Why the Blow Dry Bar is Doomed
The blow dry bar fad has just about run its course, or at least that is the opinion of the Hair Police. The blow dry bar pigeonholes the art of hair, limiting the artistic imagination of stylists. For that and other reasons, the blow dry bar has received a major violation from the Hair Police.
Happy Monday gorgeous! I am happy to be back at my computer, hopefully entertaining and educating readers that love all things hair after a long week of TV production to better myself.
This Monday’s Ask the Pro Stylist Hair Police column is a reaction to the some of what transpired during the shoot. Now, I cannot detail the show, but I can say that I do not make enough money at what I am currently trying to undertake, therefore I need another job to support my family.
In my desperation to find a full time position, I applied to a popular blow dry bar. I did this knowing I wouldn’t get the job, however one should always try, because one really never knows unless you make an attempt. I also knew the blow dry bar is not looked upon favorably by professional and celebrity stylists, having interviewed and discussed with the group since the blow dry bar’s emergence.
Why did I know I wouldn’t get the job at the blow dry bar, and why do I feel that its existence is soon to be extinct? To begin, these franchises/corporations have taken the art out of hairdressing. They’ve established a menu of cookie-cutter styles and a technique all employees must follow. I was trained differently, and it shows in my style of work, which I have been at for 25+ years. There isn’t one correct technique of doing hair.
Styles and trends change, and the blow dry bar doesn’t flow as fast as the fads. Natural, tousled texture is in, which isn’t a coiffed look, blown dry look. It needs a blowout and added elements, but not what you would see in your typical blow dry bar.
The blow dry bar business model doesn’t flow in the world of hair, generating a cold environment that lacks creativity. Cuts and color are an integral part of a supreme blowout, and the blow dry bar misses the personal attention to detail that comes from a full salon service. It also limits the skills we worked so hard to acquire, i.e. precision cutting, texturizing, hair coloring, etc., which come from doing it all. Additionally, it decreases the frequency of regular clients from the full service salon because instead of going to their favorite stylist who cuts and/or colors, they will overspend at a blow dry bar when that revenue could go back into their local salon. At least this is my opinion, which wasn’t produced by rejection…it was there prior to the interview.
And to make matters worse, while on my way to the interview, I bragged that I could do a blowout with my eyes closed. Well, you’ll have to tune in to see what happens, but let’s just say I eat a little crow.
Until next Monday and a new Hair Police piece, similar to today’s write up on the soon-to-be-extinct blow dry bar, happy styling!
©Deirdre Haggerty, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this article may be reproduced without prior written permission and consent from the author.
A NY State licensed cosmetologist, Deirdre Haggerty has been actively involved in the hair and beauty industry on Long Island for over 25 years. Feel free to ask any question relating to hair care, beauty and skin care! Send Deirdre an email 
