say hello.” Of course, clients can comfortably
make a switch because consistency is a point of pride for You, Salon,
the sole salon chosen to do hair and makeup for Fox 45’s Make Me Over
Show. The salon has a strong apprenticeship program, which means that
every stylist receives additional training from Gribbin, a former Redken
educator and her son, Jason, a Redken educator, on the latest trends,
tips, and techniques.

“People are realizing that taking care of yourself is no longer a
luxury,” says Christine Cochrum of Federal Hill’s Apothecary Wellness.
“Taking care of yourself is a necessity.”

And that, in a nutshell, is why the beauty business is still thriving
in Baltimore (despite this little recession that maybe you’ve heard
of?). Whether you’re updating your look for a job interview or just
giving yourself a much-needed break, there’s nothing like a salon visit
to revive and rejuvenate. So, to help you sort out the scene, we combed
Baltimore and beyond, rooting out the top spots for cut, color, coffee
body wraps, gold facials, and more. We found tiny boutique shops and
sprawling medi-centers; places where no boys are allowed and guy-centric
havens. We even found a place where a tween can get a super-cool
manicure. And through it all, we stuck to our rule of the day: One
should never, ever feel guilty about a little indulgence.

OLD FAVORITES

About Faces Day Spa & Salon
1501 S. Clinton
Street, 3rd Floor, 410-675-0099: About Faces celebrated its 39th
anniversary last October, the equivalent of an eternity in the salon
world. With five locations and a total of 50,000 square feet of skin
care, body treatment rooms, and massage beds, About Faces gets bigger
and better every year. How does it do it? By staying on top of the
trends, hiring expert personnel, and emphasizing continuing education
(with industry gurus such as Oribe Canales, whose clients include
Jennifer Lopez and Blake Lively). Star staffers include 39-year veteran
aesthetician Mona Lindblom and stylist Paul Skotarczak, a former monk
who brings out the inner and outer beauty in everyone. The menu of
services is as long and satisfying to read as a Charles Dickens novel,
with a Darphin chamomile and honey soothing facial, Lomi Lomi and Zero
Balancing massage, green coffee body wraps, raindrop therapy, and
Kerastase treatments. It’s a real page turner!

Giuseppe’s Hair Studio and Spa
2616 Taylor
Avenue, 410-665-4490: Have you gotten a great cut in Baltimore lately?
Odds are, you should thank Giuseppe Castellano, who trained many of the
top stylists in town, including Lluminaire Salon’s Dean Krapf and Mario
Rentuma. Having styled generations of Baltimoreans from his homey
Parkville salon, Giuseppe treats everyone like family. It’s no
coincidence, perhaps, that nearly everyone who works in the salon is
family—niece Melina is a hairdresser, daughter Pasqua gives a
chip-defying manicure, stepdaughter Gina takes care of skin treatments
and massage, and wife Arne also handles hair. While Giuseppe has
officially been cutting and coloring for 38 years (and still retains
many of his original customers), he got his first gig as a shampoo boy
at the tender age of 11 in his native Bari, Italy. Says Castellano, “I
knew I wanted to do this at a young age, because I always cared so much
about how my own hair looked.”

Lluminaire Salon
15 W. Allegheny Avenue, Towson,
410-583-1500: Dean Krapf and Mario Rentuma could easily have swollen
heads considering the ones they’ve tended to—Portia de Rossi, Daniel
Craig, Nicole Kidman, Benjamin Bratt, and Nicolas Cage, just to name a
few. But that’s never the case. Every time we enter this stunning
space—with its platinum-painted walls, ultra-suede seating, and
old-Hollywood-style glamour—we are made to feel as though we’re the ones
getting the red-carpet treatment. (Longtime manager and receptionist
Wanda Butta sets the tone as the perfect hostess.) To avert hair
tragedies, Krapf and Rentuma are happy to do free consultations,
ensuring a sexy cut and radiant color that suits you (and not the Vogue
model whose photo you randomly ripped out of a magazine). An added
off-the-menu bonus: When prompted, Krapf and Rentuma gladly dole out
invaluable head-to-toe tips on makeup and wardrobe for a whole new you.
One caveat: If you’re lucky enough to get your foot in the door, book
smart and make your next few appointments in advance. We’re pretty sure
that’s how Nicole Kidman got in.

Studio 1612
1501 Sulgrave Avenue, 410-664-3010:
Ask anyone in the know what salon deserves top nods, and even people who
go elsewhere will mention Studio 1612. That’s because, in addition to
peerless customer service (Dale Carnegie could have taken a few tips
from them), owners Karen Bialozynski and Judy Weidel are committed to
delivering the very best in hair services at a price that’s surprisingly
affordable ($55 for Karen, $57 for Judy). While so many salons have
strayed far from the business of tending to hair (Botox, tooth whitening
. . . what’s next? baby deliveries?), 1612 and its expert team of 30
stylists has never lost its mane mission. They love to cut hair and they
love their customers—and it shows.

Uno, the Salon
10751 Falls Road, 410-821-9080: No
matter how hard we try to spread the love, we always come back to Uno,
the Salon, where owner Uno Tuluoglu and his team of talented stylists
(including Katya Brunshteyn, who is unparalleled for Brazilian
straightening) are singularly focused on getting you gorgeous. From
contemporary to classic, the emphasis is on cut and color here, though
the manicures and pedicures are first rate and a cute boutique with
Pylones brushes and barrettes can quell your retail cravings. Whether
it’s Uno’s Turkish purr, the abundance of evil eye talismans to keep
hair disasters at bay, or the ultra-professional staff to cater to your
every whim (if you need a caffeine fix, staffers are happy to make a
complimentary cappuccino run to the nearby Stone Mill Bakery), the salon
always leaves us feeling fabulous. (Bonus! Students receive a 20
percent discount on any hair service.)

NEW FAVORITES

dk salon & spa
5701 Newbury Street,
410-377-4300: While dk salon & spa is not exactly new to the salon
scape (owner Denise Klicos has been in the biz for more than 30 years),
dk reinvented itself in July 2008 when it moved from Lake Falls Village
to new, luxe Mt. Washington digs. No expense was spared on this Rita St.
Clair Associates-designed space, which features Thassos marble, warm
woods, and contemporary orange upholstery. Plus, dk is the only salon in
Mt. Washington’s “village” with valet. (No small perk when you consider
most meters last the length of a hair wash.) But the more things
change, the more they stay the same. While many of dk’s staffers are new
(Russian nail vet Raisa Kolker gives one of the best “manis” on the
planet), you can still count on the team to carefully consider your bone
structure and hair type with every cut and color job. Kevin Rock, who
has been with dk for more than a decade, is particularly known for his
high-wattage color work.

K. Co Design Salon & Day Spa
6080 Falls Road,
410-377-7727: What we find most refreshing about this freshman salon is
the friendly, let-your-hair down atmosphere, where the walls are
adorned with pics of the staff’s cute four-legged friends and clients
stop by just to show off their new babies. But make no mistake, K. Co is
the place to go for punk-rock panache, classic cuts, and cutting-edge
treatments (K. Co is one of the few salons in the area that offers the
Coppola treatment, a new straightening and defrizzing technique), as
well as exclusive products such as the Red Bee creamy honey facial scrub
mask. The expert staff includes two of Charm City’s top color
artists—Kenny Saenz, who also grooms (and owns) Westminster-winning
longhaired Chihuahuas, and Michele Johnson, a color educator for
Alfaparf, who airbrushes motorcycles in her off hours. Stylists James
Machniak (WBAL-TV’s Marianne Banister is a client) and Vanessa Vale (who
helps keep Fox45’s Jennifer Gilbert in the news) are also at the top of
everyone’s list.

NV Salon Collective
861 W. 36th Street,
410-467-1754: Owner Nikki Verdecchia, whose trademark cuts tend toward
classic with a kick, has been quietly making a name for herself for the
past 18 years. Before she opened NV Salon Collective last August, she
was the artistic director for About Faces and a stylist at Roland Park’s
Balance. Verdecchia also has some major styling “cred” on her
resume—she did Sissy Spacek’s color on the set of Tuck Everlasting and
is the exclusive stylist for burlesque beauty Trixie Little. Now that
she’s branching out on her own, she’s keeping it admirably simple—you
can count on NV Salon for technically excellent haircuts and a friendly,
down-to-earth atmosphere.

padma
3401 Keswick Road, 410-243-1717: Padma is
set on the site of the former laundromat in John Waters’s cult classic
Pecker, and though the soapsuds are long gone, this Hampden salon (whose
name is the Sanskrit word for lotus, which translates to “new
beginning”) is still the place to go for a great wash and dry. If you’re
looking for the type of unpretentious salon where you don’t have to get
dolled before your cut and no one cares if you curl up on the cushy
sofa or kick your feet up on the wood coffee table, padma is for you.
With six stylists on staff (three of whom recently defected from
Corbin’s salon), padma specializes in hair services—trims, highlights,
perms, and relaxers—and is the kind of salon guys like, too. (Actor John
Astin and Gertrude’s John Shields are padma loyalists.)

Privé Salon + Spa at Silo Point
1200 Steuart
Street C-1A, 443-388-8170: There’s nothing like going to a salon full of
young, sexy staffers in a hip industrial setting to inspire us to
update our look. Owners Johnna Sychuk (a ringer for Heather Locklear’s
younger self) and Jennifer Beck (equally blonde and beautiful) trained
with the legendary Chas before making a go of it on their own last June.
The focus here is on hair services—cuts, color, highlights, and
state-of-the-art straightening and scalp treatments—plus a constellation
of facials and body treatments. (The salon’s flawless-faux airbrush
tanning would have George Hamilton salivating.) And since we’re all
pressed for time, the 30-minute express services (including a $50 facial
or the $55 hot stone massage) seem like an inspired lunch-hour idea.
The buzz is that WBAL-TV’s Mindy Basara and Melissa Carlson get
camera-ready here.

BOUTIQUE SALONS

The Corbin Salon
1422 Clarkview Road, First
Floor, 410-494-8888: While in some circles he is known as “the bad boy
of beauty” (his old business cards read: “I get done by Corbin,” for
instance), there is no denying that Corbin Grinage is a Baltimore
institution, and that his salon is the place where women who could go
absolutely anywhere flock for face-framing cuts and impossibly current
color. Corbin, who trained at the famed Vidal Sassoon in London (the
Harvard of hair schools), recently moved from The Colonnade to sleek new
digs in Bare Hills, and the aesthetic—like his haircuts—is classic
modern. For more than 30 years, Corbin has coiffed about 5,000 heads a
year. (We don’t have our calculators handy, but that’s a lot of hair.)
The secret to his success is surprisingly simple: “I do it by giving one
good haircut at a time.”

Dreadz N’ Headz
1826 Woodlawn Drive, Suite 2,
410-298-0660: Even on a Monday—an off-day when most salons are empty or
closed, Malaika-Tamu Cooper’s Dreadz N’ Headz in the Gywnn Oak section
of Baltimore bustles with business. Black or white, young or old, if
you’re contemplating dreads, Cooper, who won the Golden Scissors Awards
for Natural Hair Care Specialist of the Year (2002, 2003, 2004), is the
“Lady of the Loc.” While she’s not one to braid and tell, Cooper has
counted as her clients Wyclef Jean, former Haitian President
Jean-Bertrand Aristide, and former Sen. Carol Moseley Braun. She
currently tends to the dreads of Los Angeles Dodgers’ slugger Manny
Ramirez. While much of what she knows comes from being self-taught,
Cooper has also studied with the best in the business including author
Pamela Ferrell and industry innovator Ademola Mandella. She has also
traveled widely to such places as London, Paris, the French West Indies,
and Tunisia to teach her art. “Your hair,” she believes, “is your
crowning glory.”

salon laurie & company
5910 Falls Road,
410-464-1500: There’s a good reason salon laurie was voted as one of the
Top 200 fastest growing businesses in North America by Salon Today
magazine (2008 and 2009) and saw a 32 percent increase in business this
past year in the midst of a major economic downturn. Owner Laurie
Schroeder and her 23 staffers are great at what they do. And what
exactly do they do? Just about everything, including signature color
jobs, Saving Face peels, state-of-the-art paraffin infusions, wig work
by the famed Lola Jones, and one of the dreamiest treatments we’ve found
in the area—the salon laurie Signature Spa Experience (in which a
massage therapist kneads your arms and legs while an aesthetician
steams, cleans, masks, and moisturizes during the facial). If budget is
an issue, no need to go to an in-and-out chop shop: Tuesdays are
workshop days when assistant stylists (under the tutelage of Schroeder
and other senior stylists) cut hair on the floor for as little as $15.

Scene 217
217 Albemarle Street, 410-244-0647: The
salon business can be as tangled as a web of knotted hair. Salons hire
apprentices only to see them leave a few years later and open their own
places—often across the street! At Scene 217, kudos to Debbie Ingrao,
who has never forgotten her roots and will gladly sing the praises of
Studio 1612 in Mt. Washington, where she got her start. Of course,
Ingrao and her staff can give you expert cut and color (from daring to
demure) as well as updos and makeup application, but what really sets
the salon apart is the stuff not mentioned on the menu. Ingrao, who
lives in Little Italy with her husband Richard and her two cute kids,
has become her ‘hood’s unofficial beauty cheerleader, and her salon
offers book clubs (“Beauty and the Books”), restaurant recommendations,
and complimentary “Ladies’ Night Out” events filled with quick-fix
makeover tips and free consultations by beauty insiders. It’s no wonder
that this is where WJZ-TV ladies Mary Bubala Smith and Kelly McPherson
come to let down their hair.

JUST FOR GENTS

The Beatnik Barbershop
241 W. Read Street,
410-669-3033: For guys who don’t dig the whole metrosexual thing, head
to The Beatnik Barbershop in historic Mt. Vernon for a shaggy chic or
clean-cut corporate cut, a straight-razor shave, a cup of joe, and
throwback prices ($16 a shear). We love the cool, retro vibe here (think
barbershop pole, hunter green leather, and chrome circa-1960s chairs)
plus the local artwork on the walls and The New York Times sports
section strewn about. Don’t even bother making an appointment—they take
only walk-ins and, yes, a “Y” chromosome is pretty much mandatory.

FX Studios
11270 Pepper Road, Hunt Valley,
410-771-1500: While FX does have some female clientele, with its private
styling studios, movies in continuous rotation on 16-foot screens
(Duplicity and The Fast and the Furious were recent offerings),
flat-screen TVs, “Wi-Fi” hot spot, leather screening chairs, and
complimentary beer and wine, FX clearly caters to guys. Unlike many
salons and spas that relegate men’s services to a simple haircut or a
shave, FX has a separate men’s menu with anti-aging treatments for the
scalp, precision haircuts (including a quickie express cut if you’re on
the go), raindrop therapy, organic back treatments, and a full range of
waxing services including neck, chest, and even men’s Brazilian waxing.
(Payback is hell, guys!) Free neck and sideburn trims between haircuts
(and bang trimming for women) are a perk for regular customers.

Quinntessential Gentleman
31 S. Calvert Street,
410-685-SHAVE: For men who want a place to call their own that’s not a
strip-mall franchise or a so-called unisex salon that secretly caters to
women, Quinntessential Gentleman is just what the doctor ordered. In
the heart of downtown Baltimore’s financial district, QG caters to T.
Rowe Price and Legg Mason executive-types, but plenty of men drive in
from the ‘burbs for a straight razor or hot lather shave, a hot-towel
facial, a shoeshine, or a game of billiards. This spot is also a great
place to buy the man in your life a classy gift: The front of the shop
has an extensive retail space filled with imported cigars, upscale
grooming products, and sophisticated, one-of-a-kind accessories, such as
silk mallard duck neckties, compass cuff links, and ivory and
silver-tip badger shaving brushes.

GREEN

Alpha Studio
817 S. Bond Street, 410-327-1300:
For those who believe green is good (and want only the best organic
products for their hair, skin, and body), Alpha Studio, open seven days a
week, is one of the only exclusive Aveda concept salons in Baltimore.
While so many hair salons smell like a hazmat zone, Alpha Studio is a
celebration of lavender, geranium, and peppermint. What’s more, the
cheerful presence of Lepke, a lab/Weimeraner mix, immediately lowers our
stress level. Husband-and-wife stylists Reuben Kroiz and Jill Sell have
built a reputation for state-of-the-art services and have cultivated a
unique following that includes everyone from Hopkins-types and downtown
professionals to the Ace of Cakes’s crew. Even more impressive, the pair
recently worked New York’s Fashion Week for designers Christian
Siriano, Ports 1961, and Karen Sabag.

Apothecary Wellness
1301 Light Street,
443-540-4022: If we ever left Baltimore (heaven forbid!), it’s quite
possibly the facials and custom massages at Federal Hill’s Apothecary
Wellness that we’d miss the most. What impresses us even more than the
bamboo and organic cotton sheets and towels is the fact that owners
Rachel Costello (a licensed massage therapist) and Christine Cochrum (a
clinical nutritionist, massage therapist, and aesthetician) customize
each and every treatment. No two facials are alike! And you actually see
real results from their Alpha Hydroxy Acid Fruit Pulp Treatment or Hot
Stone Massage. All this Zen perfection does come with a price, but to
help make a visit more affordable, Apothecary Wellness also offers a
new, cost-saving “membership program.” (Enjoy two 60-minute massages for
$130 a month, for instance, and membership also entitles you to 10
percent off any additional service and five percent off retail
products). By appointment only.

Sprout: An Organic Salon
925 W. 36th Street,
410-235-2269: With its reclaimed materials cabinetry, chemical-free
Aubrey hair-care products, energy-efficient lights, and commitment to
recycling everything from lunch to locks of hair, Sprout couldn’t be a
stronger shade of green. And while kindness to Mother Earth is
admirable, this three-year-old salon (voted one of the “Top 100 Salons
in the United States” by Elle magazine in 2009) wouldn’t be so
successful without delivering consistent, quality haircuts ranging from
classic to kicky. One of our favorite Sprout staples? The bliss-inducing
deep-scalp essential oil massage that comes with every cut.

SALON-SPAS

Dreamers Salon & Day Spa
226 Main Street,
Reisterstown, 410-833-9999: From the fairy-themed murals to the couple’s
massage room with its soaring crystal chandelier, Dreamers is
Baltimore’s best escape that doesn’t involve a travel agent. “We are all
about creating fantasy and illusion,” says owner Susan Feinberg, who
hugs each of her customers as they walk in the door. “We want our
customers to feel like they are not in the world outside.” Open for 13
years in Reisterstown’s quaint historic area, and set inside two
neighboring Victorian homes, Dreamers is for those who want an intimate,
personalized experience rarely found in a spa/salon with so many
services. (Swedish massage, acupuncture, and cut and color are all on
the menu.) And we simply can’t say enough good things about aesthetician
Katie Devlin, who has a developed a fiercely loyal following for her
outstanding facials. Her clients worship her so completely that she has
some standing appointments through 2014!

Mt. Washington Spa
1600 Kelly Avenue,
410-664-3400: The Belgrade-born Vesna Stojanovic—owner of Mt. Washington
Spa—is part cosmetologist, part chemist, and part miracle worker. (If
there was a Guinness World Records category for speedy Brazilians, Vesna
would win it.) Stojanovic is best known for her aromatherapy facials
with essential oils that permeate the skin and seem to turn back the
hands of time. In addition to high-end, unique spa services (24-karat
gold facials, cellulite treatments, caviar or chocolate wraps), Mt.
Washington also offers great hair care (in-demand stylist Quentin Harris
dolled up the Sex & the City ladies as a one-time set stylist). And
for anyone who insists on a New York haircut and doesn’t care about
price, a team of stylists from Manhattan’s famed Frederic Fekkai &
Company descend on Mt. Washington Spa once a month to cut and color.
Cuts are $150 a head and color ranges from $200 to $325. Cue the line
about you being worth it.

Renaissance Salon & Spa
11121 York Road,
Cockeysville, 410-527-1175 (with a second location in Frederick): At
24,000 square feet, with 14 treatment rooms, extensive retail space, a
designated men’s barbering area, medi-spa services with Restalyn, Botox,
and Latisse (for lash lengthening), and a spa menu that could easily
take several hours to read, Renaissance Salon & Spa can literally
cater to your every need. (We love the special occasion massage that is
followed by a meal on Vera Wang china.) Still, for all the hundreds of
services on the books, we like the fact that you can come in for a
simple manicure or sauna. And guys like it, too. We’re told WBAL-TV
meteorologist Tom Tasselmyer unwinds here.

Spa Santé
1429 Aliceanna Street, 410-534-0009:
Before you make an appointment with your shrink or head to the
dermatologist, book an appointment at Spa Santé (which means “health” in
French). Be it back pain (try the Weekend Warrior deep-tissue/Swedish
massage), breakouts (the organic anti-acne or oxygen infusion facials),
or bad hair (hair pioneer Chas Kuhn partnered with Santé founder Elaine
Rogers two years ago and now runs the salon), Spa Santé can cure what
ails you. The “nail bar,” where you can get a complimentary glass of
wine while having your nails buffed and polished to perfection, will
also add to your overall well-being.

Studio 921 Salon & Medi Day Spa
921 E. Fort
Avenue, Suite 108, 410-783-SPAS: Nestled in the industrial-chic Historic
Foundry building, Studio 921 is where buddhas, bamboo candle holders,
comfy slippers, and oversized chairs come together to create spa bliss.
If there is a spa treatment or hair service available somewhere in the
cosmos (think Japanese straightening, enzyme facials, or Thai massage),
you will find it here. Insiders know it’s never too soon to book a
massage with Rosalinda Herranz, who so wowed Ravens defensive tackle
Justin Bannan with her tough but tender touch, she now gives him weekly
massages. Other area VIPS love it here, too: Under Armour founder Kevin
Plank and writer Laura Lippman are clients, and Journey guitarist Neal
Schon was the most recent celebrity sighting.

FAMILY FRIENDLY

Carmen’s Barber Shop
1532 Liberty Rd.,
410-552-3375: If you’re looking for a no-frills, family-friendly place
that gets the job done with a minimum of pomp and circumstance (snip and
sayonara in under 30 minutes), Carmen’s Barber Shop in Eldersburg is
for you. The prices at Carmen’s—voted Best Barber Shop by The Carroll
County Times in 2009—are ridiculously retro (kids cuts are $11 on
Tuesdays; men’s cuts are always $13), and Carmen Trimboli, who recently
sold the shop but still works as a stylist, has decorated the joint with
his nifty collection of hundreds of die-cast cars from Chevys to
Cadillacs. When getting a haircut is almost as much fun as watching
Thomas the Tank Engine, you know something is right.

Salon 36 Kids
1496 Reisterstown Rd., Suite 219,
410-580-KIDS: For parents, it’s always a Kodak moment when Junior gets
shorn—but let’s face it, most kids would rather do extra math homework.
One visit to Salon 36, with its Crayola-colored décor, train sets, and
gumball machine, and your moppet will be booking their own appointments.
Salon 36 has many of the same services adult salons offer—cuts, color,
blowout, flat ironing, even eyebrow waxing (!). And multitasking moms
and dads can save time in their day by booking an appointment here, too.

WORTH THE DRIVE

Hudson & Fouquet Salon
181 West Street,
Annapolis, 410-263-9790: Yes, it’s a bit of a schlep to the state
capital to get a haircut, but trust us when we say that a trip to Hudson
& Fouquet is well worth the mileage. The vibe here is metropolitan
minimalist, in a friendly, small-town setting. This salon, voted “Best
of Annapolis” by What’s Up Annapolis Magazine (2007, 2008) and one of
the Top 200 Salons by Salon Today magazine, is known for delivering
simple, classic glamour (co-owner Matt Hudson’s forte) and more
avant-garde cuts (co-owner Luc Fouquet’s specialty) as well as the
latest trends in treatment (Keratin and Kerastase, Balayage
highlighting, cellular water facials). Hudson and Fouquet pride
themselves on hospitality (e-mailing you after every service to ensure
customer satisfaction) and are great at giving you a style you can
actually replicate at home. As if that’s not enough, Hudson &
Fouquet has an extensive retail space adjacent to the salon stocked with
high-end products and its own line of sprays and pomades.

The Pearl Modern Spa and Boutique
8171 Maple Lawn
Boulevard, Fulton, 301-776-6948: If heaven were a programmable place on
your navigation system, it would lead you directly to The Pearl, where
walls of water, mesmerizing images of koi swimming in continuous loop on
plasma TVs, and essence of Icelandic moonflower intermingle to create
an environment of total tranquility. Valentine’s Day news flash! This
spa has the best couples rooms in town, with romantic Jacuzzi tubs, dual
massage tables that convert into pedicure chairs, and iPod docking
stations. The Blue Grotto for do-it-yourself mud treatments is another
spa must. Whatever you crave—be it a Vitamin C facial, a Japanese foot
massage, or a guava-and-coconut wrap—you will find it in this
Fulton-area spa that is so extensive it should have its own zip code.

Robert Andrew Salon & Spa
1328 Main Chapel
Way, Gambrills, 410-721-3533: Bigger may not always be better, but at
Robert Andrew— which measures 22,000 square feet and is one of the
largest salons and spas on the East Coast—big is definitely beautiful.
While some spas and salons sacrifice service for size, the level of
attentiveness here is outstanding. If you can’t find it here—from Reiki
massage and Vichy showers to eyebrow threading (Nasreen Bakhsh gets high
marks for her high arches), hot stone pedicures, and a “facial bar”
with to-die-for express seaweed facials—it simply doesn’t exist. Robert
Andrew has earned bragging rights on several fronts—it’s the official
salon and spa for both the Ravens’ and the Washington Redskins’
cheerleaders, and barber Derek Williams is entertainer Wayne Brady’s
personal stylist. We’re not the only ones who think Robert Andrew is
deserving—this place has won almost every industry award imaginable from
“Top 200 Salons” by Salon Today magazine to “Salon of the Year” by
Modern Salon.

---

Big Wigs

A salon owner is Helping women with cancer feel better about themselves—one wig at a time.

Five years ago, when Kendra Darnell was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast
cancer, she was panicked about the prospect of losing her hair from the
treatments.
“I was scared to death I was going to lose my hair and
not have my wig in time,” says Darnell, who now mentors other women as a
volunteer through SOS (Survivors Offering Support) at Anne Arundel
Medical Center. “One of my daughters was graduating from high school the
year I was diagnosed, and the other one was a year younger. It was
really important to me to wear a wig. They knew what was going on, but I
didn’t want to see it in their faces every day.”
Darnell turned to
Sherri Romm at Versacchi Studios in Owings Mills to help her fashion a
wig that would look like her own head of short, blonde hair. “The wig
was so great, a lot of people didn’t even know I was wearing one,” says
Darnell. “Sherri helped me get through a difficult time—she was one of
my angels.”
For 16 years now, Romm has been a guardian angel to
thousands of women experiencing a similar trauma. She first got into the
business when a friend lost her beautiful mane of auburn hair to
chemotherapy treatments.
“My friend found this acrylic wig that
looked horrendous,” recalls Romm, who had no experience in the beauty
industry at the time. “It made her look 20 years older and wasn’t even
close to her style, so I said, ‘Let me try to create a wig for you.'”
At
the time, Romm was a computer engineer. And while she had no experience
with wig making, she did have an M.F.A. in painting from MICA and an
artist’s eye for color, texture, and form. “My only exposure to wigs at
that point was that my mom had an entire closet of colored wigs and
falls in the ’60s,” says Romm with a laugh. “I was also always amazed at
how beautiful my mother looked at the drop of a hat—the wigs
transformed her. That’s what we do here.”
After familiarizing herself
with the manufacturers who produced handmade hair goods, Romm wrote up
her first wig order for her friend. When the wig came back six weeks
later, Romm knew that the experience had been transformative—not just
for her friend, but for her as well.
“I did not cut hair at the
time,” says Romm, who now designs the wigs herself. “So I had to use the
services of a stylist from another salon who cut the wig for her. When
he showed her what she looked like, she was elated. That was the moment I
said, ‘This is the coolest thing that anyone could be doing with their
life.'”
More than a decade later, Romm, who went on to earn a
cosmetology degree in 2002, has become a pioneer in the wig industry,
helping not only cancer patients but people who suffer from alopecia and
other forms of hair loss due to radiation, burns, or trauma. Her
wigs—costing between $1,300 and $1,800—are made of human hair and were
among the first in the country to be custom-blended, hand-colored, and
completely customized.
“My wigs put a whole new spin on hair
replacement,” says Romm. “I’m not saying that a wig is the same as your
hair, but when people don’t know that it’s a wig, they don’t treat you
any differently, and that’s what cancer patients want—they want
normalcy.”
During wig fittings, Romm encourages her clients to bring
their own music as well as friends. Some clients even choose to have
“wig parties” as they go through fittings in one of Versacchi’s private
rooms. (About 60 percent of Versacchi clients come for wigs, but she
also offers standard cut-and-color services.)
“A lot of women just
want to take control,” says Romm. “They don’t have control over anything
else in their lives, so the hair becomes a center point, and I am very
open to whatever they want to experience.”
While customer
satisfaction runs high, Romm says she and her stylists get back so much
more than they give. “All of my stylists say they wake up every day with
a sense of purpose,” says Romm. “There is nothing more gratifying then
taking somebody who is a mess and just getting them through that ring of
fear so they can focus on getting better. As a salon, we are small, but
we are mighty.”

Our makeover giveaway winner is Meghan Murphy, a graduating senior from Towson University. Nominated by her older sister, Meghan needs a style update for the professional world and a reprieve from some recent rough times. See how the team at K. Co Salon and Day Spa gives Meghan a great new look!

What is it about our relationship with our hair? Even when the sun
isn’t shining (this is Baltimore, after all), if our hair looks good,
all is right with the world. Since our very sense of well-being is so
wrapped up in our hair, choosing the right salon and stylist is a must.
That’s why we take our mission to point out Baltimore’s top salons so
seriously. And with so many great salons in the Baltimore area—trust us
when we say, several worthy salons didn’t make the cut—it’s a heady task
indeed. There are the tried and trues (About Faces, still going strong
after four decades), the specialty salons (Sprout is a naturalist’s
nirvana), and new places on the hair horizon (you read it here first:
Laboratorie is a rising star). One thing all these places have in
common? They understand that a bad hair day is not a minor hiccup—it’s a
full-blown life crisis.

About Faces Day Spa & Salon

1501 S. Clinton Street, 3rd Floor
410-675-0099

Roots: Open 42 years—Richard Nixon was president
when they started!—About Faces has built a salon empire (six locations,
four counties). And though this salon has seen trends come and go, the
expert staff evolves by learning the latest techniques from style gurus
like Oribe and Ronnie Stam. Added bonus: They’re open
every day of the week, so when you’re readying for a hot date but find
yourself with an unwieldy brow situation, About Faces can handle your
beauty emergencies. Services: An expansive menu goes from hair to eternity: multi-level highlights, gel manicures, and Botox in their Timonium medi-spa. Standout Staffer: Mona Lindbloom, one of the first aestheticians to be licensed in the state of Maryland 40 years ago, has experience to spare. Salon Buzz:
“I’ve had skin treatments in London and France,” says Federal Hill
resident Willi Bickford, “and About Faces has some of the best people in
the world.” Crowning Glory: Named Top 200 Salon by Salon Today magazine; great retail space with Jane Iredale mineral makeup.

Alpha Studio: An Aveda Concept Salon

817 S. Bond Street
410-327-1300

Roots: A green, full-service Aveda concept salon,
Alpha Studio manages to have a cool, laidback feel while also being dead
serious about promoting the values of damage-free hair through organic
and eco-friendly concepts. Services: The studio offers
both hair and skincare services, such as full color and virgin tint,
hair-damage remedy treatments, makeup lessons, and irritation-free green
science facials. Standout Staffer: Owner and New York Fashion Week veteran Reuben Kroiz is known for his crackerjack corrective color work. Salon Buzz:
“Everyone at Alpha puts the client first,” says Hampden resident
Eleanor Lewis. “They listen and work with you to make sure you are
satisfied and are never defensive if there is something you would like
to change. Their goal is to make sure you have a great experience.” Crowning Glory: All haircuts include a complimentary nirvana-inducing scalp, neck, and shoulder massage.

Balance the Salon

409 W. Cold Spring Lane
410-366-6169

Roots: Long before it became a buzz word, this
socially conscious salon has always been all about “community”—from the
intimate space itself (which doubles as an art gallery for local
artists) to the customer service (at the height of the recession in
2009, owner Matt Kone offered half-price hair cuts to existing clients).
Add to that the fact that Kone and his staff use responsibly sourced
products (from hair color to coffee), and a visit to Balance will make
you feel beautiful inside and out. Services: It’s all about hair, from men’s and women’s cuts to two-process tints and hair repair. Standout Staffer: Ken Wong, who once doubled as a yoga teacher, is known for his wow-worthy cuts and calming presence. Salon Buzz:
“I am comfortable here,” says customer Alexander Baer. “There is less
noise and less show. It is not the Flavor-of-the-Month Club.” Crowning Glory:
Kone gives more than wall space to area talent—for every piece of art
sold, 80 percent of commissions go directly to the artists.

Chop Shop

4321 Harford Road
410-426-2300

Roots: Owner Lisa Hawks got her start doing hair in
the dining room of her Hamilton home, seeing an average of 25 clients a
weekend. About four years ago, she opened up her own storefront salon
three doors down, maintaining that same neighborhood feel with lots of
personal touches—serving Natty Boh, Bota Box wine, Zeke’s Coffee, and
even homemade meals by Hawks herself. Services: With a
staff of three hair stylists, the salon offers the usual hair services,
but shies away from chemical alterations such as perms and relaxers and
uses the lowest amount of ammonia possible for color. Standout Staffer:
Former teacher Shannon Bailey-Puller took the lead from her husband
(owner of Blue Spark Barbershop) and now specializes in precision hair
cutting. Salon Buzz: “Lisa tames my mane and supports
my right to let my gray come in,” says Hamilton resident Liz Smith.
“Whenever I decide it has to be covered, she obliges with a fantastic
color job.” Crowning Glory: The salon hosts special
events such as bridal parties and classes on blow-drying and features a
fully operating movie theater upstairs.

Corbin Salon

1422 Clarkview Road
410-494-8888

Roots: Ladies who lunch, power brokers, and some of
Baltimore’s best-tressed all flock to one-name wonder Corbin (whose last
name, for the record, is Grinage) and his cohorts for lavish layers,
sexy blowouts, and only-your-stylist-knows-for-sure color. While it can
be a tad pretentious and pricey (a cut with Corbin will set you back
$100), there are those who consider him a local hair deity. The décor is
as sleek as the services—with Cherner-style chairs, Le
Corbusier-inspired sofas, and Eileen Gray chrome side tables. Services:
Corbin is where you go for cut, color, and texture treatments (from
Keratin to perms and conditioning). Manicure and threading services are
also available. Standout Staffer: Veteran stylist Michelle Sartori is one of Baltimore’s most sought-after color artists. Salon Buzz:
“Corbin’s has always had the reputation for being the best,” says
Cockeysville resident Lois Weinberg. “The salon is quiet and understated
and beautifully done. I love coming here.” Crowning Glory: Grinage studied under the late, great Vidal Sassoon in London.

Darrell Barrett Salon

69 W. Timonium Road, Timonium
410-560-5630

Roots: Allow us to gush. For starters, we love that
owner Darrell Barrett is a former University of Nevada, Las Vegas
pitcher (who also played in a Major League-affiliate scout league).

As a stylist, Barrett is still hitting home runs with a hair resume
that includes styling Las Vegas showgirls and a stint as director of
education at About Faces in Timonium. What’s more, the salon is one of
six flagship salons in the country carrying celebrity stylist Nick
Arrojo’s (of What Not to Wear) products. Services: Creative color, human hair extensions, eyelash extensions, and basic cut and color are on the menu. Standout Staffer: Tony Cola, who has worked Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week for designers such as Badgley Mischka, has major hair cred. Salon Buzz:
“I came here because I had heard about Darrell’s reputation, and I
wanted to try it,” says Bel Air resident Pam Selvy. “Now, my daughter
comes, too.” Crowning Glory: Barrett was the lead stylist for the Ravens cheerleaders (2004-2007).

Edge Evolution Hair Studio & Spa

1300 Bank Street, Ste. 110
410-327-3343

Roots: At Edge Evolution, you’ll not only love how
you look, but you’ll feel enlightened from the profusion of pink lotuses
and New Age aphorisms written on the walls: To wit: “In Buddhism, the
lotus’s life is a symbolic representation of the evolution of the soul.”
And that’s just the reception area. The rest of this hipster salon is
just as Zen, with recycled bamboo flooring and a rotating collection of
local art. Services:

A menu with lots of great options, including biweekly men’s cuts, nail repair, and hydrating/moisturizing hair treatments. Standout Staffer:
Katie Yurow, who specializes in micro-bead extensions, is a great go-to
stylist if you want to add instant length to your hair. Salon Buzz:
“[Owner] Suzette Pretty is the best hair stylist and colorist I’ve
encountered,” says Fells Point resident Cindy Plackmeyer. “Talented and
caring—everyone at the salon possesses these two traits.” Crowning Glory: With an easy-to-navigate website, clients can book their own appointments.

Elizabeth Jacob Spa & Salon

18821 Frederick Road, Parkton
410-357-0833

Roots: For more than eight years, Elizabeth Jacob Spa & Salon has served as a pampering retreat, nestled next to Gunpowder Falls. Services:
Aside from the serene setting, the spa-salon offers deep moisturizing
and well-water removal treatments, along with spa packages that include
makeovers catering to mothers (and moms-to-be) and quality time for
couples seeking massages, facials, and manicures. Standout Staffers: Kim
McGowan and Patty Weston have been with owner Lisa Pucci from virtually
the beginning (along with most of the staff) and, between the two of
them, have over 50 years’ experience in the industry. Salon Buzz:
“The reason I come back is not only because of its close location,”
says Parkton resident Lisa Gebhardt, “but also because they take the
time to learn about the clients and customize services to their needs.” Crowning Glory: It’s all in the family, with three generations (Pucci, her daughter, and mother) working side by side.

FX Studios

11270 Pepper Road, Hunt Valley
410-771-1500

Roots: Plenty of places give good haircuts, but
atmosphere is equally important, too. At FX, it’s all about the
“experience,” from the feature films in constant rotation (When Harry
Met Sally, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider) and gratis wine, beer, and Cold
Stone Creamery ice cream to the comfy waiting area with lots to
entertain us (no shortage of our favorite glossies). We especially love
the in-house beauty blog devoted to helping us tackle topics such as
“What massage is for me?” and “Why hydrate?” Services: FX caters to men (hot shave, man’s mani), but the salon-spa is good at girly stuff, too (organic facials, Keratin smoothing). Standout Staffer: Stylist Grace Hagert books two-to-three months in advance and is known for giving some of the most sought-after cuts in town. Salon Buzz: “The scalp massage is the highlight of my month,” says White Hall resident Peter Innis. Crowning Glory: Under Armour’s Kevin Plank and Raven’s center Matt Birk do their guy grooming here.

KCo Design Salon & Day Spa

6080 Falls Road
410-377-7727

Roots: While some salons specialize in color or have
one particular star on staff who keeps the whole place going, KCo can
take care of all your beauty needs (high-wattage cuts and color to
Reiki) and boasts a seasoned staff seemingly comprised of every great
stylist who bolted from another area salon. Services:
KCo has it all, from hair services to airbrush tanning and luscious body
treatments. Standout Staffers: Bet we can’t name just one: there’s
Quentin Harris, a former set stylist for Sex and the City; makeup artist
Jessica Lucente, who worked on the set of Real Housewives of D.C.; and
receptionist Kristine Brewer who recently auditioned for The Voice and
whose friendly attitude makes our day. Salon Buzz: “For
my hair, nails, and skin, I want the very best,” says Baltimore
resident Pamela Grant. “I have found that degree of excellence at KCo.” Crowning Glory:
Emmanuelle Chriqui (Entourage) is a client and CNN’s Carol Costello
gets camera-ready here; senior stylists Jimie Machiniak and Kenneth
Saenz (who also shows Westminster-winning Chihuahuas) worked
Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week 2012.

Laboratorie

735 Deepdene Road
410-435-0805

Roots: This relative newcomer to the Baltimore salon
scene is off to a great start, even getting global recognition as one
of six finalists worldwide in an eco-sustainable salon competition.
(Judges were, no doubt, impressed by the salon’s commitment to wind
energy, acacia flooring, and company-issued iPads for paperless
scheduling.) But beyond the loving approach to Mother Earth, this
modern, minimalist space lives up to its name. Explains owner Bethany
Magliacane, “Laboratories are places of progress, creativity,
experimentation, and invention.” One visit for cut and color, and you’ll
know what she means. Services: Salon basics—and then some, including special-occasion styling and amino-fusion smoothing treatments. Standout Staffer: Stylist Rebecca Dorsey, a former photography student, deftly applies color theory to your hair. Salon Buzz:
“They know what they are doing,” says Baltimore resident Lindsay Hite.
“They get it. They are up on trends, and I don’t feel like I am going to
my mom’s salon.” Crowning Glory: Named one of the top 100 salons in the United States by Elle (2011, 2012).

Lluminaire Salon

15 W. Allegheny Avenue, Towson
410-583-1500

Roots: With its white orchids and wenge woods,
Lluminaire is like a New York salon minus the total ’tude. Owners Dean
Krapf and Mario Rentuma are legends in Baltimore among visiting celebs
(recent glitterati include Veep’s Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Game Change’s
Ed Harris) and well-heeled types. But rather than rest on their laurels,
these über-talented stylists have continued to grow (nearly quadrupling
their staff in eight years), hiring a stable of protégés who also
contribute impeccable cuts, sleek blowouts, and multicultural hair. Services: Hair services fill most of the “book” here, but makeup lessons and applications are unparalleled. Standout Staffer:
Bethany Odahara’s creative color technique is to dye for. Buzz:
“They’re the most professional salon I’ve ever dealt with,” says
Baltimore resident Ray Mitchener. “It’s so silly for anyone to consider
going to New York when you have this talent here.” Crowning Glory: Krapf styled the model for a fashion shoot that took home the gold award at the 2011 Addy’s.

M Salon

1131 S. Charles Street
410-685-0089

Roots: From the beginning, the oh-so-chic M Salon
has focused on one thing—great hair. Catering to a diverse crowd—from
corporate executives to young, trendier city types—the staff, including
owner Marion Lambropoulos, has just as much personal style as the décor
(which includes Philippe Starck Ghost chairs and fashion shows in
rotation on several plasma-screen TVs). Services: They
offer a complete list of hair happenings, from the latest coloring
techniques to hair exfoliation and extensions, perms, and straightening.
Standout Staffer: Stylist Christopher McKean has a
reputation for continuing education—his hair C.V. includes training in
New York by Milbon-Liscio for Japanese straightening techniques and Feng
Shui cutting classes at the Goldwell Academy. Salon Buzz:
“I really like the modern and urban feel,” says Laura Shucosky, a
Federal Hill resident. “They are really accommodating, and the salon has
a great vibe.” Crowing Glory: The salon’s roster includes
Schwarzkopf-certified International Master Colorists, a Toni & Guy
educator, and Surface Hair Natural Straightening system and So.Cap.
Hair-extension certified specialists, just to name a few.

Mt. Washington Spa

1600 Kelly Avenue
410-664-3400

Roots: For anyone who still insists on hightailing
it New York for a haircut, we can save you the train fare. NYC stylist
Hubert Cartier and his traveling team (even the shampooer is a Big Apple
import!) from the famed Frédéric Fekkai make a monthly pilgrimage to
Mt. Washington to tend to your tendrils. One word of warning: what you
save on Amtrak, you will pay for their services—a heady $500-plus for a
color and cut. (If blowing your annual beauty budget on a single service
isn’t your thing, the spa has two other great Baltimore-based
stylists.) The other big draw here is the spa services, from
super-firming facials to waxing for nearly every part of the body. Services: One word: spa-tacular (think Swedish massage and apple-wine peels). Standout Staffer: Former nurse Natasha Stojanovic has made a name for herself with her medical approach to skin care. Salon Buzz: “My entire family loves [owner] Vesna Stojanovic’s waxing,” says Roland Park resident Pam Loeb. “Her wax doesn’t hurt.” Crowning Glory: Vesna’s five-minute Brazilian wax job has been clocked as the fastest in Baltimore.

Privé Salon & Spa

1200 Steuart Street
443-388-8170

Roots: Johnna Magliano and Jennifer Klein combined
their many years of experience at notable Baltimore salons before
opening this shop in trendy Silo Point that is as fun, fresh, and
fabulous as they are. Services: The main floor offers
hair services such as scalp treatments, all-over color and highlighting,
as well as defrizzing, straightening, and hair-extensions. The
second-floor spa area focuses on facials, waxing, and spray tanning. Standout Staffer: Seasoned stylist Chas Kuhn recently left his Ritz-Carlton Residence salon and joined Privé’s talented team of stylists. Salon Buzz:
“This place is aesthetically pleasing and has a fun vibe with upbeat
music,” says Federal Hill resident Mike Lopez. “I’ve been going to
[stylist] Nicole Burke for years. She is personable and always finds
time to fit me in.” Crowning Glory: With about 90
percent of their clientele getting color-treatments (particularly
blonde), all stylists are trained in the Schwarzkopf Blondme technique,
which produces a purer platinum tone with less damage to follicles.

Salon Laurie

5910 Falls Road
410-464-1500

Roots: Salon Laurie takes a refreshing team approach
to styling—which means you can comfortably book an appointment with
anyone to suit your schedule without suffering the sharp-as-shears glare
of the stylist standing by the neighboring chair. The pampering and
friendly atmosphere, in combination with face-flattering cuts and color
(ombré anyone?) and over-the-top spa services have Greenspring Valley
girls, corporate types, and stay-at-home moms alike hotfooting it to
Laurie. Added bonus: The salon offers great retail—from jewelry to leather handbags to hair accessories. Services:
Hair essentials plus an alluring assortment of treatments, including
Shellatsu massage, aromatherapy, men’s hand detailing, and a
pumpkin-peel facial. Standout Staffer: Ashlee Schmidt specializes in red-carpet-ready, bombshell blonde highlights. Salon Buzz: “There isn’t a service that they provide that I don’t love,” says Ruxton resident Judy Wright. Crowning Glory:
Honored for “Best Business Practices” by Salon Today magazine (2010,
2011, 2012); named one of the fastest-growing salons in North America by
Salon Today (2008, 2009).

Salon Method

7705 Bellona Avenue, Ruxton
443-841-7124

Roots: Open since March 2012 in the heart of Ruxton,
Salon Method is a freshman on the Baltimore County salon scene, but by
no means new at what they do. Owners Joanne Mandato and Dorie Delgado
Polakoff have been having their way with hair since they first met at
Studio 1612 in 1998 and then worked together at Kobi. The stylists now
have opened this intimate boutique salon (with a total staff of five)
that’s all about hair and cool, clean, modern décor (black leather, red
pillows, hardwood floors). Services: Method has every
hair service under the sun, including hair-smoothing treatments,
dimensional color, corrective color, and glaze. Standout Staffer: Mandato worked for Milanese color company Framesi for 15 years and can color you beautiful. Salon Buzz:
“Joanne is great,” says WJZ-TV reporter Mike Schuh. “Before coming to
Jo, I had a series of horrible haircuts. I looked completely different
from week to week. Jo manages to keep me looking as good as possible.” Crowning Glory: The salon keeps it current with a Facebook page featuring hair tips and trends and a great line of products.

Scene 217

217 Albemarle Street
410-244-0647

Roots: At 217, owner Debbie Ingrao and team really
know how to make clients feel at home away from home. The intimate
atmosphere, along with discount incentives when you bring in a friend,
Little Italy restaurant recommendations, girls’ nights out, and fun
yearly events like “Beach Day” (a cookout to kick off summer), make this
a salon standout. Services: For such a small salon,
they offer a bit of everything, from hair work and facial waxing to
bridal up-dos and makeup (in-house and off-site). Standout Staffers:
Katya Marina is known to have “magic hands” at the shampoo sink; stylist
Ceriffa Monn is the only certified J Beverly Hills educator in
Baltimore. Salon Buzz: “I feel like I’m going in to
talk to a group of girlfriends,” says Fallston resident, Ginny Milanicz.
“It’s fun and festive. Debbie knows my hair, and we just click.” Crowning Glory:
Every year, to celebrate its anniversary, the salon hosts a
customer-appreciation happy hour and also participates in the Susan G.
Komen Race for the Cure as a team.

Spa in the Valley

118 Shawan Road, Cockeysville
410-771-0200

Roots: One step through the double glass doors, and
the world outside seems to fade away. (What kids? What job? What “To-Do”
list? ) Our only complaint is that the selection of superior services
(we can’t even count that high) makes it difficult to pick just one
treatment. Are we in the mood to slough away dry skin with a lavender
sugar scrub, enjoy a hot-stone face massage, or get purple extensions
for Ravens game day? Whatever we decide, we’ve never gone wrong here—or
at owner Debbie Nazelrod’s other location in White Marsh. Services: Alternative therapies such as acupuncture and chakra balancing round out a voluminous menu. Standout Staffer: Stylist Lisa Sautter (who manages the hair department) is known for mentoring up-and-coming stylists. Salon Buzz:
“Everyone is so attentive to what you need from the minute you walk in
the door,” says Baldwin resident Susan Wiley. “I wouldn’t go anywhere
else.” Crowning Glory: Voted one of America’s 200
fastest-growing companies by Smart CEO (2007-2009); Baltimore’s largest
women-owned business by the Baltimore Business Journal (2009); and one
of Modern Salon’s America’s Fastest-Growing Salons (2008, 2009).

Sprout: An Organic Salon

925 W. 36th Street
410-235-2269

Roots: When Sprout first opened in 2006, they were
way ahead of the green game—as one of the first organic salons in the
Baltimore area. Six years later, the salon is as green as ever—using
wind power to generate electricity, natural cleaning products,
earth-friendly products, and LED lighting—but a few other salons have
caught up. Still, as owner Alan Kolb points out, “going green is not a
trade-off for giving great haircuts.” In the heart of Hampden, the salon
tends to attract musician/artist types craving pink Mohawks, but it
also draws a corps of T. Rowe Price employees who opt for more
boardroom-friendly looks. Services: Cuts as well as organic, chemical-free color, hair extensions, and shine treatments. Standout Staffer: Cliff Butler gives trendsetting cuts and color. Salon Buzz:
“People ask me why I drive down here all the way from Pennsylvania,”
says Chambersburg, PA, resident Stephanie Frey. “I’ll go anywhere for a
great haircut.” Crowning Glory: Named one of the top salons in the U.S. by Elle in 2009 and 2010.

Studio 921 Salon & Day Spa

921 E. Fort Avenue, Ste. 108
410-783-7727

Roots: Owners Judy Kelly and Colleen Smith founded
Studio 921 Salon & Day Spa almost a decade ago in the historic
Foundry building of Locust Point. At the time, neither had any
experience in the hair or beauty industry and opened up with a small
staff that has now ballooned to more than 40 (including hair stylists,
manicurists, and physicians). They’ve learned on the job and learned
well. Services: An extensive menu including Thermafuse hair-smoothing treatments, tag-teaming massage therapy, and chemical peels. Standout Staffer:
Angel Ratliff, hair stylist and certified Keune color regional artisan
trainer, also has a special knack for bridal and wedding up-dos. Salon Buzz:
“We’ve seen just about everyone here,” says Baltimore resident April
Austin. “We love it; my husband and daughter come here, too. We make it a
family affair.” Crowning Glory: Never worry about
running late for an appointment, as this is one city salon in which
parking abounds. The salon also offers an Elite Gift Card Program, where
VIPs pay $1,200 for $1,500 worth of (selected) services.

Studio 1612

1501-A Sulgrave Avenue
410-664-3010

Roots: Salon 1612 owner Judy Weidel got her start
cutting her friends’ hair in the middle-school bathroom at Immaculate
Heart of Mary. Several decades later, she and co-owner Karen Bialozynski
have maintained that air of friendliness toward their customers, doling
out kindness with every cut—whether it’s giving free wig services to
cancer survivors who aren’t even clients or making pro-bono house calls
to their more senior customers. And with 28 stylists on staff—including
young hipsters, twentysomethings, and hair careerists—there’s always
someone who can do any type of ’do, from blunt cuts to up-to-the-minute
lobs with a slick of orange or a slash of blue. Services: Hair takes center stage with Brazilian straightening, cellophanes, and color refreshers. Standout Staffer: Head to veteran Rhonda Murtaugh for face-framing cuts. Salon Buzz:
“This place has a nice atmosphere,” says Baltimore resident Rowena
Mejia. “Everyone is extremely friendly. I love coming here.” Crowning Glory: Stylists have all gone through 1612’s demanding hair apprenticeship, so all-important cut and color consistency is guaranteed.

Thomas’ Hair Salon

4832 Butler Road, Glyndon
410-526-4242

Roots: This full-service salon in historic Glyndon
is one of Baltimore’s best-kept secrets. Founded 27 years ago, the
low-key salon delivers high-wattage cuts and color, though we also love
that Thomas’ is all about keeping it fresh. Owner Sharon Gardner and her
crew of 13 stylists stay current by taking classes at J Beverly Hills
Advanced Academy in L.A. Services: For a small salon,
Thomas’ offers an impressive array of services, including
formaldehyde-free straightening, chemo wigs, and event makeup. Standout Staffer: After 22 years, Margie Devan can do long layers, sexy shags, or close crops. Salon Buzz:
“Sharon cuts my hair so well,” says Owings Mills resident Barb Rebele.
“It has become a joke that wherever I go people say, ‘Where do you get
your hair cut?’ Standing on the side of a pool in Virginia once, a woman
asked me for Sharon’s number.” Crowning Glory: Thanks
to continuing ed with hair tamer Juan Juan (celebrity clients include
Scarlett Johansson and Miley Cyrus), stylists can make you feel like a
star.

Uno, the Salon

10751 Falls Road, Ste. 106, Lutherville-Timonium
410-821-9080

Roots: While some salons have everything from Botox
to Reiki on the menu, hair care is the mane event at Uno. Owner Uno
Tuluoglu and his experienced staff keep it simple by delivering the most
fashion-forward, up-to-the-minute ’dos and color work. And if anyone
thinks we Baltimoreans only know about “Hon hair,” guess again. Uno has
been garnering major national press attention (see “Crowning Glory”
below) for his bold work, putting Baltimore on the hair map alongside
other major cities. Services: Hair is the focus, though
Uno’s longtime nail techs Nida Mindel and Luba Sokolov give some of the
most silken and longest-lasting mani-pedis around. Standout Staffer: New staffer Eunhee Kim is a fantastic addition and is known for her serious scissor skills. Salon Buzz:
“Uno is brilliant,” says Pikesville resident Kathy Shapiro. “He is in a
class by himself. He is an artist, through and through, and I never
have to tell him what to do.” Crowning Glory: Elle’s “Top 100 Salons” (2011 and 2012).

Visual Changes Salon & Spa

8529 Baltimore National Pike
Ellicott City, 410-461-2421

Roots: Ed McGee opened Visual Changes 28 years ago
on Baltimore National Pike in Howard County. Now co-owned by Ed’s
daughter Sarah, the salon has moved across the street, tripled in size,
and is one of the area’s few full-service green salons and spas. Services:
Visual Changes is an Aveda concept salon (translation: it smells like a
spring day instead of a chemistry lab), using all Aveda hair products
along with the line’s Pure Pigment Color. The spa offers 60-minute
pedicures, customized scalp massages, and natural vegetable spray
tanning. Standout Staffer: Starting with the company as a shampoo tech when she was 17, stylist Lisa Weems has 22 years under her apron. Salon Buzz:
“I came to them post-chemo,” says Columbia resident Joan Clark. “The
color and texture [of my hair] were just not the same. They went out of
their way to help me feel beautiful again.” Crowning Glory: Known for being highly involved in the community by raising money for breast-cancer awareness as well as MatterOfTrust.org.

Half-Up Top Knot

1. Comb hair back and pull half up in a scrunchie*, loosely breaking up bumps.
2. Make a loop out of ponytail, twist and pin down.
3. Twist and pin down loose ends.
4. Use a second mirror to look at the back, pin down any loose ends.
5. Spray hairspray on a fine tooth comb and comb hair back to get rid of fuzz or bumps.

*Don’t use elastic hair tie—can even be made from old tights!

Beach Waves

1. Spray crown of head with hairspray.
2. Take a small section of hair and spray it with hairspray to “laminate.”
3. Using 1.5-inch curler, wrap entire strand around (including tail) and curl into lip.
4. Hold curler on hair for 30 seconds.
5. Be gentle as you take hair out of curler, releasing the lip a bit as you go.
6. Alternate sections by using hairspray on some and none on others for natural look.
7. Don’t be afraid to comb and curl out and redo if you’re not happy with it.
8. Once all sections are curled, pull hair back, lift up, and hairspray a bit inside hair.
9. Take hands and shake curls from the scalp.

Low Bun

1. Divide the hair into sections.
2. In middle section, twist hair around three middle fingers and secure down with pins to create base.
3. Wrap section by section, using three fingers, around base and secure with pins.
4. Alternate wrapping both over and under bun.
5. Hairspray from high angle to create a looser look.

Baltimore Beehive

1. Divide hair into three main sections.
2. Leave two sections out in the front of your ears.
3. Spray the hair with hairspray from afar.
4. Take smaller sections of remaining hair and start backcombing*, spraying as you go.
5. Layer by layer, make big loops, pinning them each into the teased hair.
6. Form a giant base.
7. Take front sections, tuck behind ears, and pin into base.
8. Finish off with hairspray from afar, all over hair.
9. In order to get beehive out, let water run on teased area for a while, then apply a lot of conditioner.

Read more about Baltimore’s best salons in our January issue, on newsstands now.