I want to preface this review by saying that I've been going to Fringe for the better part of two…read moreyears and have admired the work I've had done by multiple stylists. The front desk staff has been sweet and appointments are usually a great time! So if you're a new customer and/or a QTPOC like me trying to get a sense of what the vibe at Fringe is like, book with the folks who consistently get good reviews. They've earned all of their stars, and the whole salon does not deserve a tank in it's rating despite what the rest of this review will say about my experience with Laura S. _________________________________________________ Usually I book haircuts, but since I'm growing it out now, I booked a bang trim. I'd never been Laura's client prior to this booking. After you book online, Fringe sends an appointment form that asks your name, pronouns, even a drink preference. I filled it out and uploaded a picture of what I was looking for: curtain bangs that part in the middle to frame my face and blend into the rest of my haircut. I arrived early to my appointment, but I was shown to the stylist's chair immediately. I don't think that appointment form I filled out was looked at prior to my arrival because she said my name wrong and then asked me to pull up a picture of what I wanted. I wasn't even offered a drink. (Mind you, it was close to 100 degrees out and I had walked there, but whatever.) A few seconds of awkward small talk later, Laura starts cutting my bangs while carrying on a conversation with an employee. Before I knew it, my bangs were uneven. I asked her to try and fix this while I was still in her chair. When she showed me the mirror again, I decided not to let her touch my hair anymore since she seemed to think that I looked fine. I took the pic I attached to this review a few minutes after my appointment. Honestly, I'm embarrassed that I paid to look like I gave myself manic bangs with nail clippers at 3 AM. To make matters worse, this is what I'll be looking like when I meet my partner's family for the first time this weekend. Wish me and my bobby pins luck. There's nothing anyone can do for me or my hair at this point, I only want to leave this review about this experience because it was extremely unusual and disappointing. It seemed disrespectful to me and my time. If I ever go back again, I would not book with Laura.

I visited there about a month ago. They were very nice and patient on the phone and during a…read morevirtual consultation and answered my questions. I chose it because it had great reviews. Unfortunately, my experience at the salon and afterward was the opposite. When I got there, a medium-sized dog rushed up to me, barking. It scared me--I have a fear of dogs I don't know rushing up to me after being injured by one. I asked politely if they could restrain the dog because I have a fear of dogs. Everyone rolled their eyes like I was being unreasonable but they told the dog to go into a corner. After much coaxing and barking, the dog did. But he didn't stay there. Throughout my visit, the dog continued to bark loudly and continued to come over to me, sniff me, and make contact, and obviously I couldn't move away as they were dying my hair. Each time I had to ask them to remove him, and each time they baby-talked to him and acted as if he was being cute. Each time, it took several minutes to get him to move away. They never apologized or offered to place the dog in another space or find another solution. I have no idea why a dog had to be in the salon or in the main room. As the employee was working on me, the owner of the salon (my stylist told me she was the owner of both the salon and the dog) talked loudly and pointedly to her customer at the station a few feet away about how annoying leash laws and people who insist that dogs be leashed are. The work they did on my hair was also terrible. We'd agreed on dying a lock of my hair on the side of my head a certain color (basically a streak of color) and then dying the rest of my hair a more subtle shade of that color. When she finished, I saw that the stylist had died that side lock of hair a different shade than the one I'd showed her in several pictures during the consultation. She said, "I tried this other shade because I thought it would look better." I was disappointed, but I thought it didn't look too bad and I'd been there a long time and had to leave; I didn't have time to stay another couple hours for them to fix it. I thought I could get used to it, but I still wasn't very happy. When I left, no one asked me how my experience was, thanked me for coming, or asked me to come back. I thanked and tipped my stylist. I don't know if they used cheap products or in some other way did a bad job, but they told me the color should last for at least several months. The last time I had this same process done elsewhere, the color lasted over a year. But after 2 weeks, all the color except in the side lock of my hair with the more intense color had completely washed out. Now, a month later, even that streak of color is turning another color, fading, and washing out. It looks awful. I spent several hundred dollars--I was treating myself after a long illness. I chose Fringe because of the great reviews. I am really disappointed.

I was recommended by a friend who is a long time customer and truly cannot recommend enough! From…read morethe moment you enter you're greeted and spoken to so kindly! I showed Minya a few reference pictures, mentioned how my hair is in between a perm, and she said she got it and worked her magic. She checked in throughout the process for length, weight, and style. Blow dried and even had time to curl in less than an hour! The space has been updated since the pictures and is super modern/clean. 10/10 would go again. It's hard to find people who are willing and understand how to layer thick asian hair and she made me feel so comfortable. Also the prices are the best you can find in Baltimore! No serious up charges and upfront pricing.

Minya is the best. Offers a great professional cut & blowout at a fraction of the price as…read morecompetitors. Even without the price difference I would still go to her as she's incredibly talented. Highly recommend! Call in advance for appointment as she books up fast.

I went to Smoke + Mirrors after seeing a video on TikTok; I am so happy I did! The salon smells so…read morenice and the aesthetic is so soothing yet also vibrant due to all the lovely plants. Savannah explained to me what she was using and why while washing my hair, the scalp massage and hot towel was a delightful surprise. Emily from the start of the appointment to the end listened to what I wanted for my haircut and absolutely delivered. I'd give Emily more than five stars if I could; I've already told my sister she needs to make an appointment with Emily.

Haley is a wonderful stylist. She is talented and easy to work with. I have wavy hair with curls…read more She cut my hair perfectly and I left the salon feeling wonderful. Thank you Haley.

Love this place! Patrick did such an amazing job. He did exactly what I requested for my…read morehairstyle and even made it better. The ambiance of the place is so welcoming. Lots of great hairstylists to choose from. I highly recommend.

I love the atmosphere of the salon! Elsie cut my hair and I LOVE the result. I have medium wavy…read morehair that is easily weighed down, not the classic curly hair. She gave me a cut that allows my curls to flow in a free manner, easy to style. I'm very pleased!

I walked here during a snow storm that prevented me from driving to my usual salon. Nice enough…read morepeople, but that's not factoring into my review of their performance. Balance is probably great -- IF you have naturally straight hair. No good if you have literally any other texture hair. My thick, dense, curly hair was totally mishandled. I went home, showered out all the zillion little cut hairs left within my locks and on my shoulders, and then got a really good look at a really bad haircut. They made me look like an A-framed poodle having a stroke. When I went back to my usual salon I was told: "They gave you an expert haircut for somebody else -- somebody WITHOUT your hair!" Any wavy, curly, coily girls: spend your $100 elsewhere! And, lastly, let me give a preemptive no thank you: I don't need any snarky responses or a "Who, me??!" from the owners or employees of Balance who read this review. I literally do not care what they have to say in response and neither should you, curly girl fam!! xo

Great cut, nice ambiance, friendly and attentive staff. Matt really listens and is a skilled,…read morethoughtful, and reliable artist. I've been a client for several years and always love the result.

1st time here and I was a bit nervous! Lauren was…read morefantastic, she listened to what I wanted and did a fantastic job! She is super sweet and friendly! Highly recommend this salon!!

Outstanding- simply the best!! Wonderful people and service. Always a pleasure to go. Great…read morelocation as well.

Wow fantastic experience at Bella! Kristen styled my hair. She was very meticulous in the ways she…read moreevaluated my hair, gave her advice on how to cut, and did extensive layering. Took my opinions and how I felt about my hair into account as well. I have a lot of hair, and she made it feel weightless. She also helped my layers look more natural. Got a wonderful head massage and shampoo too before the cut. Will definitely come back!

I was so nervous to have my hair done because I had not had my hair done in over 2 years. Megan had…read moretalked me through how we were going to do my hair, and the finished result was even better than I had expected! I came out of the salon 10x more confident than when I walked in. I will be coming back here to do my hair from now on! The ladies were so nice, and even offered water and tea.

I researched a lot of salons in the city before I decided on who I wanted to go with. Ash + Oak was…read morethe front runner the entire time! Their salons are beautiful and full of great stylists! They give great descriptions of their stylists which definitely helped me with my choice. And there are so many great girls to choose from. Sam Eggleston (check her out on IG) did my hair and she was amazing! It was my first time EVER getting my hair colored and I was really nervous but she made me feel so comfortable and explained everything. And she freaking killed it! She's a junior stylist but you could never tell. This is their newer location, right on 36th St in Hampden. I would recommend trying to find the free parking on the side streets because the main street is all paid hourly parking, which isn't great for the longer color appointments. Go check this salon out!

Started coming here in the winter when my wonderful niece recommended it. Entire experience is…read moredelightful. I've never had to wait when I had an appointment which is a first for me at salons. And Hannah is fantastic - so easy to talk with, outstanding color and cut - Im a little sad when my appointment is over that we don't get to keep on talking. Although Hampden can be a tough drive, still one of my fave places in Bmore so a hair appointment means I get to check out some other fun spaces there. And did I mention that Oak + Ash offers you wine? #winning

Second curly cut & color with Lynnae. She's an incredible listener & teacher. I leave with a better…read moreunderstanding of my hair and how to care for it. She's brought out curls I didn't know I had. She's seriously an artist- sculpts your hair to frame your face perfectl.

I had the absolute pleasure of working with Caryn for two photo shoots, and she completely blew me…read moreaway both times. Her styling was flawless, creative, and exactly what I needed to feel confident in front of the camera. I'm usually very hesitant to let anyone trim my hair--but Caryn earned my trust, and I'm so glad she did. The trim was perfect. She's not only incredibly skilled, but also has a warm, caring personality that makes you feel instantly comfortable. Caryn listens, understands your vision, and brings it to life with precision and artistry. She gave my hair exactly what it needed, and I already know--I'm not going anywhere else. She's officially my new stylist! If you're in Baltimore and looking for someone who truly knows hair and cares deeply about her clients, Caryn at Drylands Salon is the one. Highly, highly recommend!

My balayage by Justin was absolute perfection. He's very careful and makes sure to do an awesome…read morejob. It was my favorite haircut/coloring ever. All the reviews about him are spot on. See him if you want to feel super pretty! As far as sanitation procedure goes: Flaunt takes it very seriously. Guests must wait outside until the stylist is ready. They get a temperature check and screening prior to entering and everyone wears a mask. Only two customers are allowed in at a time and everything is sanitized between customers. There was definitely lots of social distancing, except between you and the stylist during the session. I was also surprised by this, but I didn't have to move my mask once during the session. Justin was able to work around it.

Went to Lindsey to get a cut and consultation. She was wonderful and so kind! I'll be going back…read moreagain in April for extensions. The vibe in Flaunt is awesome!!!