Spa On The Avenue A Salon by Debbie Spa

Came today for a lip wax and Amanda was great. Very nice and did a good job. The only reason I’m giving 4 stars instead of 5 is because she didn’t show me with a mirror the end result. But once I got in my car I saw she did a great job. Very fast too, I recommend her! She even put some Tea tree oil on after and I’m a huge fan of Tea tree oil!
Have to edit my review, waking up the next day I have 5 – 6 whiteheads on my lip. Ugh! This has never happened to me anywhere else! Now I’m not too sure if what she used was really tea tree oil or not.

Ever since they did my hair for my wedding in 2012 I haven’t been back and I’ve turned off alot of people wanting to try this Spa out.
I walked into the place I was getting ready at and my veil fell out and all my curles were flat. The woman who did my hair gave me a goldy lock curle and I asked her to put more in but not as tight. Well she didn’t like it so she started to rake my hair with the curling iron. I had 2 hair pieces and 6 bobby pins in my hair… my aunt patty ended up putting a Topsy turvey in my hair before the wedding. My hair looked horrible. I called the spa the day after to complain and all they gave me was my refund of 75 dollars to get my hair done. I have not been back since and I will never recommend this place. My whole family used to come there grandmom mom sisters friends… now they lost business from our whole family… and gained bad publicity.

I had the worst waxing experience! The girl rushed through it and kept waxing over the same areas, which ripped skin and gave me a scab. By the end of it, it looked like I had more of a bikini wax than a Brazilian. What angered me the most is the fact that they increased their prices when the quality of the service went down dramatically. I used to come here regularly every 6 weeks when Lisa was one of the estheticians — the price then was $ 76 and I always tipped her $ 20. Now it’s $ 82 but nothing new is added to the experience and service is terrible. So it’s not about the cost because I tip well for good service. Since then I’ve seen different girls every visit. This place can’t seem to keep good people and my recent experience solidified the fact that I’m never returning here again.

I’ve given this salon a few chances because it’s close to my house. My first experience was great. I had a manicure and pedicure with Tiffany and she was wonderful! The second time, I went in for a pedicure and the nail tech was awful. I now know to only return for nail services if Tiffany is available. Finally, today I went in for a waxing appointment. I left feeling disappointed and ended up having to fix my brows myself when I got home. My brows were uneven, and she missed quite a few stray hairs. Overall, the salon is decent, but the services are hit or miss.

First of all, I want to say that it seems like I got an off experience. The place was packed on a tuesday evening, and the other clients seem to be getting good services. Had I not been turned off by my experience, I probably would have returned to get my color maintained. Everybody else’s hair was looking great, with smiling hair talkative hairstylists.
I went in to get my hair straightened and styled. My hair stylist, was a man whose name I don’t remember. He was in a crazy rush. He maybe uttered 2 words to me throughout the process. He pointed me to the chair to get my hair washed, and some girl came and helped me. She finished my hair and then walked away, I figured out I was done and returned to his station without being told to. He came back, left the wet towel on my back and started blow drying my hair. Still didn’t say a word. I have really thick wavy hair so I know my hair is tedious to work with. He finished in about 20 minutes, flashed a mirror at me, and was ready to bolt. I had to ask him to put some hair spray on my hair because my ends were still flying left and right. All this time, is with the wet towel on my back. He sprayed some hair spray, patted my head, and ran away. Literally, ran away. I didn’t even have enough time to hand him a tip (which he probably didn’t deserve anyway). I had to unbutton the «cape» and take the towel off myself. Which is a first for me at a salon.
Yes, my hair was straightened. But not for long. My normal hairstylist does it both as a blowout and with a straightener, and this gentleman used a half-​combination of both. The style didn’t last till the next morning, and I still had to re-​straighten my hair anyways. For 30+, it was totally not worth it. It’s a shame, because everybody else seemed to leave happy from this location.

I have been here a few times. If for some reason I can’t get in with my usual massage therapist, I found a girl who is quite good and can usually squeeze me in. Much larger inside that it appears, they have areas for hair, makeup and all kinds of spa services in the back.
They set up the inside to be very serene and clean feeling, while also being very comfortable and classy. Very spa-​esque I’d say.
This particular time, they were able to squeeze in a friend and I who was dumped on by her hair and makeup artist the week before her wedding. The makeup artists were thorough and used the right colors to make us look our best. The hair stylists got us out the door on time, and the hair stayed where it belonged for the rest of the day.
The pictures were outstanding. :-)

They are nice but I went in for a facial for acne clearing and my face is so much worse than what I had before. Wasted $ 120 !!!

I would highly recommend this spa. I visit the Hunt Valley location with friends adn with family. I love that they have a soaking pool/​steam room/​sauna area you can use prior to your services for free (or solo for a fee). I have heard that the eucalyptus room is not always turned on first thing in the am (so you may want to call and verify) but I have never experienced this problem. This relaxation area is the only one I have ever found in the area. I have had facials and waxing services here. I love the atmosphere and have always found the spa courteous. I remember having waxing done by the owner Debbie, over 20 years ago when i was in my teens and she was working out of a tiny tiny room. I am so glad to see that her wonderful services have flourished into this elegant and relaxing spa.

I came in for a cut and highlights. I asked for long side swept bangs and showed my stylist a picture of Carrie Underwood. I was given short bangs. I asked for minimal lowlights, and was given A TON of low lights, which I do not prefer with loving my light blonde hair. $ 200 worth of mediocrity.

Go elsewhere for a shellac mani — got mine done on a Friday and by Wednesday it was already peeling. Way overpriced for that quality. I was disappointed.

3 strikes and you’re out!
As a follow up to my first visit to Spa on the Avenue, I did take the chance of going back for a massage and a wax about a month later.
When I booked my second appointment, the receptionist booked me for the wrong wax service. The esthetician was very sweet and did the wax I needed, not the one I was booked for. I also had the esthetician wax my eyebrows. I had indicated to her that I prefer to keep my eyebrows fuller and just clean up the edges. so, naturally, she hacked my eyebrows up with the wax and made them way too thin. Of course, after doing one eyebrow, she showed me how she shaped them. I absolutely hated what she had done, but told her it was good. I mean, what was I going to do, walk around with my eyebrows looking oddly different from one another? I was stuck with too-​thin eyebrows until they filled in again. Following the wax, I had a massage which, I’ll admit, was awesome! However, the massage had to be cut short because the wax I needed took much longer than the wax they scheduled.
So. Salon on the Avenue was kinda back in my good graces. so. I decided to try the Salon on the Boulevard and booked a mani-​pedi for there.
I arrived early for my appointment time and was told the nail technician was running 30 minutes late. Yet again, the spa was overbooked and services were taking longer than what they were scheduled for. Instead of waiting around and getting even more irate, I had receptionist just cancel my appointment, so I wouldn’t be propogating the lateness to later clients.
I have no idea why these things keep happening to me at the Debbie spas. They must have me flagged as a «problem» customer or a bad tipper or something (and I assure you, I am NOT a bad tipper when what I get is worth tipping for). I work my butt off to reward and pamper myself, and as a professional 30-​something, I do not deserve to be shuffled around and treated like crap. I can think of 1,000 other things I would spend my disposable income on rather than any services at these spas.
So just to recap: on my first visit to the Spa on the Avenue, I was subjected to an employees children running around the waiting room, screaming and stepping on my feet. That’s so relaxing. On my second visit, I was booked for an incorrect service, which caused another service to be cut short. Major scheduling issue there. On my third visit to Spa at the Boulevard, the spa was so backed up that there was no point in even trying. Again, another major scheduling issue there. That’s three. count ‘em, three snafus that I’ve been subject to. I deserve better treatment and service, and I’m sure I can find it elsewhere.

Went for the first time today on a recommendation. I wanted to cut 6in of my hair and totally have a new style which is pretty bold for never visiting this salon. I was in and out in under an hour and I love my cut.
She did exactly what I asked for as well as making suggestions… what every person needs since we are not the experts.
Stevie was great and I will continue to go back. Wasn’t as pricy or cheaper than some of the other salons I have visited, but they were worth every penny.

I walk into get a relaxer…$ 250 later…
This place is expensive. Granted, it’s probably what you’d pay in DC… but this is White Marsh.
I needed a relaxer, stat. So desperate was I, after my meal next door at Kobe, I stopped in here to see if they had a stylist who was experienced with relaxers. They had one, and I made an appointment for the next morning without asking such pesky questions such as cost.
I’m not used to hoity-​toity relaxers. A nicely applied Dark-​n-​Lovely works just as well as any other, as far as I’m concerned. But she used some new fangled relaxer I’d never seen. Trying so hard not to correct her through the process, I watched (and asked a bunch of questions) and feared for my hair.
Thankfully, my hair was still all there when I was rinsed out. As we were back at the stylist’s station, she started to blow dry my hair without cutting. I’ve seriously never heard of this. I wasn’t looking for a new style, but a trim to tame the ends. That wasn’t in the system, so she added it and trimmed my ends. Happyiness abounds.
So, I’m thrilled my hair is straight and my ends clipped. I go to pay. This is where my disgruntlement comes. My last relaxer experience at another salon, I paid $ 70. This time, I paid double for not what I consider double the experience. The other part of my bill was for Moroccan Oil products.
So, my main complaint is that this place is expensive for what it is and that the trim isn’t included in the price of the relaxer (WTF?).

I love Spa on the Ave! I’ve been coming here since they opened when my stylist moved here. It is a very stylish facility and they offer many great services besides hair care, from nails to waxing, massages to facials. Carol has been my stylist for over 11 years, and she is terrific! I alternate between full and partial foil highlights and the occasional trim, and the service is always efficient and friendly; Carol is practically part of the family now! The shampoo service is also very considerate, making sure the water temp is ok and that you are comfortable. The front desk is always prompt; they don’t leave you standing there feeling awkward like they do at some salons. You are greeted warmly and given clear instructions as to where to go until your stylist comes out to walk you back to their station. I always have an enjoyable experience here and look forward to each visit.

I’ve been going to Spa on the Avenue for a few years now–
I’ve been to 2 stylists. One was not really memorable, but I have been going to Karen for the last 4 years and simply adore her. She’s fun, creative and always willing to do what I want or offer some creative input when I am unsure. With her, my hair has been short, long and in between, blonde, red and brown and it always turns out fabulous.
The spa overall really doesn’t live up to it’s name. Once you get past the waiting area, it’s set up like a glorified Hair Cuttery with painted ceilings. Here you’re paying for the talent and not the atmosphere.
I’ve only had 1 mani/​pedi here and wasnt that thrilled.
If I could review Karen alone — it would be 5+ stars. The spa without considering Karen — 3 stars.

My first experience at Spa on the Avenue was terrible, but I decided to go back for my nieces’ first manicure and pedicure. I figured they are kids, the services aren’t complicated, and they are the only spa in the area. What could go wrong?
Once again, we received the most horrendous service. They took the girls back, put their feet in the tubs and then left them there for 25 minutes before returning. After working on their feet for about 10 minutes, they covered them with towels and then disappeared for ANOTHER 25 minutes. I went to the front desk to see if they could help, to which I received the response «I am not sure what you want me to do about it.» I then tried to find someone — anyone else — who worked there. Finally, I approached two women, asked if they worked there, to the response «Yeah, why?» As soon as I mentioned the long delay, the two technicians suddenly reappeared from their break room and went back to work.
On to the manicures… during the manicure, our technician was informed that her 5:00pm appt was here and getting angry — as it was now 5:30pm. From that point on, both technicians complained throughout the manicure about «these little girls getting pedicures and french manicures and designs and how is she supposed to be on time?» (Forgetting of course the 50 minutes she left them sitting at the pedicure station).
I said nothing throughout, hoping to fake a good time for my nieces. However, when we left, and I asked them if they had a good time, their response was «Well I didn’t really like the ladies, they complained ALOT and left ALOT.»
My special treat for the girls’ birthday was ruined by the continued poor service delivered by Spa on the Avenue. Unfortunately, they are basically the only spa in the area and seem to feel good service is not necessary.
ONE ADDITION: I just called to complain — which I have never in my life called a business to complain — and the manager told me all the reasons why my complaints were invalid and that she couldn’t do anything about it and would leave a note for someone else. «I’m sorry» was never said.

I’ve used Christopher for years for my hair cuts and dye jobs (which he is absolutely fabulous at), but this time I used him for an updo for my bridal shoot. He was quick and my hair turned out (of course) FABULOUS :) I also had my makeup done (I can’t remember her name) but she did a wonderful job as well and was relatively quick even though she was a few minutes late coming off of her lunch break for my appointment time. Overall though, my services have always been great at Spa on the Avenue, and I’ll continue to use Christopher every time I visit Baltimore.

I visited this salon for the first time in late June to get waxed for a trip to the beach. I went with a friend so we could catch up and ‘spa’ together. Both she and I have had MANY spa services over the years.
I found the front desk staff to be apathetic and not helpful at best, rude at worst. This is supposed to be a DAY SPA. Where I feel like a queen when I walk through the door, right? It was just so-​so. No one offered me a drink, they didn’t ask if I’d visited before, no friendly welcome, etc. The younger girl SAW me walk through the door and wait in line and seemed surprised when I said I was checking in for a service.
The gal that waxed me was great… I’ll say that. Did a pretty good job. But when I went back up front to pay and leave the tip, the girl acted all put out that I didn’t catch the name of my aesthetician. I walked up and she said «can I help you?» I said, uh, yeah I’m checking out. «Ok and who were you with?» Ok, seriously, does anyone really catch the name of the person that’s doing their service? I said, «I Don’t remember her name, I had a bikini wax.» She actually had the nerve to act PUT OUT that she had to look this up for me. Oh, and my service was good thanks.
I wish there were was some sort of magic phone app for everyone to see exactly how much I’ve really spent on spa treatments in my lifetime. I would just whip out my phone, type in the app and it would produce some ridiculous number like $ 12,187 and then I’d show it to them and say «Yeah, you’re not getting any of that after today. Thanks»
But alas, such a thing does not exist and they’ll probably never realize that they lost me as a client, because they never noticed me in the first place.

Every time I go I feel like a new woman when I leave! The girls at the front desk are warm and friendly. definately multi-​tasking! I personally love the massage and facials! It is amazing and the spa is beautiful. I also refer Kate to all of my bridal clients. She does beautiful lash extensions and waxing! Everyone raves about her! Sincerely, Nicole Palermo

Service was very pleasant here, I had my hair put up for a wedding, but I absolutely felt the price for having my shoulder length hair put up – $ 75 — was much too expensive. I have to spend that much in downtown San Francisco for a high level stylist. Having to spend that much in suburban Maryland doesn’t make any sense.
The interior of the spa is nice and they offer a wide range of day spa services. Their stylists are very pleasant, but the front desk crew could be better. They ignored our bride for a while and then interrupted someone else’s manicure to have her manicure fixed. I think it would’ve made more sense to have someone who wasn’t busy with a client do the job.