Salon 514 in Baltimore: Specializing in Color and Textured Hair
Salon 514 is a nine-chair salon in Fells Point that focuses on color work and textured hair services, with stylists trained in balayage, natural hair braiding, and locs. It operates at a mid-range price point typical of Baltimore's neighborhood salons that position themselves above chains but below luxury downtown spots.
Services and Pricing
Color services dominate the menu. A single-process color runs $65 to $85 depending on length and hair density; balayage starts at $100 and can exceed $150 for longer or heavily textured hair. Haircuts are $50 to $65. Textured hair services include twist-outs, box braids, and loc maintenance; braiding runs $80 to $200 depending on size, length, and technique. Extensions, both sew-in and clip-in, are offered; prices start around $120 for consultation and application. Verify current pricing before booking, as salon prices typically shift seasonally and with material costs.
The salon uses professional color lines and maintains a stock of braid hair in multiple textures and lengths on-site, which means less wait time than at salons that special-order. Stylists are a mix of senior colorists with 10+ years and newer stylists who have completed certification in the salon's training program.
How It Compares to Other Baltimore Salons
Salon 514 occupies a middle ground. It is less expensive than salons like Drybar or high-end downtown color studios, which charge $150+ for balayage, but commands higher prices than Great Clips or SuperCuts. Its textured hair specialty distinguishes it from salons in the Inner Harbor or Canton that focus primarily on straight hair and commercial color; many neighborhood salons in Baltimore neglect balayage or refuse complex textured work altogether. For clients seeking color and textured hair services in the same location, Salon 514 eliminates the need to book two different stylists at two different salons, a common frustration in Baltimore where specialization is fragmented.
Compared to specialist textured-hair salons like those in the Gwynn Oak or Woodlawn areas, Salon 514 is more centrally located and offers blended services. However, salons dedicated entirely to natural hair may offer more advanced loc techniques or a deeper inventory of specialty products.
Who It Suits and Who It Does Not Suit
Salon 514 works well for clients doing their first balayage, those maintaining locs or braids, and anyone seeking a color refresh without traveling downtown. It suits people who want a single stylist who can handle both a cut and color work. It also serves clients building relationships with a stylist over time; the salon has a core group of returning clients who book 8-12 weeks out.
It is less suited to clients seeking cutting-edge editorial color work or ultra-luxury styling experiences. It is not the right fit for men's cuts only; while the salon does cut men's hair, it is not set up as a barbershop and does not offer hot-towel shaves or straight-razor work.
What the First Visit Involves
Book online or by phone; walk-ins are rare, especially for color or braiding. Arrive 10 minutes early to complete a intake form. If you are new to the salon, the stylist typically spends 15 to 20 minutes discussing goals, assessing hair condition, and setting expectations. For color, this includes a skin-tone and undertone conversation. For textured hair, the stylist examines density, curl pattern, and past treatments. Consultations are not charged separately, though complex work (new braids, first locs) sometimes incurs a small deposit applied to the final bill.
Most clients sit for color and cut in a single appointment; a balayage and cut typically runs 3 to 4 hours. Braiding can take 4 to 6 hours depending on the service.
Hours, Parking, and Logistics
Salon 514 is located in Fells Point at 514 South Ann Street. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.; it is closed Mondays. Street parking is available on Ann and along nearby blocks, though competition for spots is high during afternoon hours. A paid lot sits one block south. There is no dedicated salon parking.
The salon is accessible by the #10 bus and a 15-minute walk from the Broadway Market light-rail stop. Most clients drive or take a rideshare.
Salon 514 fills a specific need in Fells Point and central Baltimore: a walk-in-friendly neighborhood salon that combines color expertise with textured hair knowledge rather than forcing clients to split their business across two salons.
