Just Blo Me

Blo Blow Dry Bar is North America’s original blow dry bar where scissors are forbidden and the same thing goes for dye. It’s a no cut, no color concept (just WASH BLOW GO!) and it remains the largest blow dry bar chain in the world. And it’s already blo-in’ up in Austin.

Blo’s well defined “bar” concept and unique branding is totally catchy, you can’t help but love it. They’ve created a sub-culture with the use of their own blo-cabulary referring to clients as hair cadets and their stylists as bloers, to name a few, along with tongue-in-cheek hooks like, “just blo me” and “cause you can’t blo yourself”. The genius marketing even blo’s over to the names of their 7 different styles, like “Sex, Hugs and Rock & Roll” and is evident in their everyday; Hilary is not just their Brand PR girl, she’s a “Tress Fund Baby” and always signs off with cutesy phrases like “Crimps n’curls” and “Running in Heels”.

In writing this article, I definitely got a crash course on Blo Blow Dry Bar and I have to admit, I was at first skeptical, but the ladies of Blo in Austin have converted me to a future hair cadet. So, let’s get to know Athena and Alina, the fab ladies who own Austin’s very own Blo Blow Dry Bar through a little Q&A, and then take a cue from them on how to extend your blo out in this never-ending heat.

Visit Blo Blow Dry Bar and you’re guaranteed to get an amazing blo job by people who actually enjoy doing it; and don’t worry, you’re not cheating on your hairdresser.

Q&A

Britt: How and why did you decide to purchase this franchise?

Athena: All my friends in Vancouver were raving about it and the concept. (I’m originally from Vancouver, Canada, which is where Blo started in 2007). I’m incredibly hair impaired and could benefit from Blo’s services. I was patiently waiting for someone to open something similar in Austin, but my patience wore thin and I decided to bring it to Austin myself (with Alina of course). I approached Alina over margaritas and she was in instantly. She is also hair impaired and she hates how exhausting it is to blow-out her luscious and very full mane.

Alina: Done & Done, was an easy no brainer decision (kind of like deciding to get a blo out!) to go into the Blo biz with Athena! Blo is the greatest idea and creation EVER for every female! Athena & I are commonly referred to as the A team! We are two local Austinites who are dedicated to our customers and bloers. It is also important to us to partner with local Austin charities and other local businesses to help each other in any way we can- it’s the southern hospitality and trying to Keep Austin Weird that are key.

Britt: What are your backgrounds?

Athena: I’m mostly an avid traveler, but I also have my Masters in Teaching and enjoyed substituting for Eanes ISD for 3 years. Before that, I worked in the restaurant business (front and back of house…did the books/accounts for a couple of restaurants.) However, before bringing Blo to Austin, my primary job was a stay at home mom to my precious little girl Areia.

Alina: I came from the Fashion Industry, used to be a sales rep in LA selling clothing lines to stores all around the country! Moved to Austin 4 years ago to be close to my family as I have identical twin boys, took some more business courses while managing a kids clothing store & planned to become an entrepreneur! I heart fashion & hair! Luckily for me they go hand in hand, if you look good, you feel good and you are able to truly shine as every one of us should! Being a part of Blo is truly a match made in heaven! I am terrible at doing my own hair, [it] never looks anything like a good blow out from Blo when I do it myself at home…so I just don’t even try anymore & leave it to the pros to create my must-have “Hollywould” curls weekly!

Britt: Does Blo fill a gap in the Austin hair industry?

Athena: Definitely! Nobody enjoys booking far in advance for a blow-out and nobody likes paying $75 for a blow-out. Having Blo in our city offers all women/Austinites an affordable luxury and convenience that salons don’t provide. Also, because our focus is only on a great blow-out we do our jobs well and efficiently. We specialize in and have perfected the blow-out, which not all salons are able to do. Everyone wants a specialist because they do the job better…you wouldn’t want a dermatologist performing plastic surgery on you! Another thing that sets us apart from salons is a natural/chemical free environment…free of the smells that come with dye, and perms, and brazilian blow-outs…etc. Oh, and we’re free of drama. We work as a team and enjoy having fun in “bar”, yes we are a bar not a “salon”.

Alina: We also set ourselves apart from “salons” as we do “Blo on the Go”, or as we say “BOTG”, which is where we will come to do hair cadets’ hair anywhere they need us for a super affordable price! We can come to their home, work or on-set location! We do Blo Bridal for weddings in or out of bar too! If your hair looks good, you feel good and its a win-win situation for everyone. We are all about customer service, the fun experience and making sure our hair cadets are happy! Not to mention, we also have our uber fun Blo-cabulary! Hence the phrase “hair cadets” meaning our customers,”bloers” meaning employees!

Tips for Extending Your Blo Out In the Heat

step 1 To prevent weighed down locks, start with uber-clean hair. Use a purifying shampoo and only a dab of conditioner on the ends of your hair. Make sure you choose your products according to your hair type. For finer hair, use product sparingly, for thicker hair be more generous.

step 2 The key to a smooth mane is to make sure your hair is blown out completely dry and finished with a blast of cold air. Any moisture left in your hair will cause instant frizz. P.S. always use a shower cap when in the shower or bath!

step 3 A li’l backcombing around your crown goes a long way when it comes to extending your blo out. An extra tease will ensure that your blo out stays red carpet-ready for days.

step 4 Once styled, set your coif with a mist of Aerogel (our fave!) and don’t touch for 10 minutes. The longer your style sets, the longer it will last.

step 5 A great way to make your ‘do last longer is to use dry shampoo, like UNITE’s 7Seconds Dry Shampoo in the morning. It not only absorbs natural oils and volumizes your hair when it is weighed down with oil and product, it also smells yummy! Celebs like Kelly Ripa and Jennifer Garner use dry shampoo to maintain their blo outs, and stylists use this style secret when coifing models for the runway. Spray at root around the head, lifting hair to get in close to the roots. Work through with brush and blast with the heat of a blow dryer. Style as usual.

step 6 At night, twist your hair on top of your head and clip or flip your head upside down and secure in a hairnet (remember to spray and bobby pin securely!) to keep your style bouncy. Rest your head on a satin pillowcase to prevent snags. Sleep.

step 7 If all else fails, book a blo in-bar or request Blo On The Go (BOTG) – we offer more than just in-house styling. BOTG takes style to your doorstep. From catwalks and photo shoots to hotels, living rooms and boardrooms, Blo will come on site wherever flawless hair is required or desired.

To get the full experience, visit www.blomedry.com and take a look at their Hair Menu and in-bar and out-of-bar services.

Blo Austin

Fifth Street Commons

1611 West 5th Street, Ste 145

512.355.1256

Posted by Britt Roth

Britt Roth has published 7 posts.