One of the many perks of being a fashion and beauty blogger is to be able to enjoy beauty services firsthand. I get invited to try out and review new launches both in the beauty and fashion industry before the general public. There are a handful of beauty services, namely Glam app, Glamsquad, Drybar and a few others that I've tried in the past, but today I am talking about two of my all-time faves: DRYBAR and GLAMSQUAD.
DRYBAR
Drybar is a California-based chain of salons that solely focus on providing you the best BLOWOUTS in town. Their mantra is to give you the best blowouts, which lays the foundation for any hairstyle or hairdo. They specialize in all kind of blowouts - straight, wavy, curly and hair updos. In addition to their unique service list, their decor is unique too and pretty standard across all the locations- think white and yellow. What makes this place even more desirable is that they open really early and serve beverages like coffee and tea and mimosas all day, sort of a mini bar. So you can have your hair done for work while sipping a cup of freshly brewed coffee on a weekday or mimosa on a weekend. Don't be surprised to see service names like Mai Tai, Straight up and Dirty Martini on the menu.
They use their in-house hair products and their yellow blowdryers are such an eye-candy. Their prices are pretty reasonable, ranging anywhere between $45-$90, depending on the service you choose. A simple wash and blowout costs $45, but for an additional $10 you can add a braid or a hair treatment for an additional $20. You can totally make a cocktail of their services and walk out happy and have your hair looking freshly-done for a good 4-5 days.
Drybar is usually busy, so making an appointment is highly advisable. They do accept walk-ins but it is very likely that there will be a slight wait.
GLAMSQUAD
Who doesn't like to be pampered right on your couch, in the comfort of your home? Well, I love it and if you are up for some beauty service at your doorstep, then glamsquad be it! Glamsqaud is an on-demand home beauty service, where you book your service- hair, makeup, up-do or even pedi-mani and the stylist comes to you, with all the tools and products, even mirrors and water tubs for pedicures. What they request for is just an electric-outlet and a table space to lay out their products. Rest all is theirs. Everything, including the payment is done through the app, so you don't have to worry about a thing.
How this works: you book an appointment ( date, time, even stylist ) for the desired service, the stylist comes to you, you don't have to do any pre-prep, unless it's a blowout where you are expected to shampoo fifteen minutes prior to you appointment time and skip shampooing overall if it's a hair up-do.
Since the stylist is pre-aware of what you are expecting, you don't have to explain nothing, unless you have a hair do and have ideas to run by your stylist. These are all experts in their industry and have been in the business for years. Glamsquad provides these stylist all the tools to work as freelancers and gives them the platform to connect with new potential clients. The prices are pretty descent, a blowout would cost you $55 and you can customize your package and get braids with blowout or add hair-extension service for an extra $25. They are a full-service beauty concierge, meaning you can get hair, makeup, nails, and even take makeup lessons.
Of the two, I enjoy Drybar more. Why?? Well, no matter how convenient an on-demand home-beauty service is, I enjoy being at a salon. The ambience, the stylists and someone else shampooing and messaging my hair- nothing can beat that!
Which one do you think you can get used to??
