Though Bloom Blow Dry Bar’s West Portal location may be out of the way for some people, the blowout that you’ll walk away with is worth the trek to this Southern suburb. Enter Bloom and you feel like you’ve walked into your wildly chic older sister’s house. The walls are white and soft grey, a mural of blooming pink flowers graces the entire back wall and everything feels clean, fresh and new. There are no lookbooks, instead salon-goers are invited to browse an iPad for the hairstyle they want. The iPad also has a selection of the most recent style and gossip magazines downloaded, so Bloom is doing their part to go green by reducing paper waste. Everything about Bloom is luxurious and precise. The Unite products are geared toward specific hair types and the stylists check out what kind of hair you have before they begin the choreographed blowout routine. The shampooing bowls are comfy; you won’t get a kink in your neck while the stylist is giving you a relaxing head massage during the hair wash. Back at your station, enjoy a frothy and delicious cappuccino while your hair gets done.
While San Francisco may not be known for its killer fashion sense, when it comes to beauty, the Bay Area brings its A-game. Well-known international brands like Benefit, Sephora and Bare Escentuals have their headquarters in San Francisco. Nail salons, day spas, makeup boutiques and barber shops are everywhere, with both luxury and affordable offerings in all of SF’s bustling neighborhoods, from West Portal to Cow Hollow. And one beauty trend that’s taken the city by storm? The blow dry bar. These wildly popular salons sell more than just a fun experience and polished locks. As Karen Hayes, owner of the East Bay’s Bounce Blow Dry Bars, puts it, “We’re in the business of empowering women. When you look good, you feel good, and you’re more inclined to do good.” Making the world a better place one blowout at a time? That’s something every savvy woman can get behind. Want to experience the blow dry bar trend first hand? Here are the top ten places to get a self-esteem boosting blowout in the Bay Area.