It’s been one of those days. You wake up and you discover that even Albert Einstein had better hair days. Worse yet, nothing can calm the curly frizz that is your hair. Luckily, there’s a popular fad that may just be your hair’s saving grace: the blow bar.
Blow bars are popping up all over the country just for those days where you need someone professional to blow out your hair for a few days. But as with anything else, there are benefits and drawbacks to this new fad.
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What is a Blow Bar?
A blow bars (or blow dry bar) is a very specific type of hair salon where they only wash, blow dry and style hair. Not to be confused with anything sexual (when you do a search for your area, remember to include the word “hair”) blow bars aren’t just something in vogue. Rather, they are a way to accommodate your need to blow out your hair and have it professionally styled in a timely manner.
Although hair salons offer blow drying and washing at a lower cost, the quintessential blow bar usually only offers just that. No cutting, trimming, or coloring. This helps keep prices low for their customers, which is a saving grace for many, both for their hair and their wallets. Blow dry bars can also offer waxing, make up sessions, and complimentary food and beverages.
Benefits of a Blow Bar:
Blow bars can be great time savers. Instead of rolling out of bed the day of an important meeting with frazzled hair, you’ll have a style that lasts for several days, or as long as a regular blow dry. So if you have a couple of days of formal activities, this may be a great option for you.
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Aside from the duration of style, your health should always be taken into consideration. If you’re knowledgeable about hair dryers and straighteners, you know that when you blow out your hair, heat isn’t the best. That being said, so many people go to great lengths to get fabulously perfect hair that there are now a variety of products that help prevent heat damage to hair. It may not seem like a benefit, but it may be a good thing that a professional is touching your hair to give you the perfect look.
Drawbacks of a Blow Bar:
In spite of the great idea behind blow bars, many get mixed reviews. Some people complain about the uneven service for just a blowout. Your hair may enjoy the treatment, but other people think it’s too expensive for a simple blow dry and style. But Lauren Cory, a reputable hair stylist in Southern California says it best.
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“For someone who is getting [a blow dry and style] for a special occasion, it’s great,” says Cory. “But for somebody who gets their hair styled all the time, like weekly […] they’re so used to the person that does it the way they like it. It’s cool and different, but they aren’t used to what their getting.”
In this case, it comes to experience. If you blow out your hair regularly, it may suit your needs well. But for someone who goes weekly, that may be another story. Cory says many of her regular customers state that, “It was good, but it wasn’t as good for what they were expecting.”
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It comes down to this: if you’re looking for the occasional styling, a blow bar is a great and fun way to spend some time with a couple of your girlfriends. “It’s good to splurge once in a while,” says Cory. “And a blow dry bar is a great way of doing so. But if you’re looking for a professional to blow out your hair, a consistent quality of service, and you already have your hair styled on a regular basis by someone you trust, this may not be the best choice for you.”
Final Thoughts:
Aside from the good and bad aspects of a blow dry bar, there are a few things to keep in mind. It’s important to understand your own hair’s limitations and be sure to do your research. Ask your friends and look online for reviews of local blow bars. Like any salon, some are better than others. But if they come highly recommended, you’re more likely to get the beauty treatment and not fried ends. Happy blowing, curlies!
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