We all want to find a hair salon that feels like an extension of our living rooms. Instead of feeling nervous about what might happen and how short we might go, we just want to relax with a cup of coffee and know we’re in good hands. At Define Hair, located in a suburb of Baltimore, confidence is a way of life.
We caught up with Jamie Wiley, Pureology artistic director and Level 5 artist at Define Hair, to hear about the anxiety-free experience that makes the salon a staple in the community and the newest addition to the salon’s business.
The Brand
Define Hair is the baby of one Jason Gribbin and his wife Rachel, who started the business two years ago with just eight chairs in a loft-style space. Wiley came on less than a year later, using her artistry to build the kind of clients that kept coming back for more. Short on space but big on ambition, Define opened a second location. Two doors down from the original studio, the stylists of Define Hair are working hair magic in a brand new space.
Today, the business boasts 22 chairs in total and a network of stylists who work together to ensure your appointment runs seamlessly.
“Think about a beehive right or a hive of bees—they all cannot survive without each other and that’s how our salon is run,” Wiley says. “It’s one team in one mission and it elevates the entire salon and the entire brand.”
The Location
When you book a Define Hair appointment, you’re in for a one-of-a-kind experience. The salon’s friendly, approachable vibe means you’re never left flipping through a magazine and fearing your next trim. Check-in happens on iPads, which link to apps on all the stylists’ phones, so your stylist gets the memo practically the second you walk in the door.
“It just takes the guessing out of it—it’s like the wave of the future,” Wiley says. “That’s the biggest thing that clients are looking for, right? They get bored. They want something new and different and they want to feel special. It’s a different, unique experience for the guests.”
The Services
Starting to get an idea why Define Hair is growing so fast? That seamless experience doesn’t end once you’re getting shampooed. The salon believes in transparent pricing, which means no more frantically trying to add up how much your highlights could theoretically cost.
“It’s just like going to a restaurant, you open a menu and you’re like, oh my god, there’s no prices,” Wiley explains. “You immediately are like, oh, I can’t order a burger because I don’t know! Let’s just order the salad. Because you immediately get anxious.”
The price is delivered right to you on an iPad...before you’ve made any decisions about your service that day, the stylist says.
“We literally break down, OK, your haircut is this, your hair color is this, your balayage is this. Does that sound good? They say yes? Amazing, I’m going to go mix up. If it’s not, then we’ll say OK, let’s take a step back. Maybe we’ll just do a top balayage or maybe we’ll just do face-framing highlights. What’s your budget? It’s always about the guest.”
At Define Hair, women’s cuts and style services range from $53 to $102, while men can expect to pay between $40 and $83. If hair color is a crucial part of any appointment for you, full balayage and ombre—including Olaplex/B3—will cost $143 and $190, while glosses or glazes run between $72 and $102.
Need hair extensions in a bad way? Define Hair has you covered with hand-tied custom extensions. Schedule a consultation for a price estimate! The business also offers waxing (starting at $14), skin treatments (starting at $75), and lashes (starting at $17).
The Products
Thinking of stocking up while you’re at Define Hair? They’ve got you covered. The business carries Redken, Pureology, IGK, and Kevin Murphy products as well as some skincare. Because each stylist has a bit of a niche, whether that’s barbering or vivids, they can confidently recommend their clients the best products to help maintain their new look.
The Details
Define Hair is located at 3419 Plum Tree Drive, Suite 101, in Ellicott City, MD. To book an appointment, visit www.defineofficial.com/reservations or call 410-696-1400. Follow the salon on Facebook and Instagram @definehairofficial.
