Tenpachi in Baltimore, MD

Candis is the best. She has fantastic ideas about how to cut my hair and I get a lot of compliments now! She also does a great job teaching me how to style my hair. She gave me options: if you only have 2 minutes, do this. If you have 5 minutes, add this. If I ever move I'd still want to travel back for Candis to cut my hair.

SUMMARY: Inexpensive salon with variable experience.   2.5 stars. FULL STORY: Styled here, but never wanted their cuts or color.  Wouldn't recommend it based on what I've seen. THE PROS   -- Hours: Opens on (some?) weekends. -- Styling:  A couple of stylists here do decent hair. -- Price: I've seen delusion-level over charging in some other Baltimore salons. Tenpachi charges lower prices (for some stylists). -- Online booking: Convenient sometimes (but your appt might get randomly cancelled). THE CONS  :( -- Hygiene: The salon itself is dirty.  There is always hair from other clients stuck all over the styling stations, chair, floorboards, etc, even after sweeping.  As another reviewer mentioned, the tools never seem clean.  An older review mentions roaches in the bathroom - I was never brave enough to go in there. -- Safety: Eastern Ave is not a safe or pleasant destination -- I recommend going during the daylight hours only. -- (Lack of) Professionalism: Stylists are constantly gossiping about their clients... very uncomfortable to sit through - unprofessional.  I also had an appointment cancelled on very short notice by a stylist here months ago (not my regular stylist), which I thought was unprofessional and really put me in a bind for the next day.   -- Blowouts: They cannot do blowouts on thick hair like you get in NY or DC, i.e, very smooth with just a round-brush.  You pretty much have to get flat-ironed. -- Timing: I was once quoted "80 minutes" to do my blow-dry here.... which takes 35-40 min at every other salon.  The problem is that there are TONS of interruptions.  Stylists answering phones in the middle of your appointment, not having the station set up with what they need, etc, yet still being fussy and petty with any delay from clients.  On the last day I came here, my non-interrupted appt took only 45 min. There are other options! I ended up paying a little more for a safer, cleaner salon.

Love love love Candis! My hair is super odd - top layer is wavy/curly and bottom layer is almost stick straight, but Candis handles it like a pro. She has taught me so much about how to manage and style my hair; I learn something new every time I see her. When I first met her, my hair was long and straight from a straight perm because COVID and I didn't know how to manage my hair texture at all, but now I have the courage to go back to my natural texture since I know Candis has got my back. I also love that I can bounce my ideas and thoughts off her, and she'll somehow know exactly what I want. A few other things I noticed about this hair salon that I've never experienced anywhere else: - The first visit was a consultation where Candis asked me how I normally wear my hair, how my hair normally falls, what kinds of products I use, etc. I really felt like she was getting a well-rounded understanding of what I want so she can approach my hair with more insight. For someone who struggles with her hair texture, this was incredibly refreshing and unexpectedly necessary. - I really like the option to choose a stylist level. While I chose Candis who is an ambassador level, I wouldn't mind going to a more junior stylist if I just wanted a quick trim. - They have an online appointment system. Of course, you can also call to make an appointment.

Bri is amazing. I came in not sure of what I really wanted to do with my hair and she gave me a great suggestion and really took the time to analyze my hair to see what it needed. I love the color this is the most vibrant dye job I have ever gotten. 10/10 recommend!

Candis is wonderful! Every time I see her, she teaches me something new and valuable about how to take care of my fussy, wavy hair. She is very wise when it comes to advising on unique choices (undercut, blue highlights, bleaching, etc.). Plus she takes her time and is and wonderful to talk to. 10 out of 10, highly recommend!