'Blow Dry Bars' Heat Up the Style Scene

GALTime.com

By Jessica Conway, GalTime.com Associate Producer

Blow Dry Bars
Blow Dry Bars

Who doesn't love a great professional blowout? Unfortunately, heading to the hair salon can set you back a pretty penny, and DIY isn't always easy. Thankfully, blow dry bars have come to the rescue! These cutless, colorless hair salons are popping up all over the country, many with "menus" of A-list worth styles to choose from. Drybar was one of the first to "blow" onto the scene. Their goal is to offer top-notch service to their customers in a chic setting - you can even watch a chick flick in the process! Alli Webb, President and Co-Founder of Drybar, gives us the scoop on everything from the secret to her salon's success to drying your strands like a pro.

Blow dry bars are hot right now! What should you look for when choosing one? Customer satisfaction is key. At Drybar, we work effortlessly to ensure over-the-top customer service and amazing hair, and go to great lengths to train and maintain our staff.

(PS: GalTime also recommends looking at any pictures that the salon has on hand (many will have a book/menu of styles offered), reading reviews online, and even talking to a potential stylist beforehand to make sure you're on the same wavelength.)

Related: Speed Up Your Blowout!


Blow Dry Bars
Blow Dry Bars
Blow Dry Bars
Blow Dry Bars

The CosmoTai (left) and Manhattan (right), both offered at Drybar




What is the cost of a blow dry at Drybar? Is there a price range depending on style?We always charge a flat fee of $40 - we never up charge. No matter what type or length of hair you have, whether we use a flat or curling iron, the price is always the same!

(PS: GalTime did a little bit of research, and most of these specialized salons charge $35-$45, although we did find a couple that charge upwards of $60 for longer hair. Also, some salons charge a la carte for things like braids, scalp massage, curls, and flat ironed strands.)

When is Drybar the busiest? Is there a "better" time than others get a blow dry? Of course, Thursday, Friday and Saturday are always bananas! We have a lot of women who start their work week off by coming into one of our shops on Sunday or Monday, so they can start their week off with great hair.

How can readers get the most out of their blowout, or make it last the longest? Sleep on a satin pillow case and use dry shampoo. Sometimes, just redoing your bangs or fringe can also freshen up a blowdry and make all the difference.

Related: The "No Shampoo" Movement

Do you have some tips on how to achieve a sleek and salon-worthy blow dry at home?

1. Make sure your hair is super clean before you start drying.

2. Know the style you are trying to achieve before you start drying - plan out how you want the finished product to appear.

3. Choose the proper product for your hair type - the wrong product could ruin a great blowout.

4. Start your blowout in the front of your hair, especially if you have bangs.

5. Work in very clean, small sections, splitting your hair into at least 4 sections to dry and style.

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