Category Archives: Beauty & Hair

In Hairstylists We Trust: Q&A with Drybar Founder Alli Webb

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For the past last couple of years, I’ve been facing a constant hair dilemma before every business meeting, date night or special event. Trying to choose between trekking in to the city for an expensive blowout or scheduling an appointment with an unknown stylist at a never-been-to cheap hair salon nearby, in hopes they can accomplish the style that I’m looking for. Needless to say those options left me broke with a botched dry style. Lucky for me (and the entire Metropolitan area), my hairstyle fears and wallet problems have subsided thanks to the newly opened Drybar in Bethesda. Before I embarked on my first (and definitely not last) blowdry, I had a chance to chat with Alli Webb, the genius behind the cool new hair salon concept.

Tell us about how you came up with the concept behind Drybar.
Alli Webb: “Well first and foremost, I’ve always been a blowout junkie. I’ve been a stylist for 15 years and not long after, I got married and had kids and thought I was going to be a stay-at-home mom. As much as I love my kids, I missed being out there. So I started a mobile blow dry business. My husband helped me with the website and created a page and that’s where I started posting on this little “Mommy blog,” which led me to getting all this business. What I was learning from my clients was they struggled with the same situation, when I couldn’t come to their house—like go to their salon and pay $70 or $80 for a blowout or go to a discount chain salon and you don’t know what you’re getting and experience is off. There wasn’t a place to go for a great blowout for a great price. I just had a vision in my head with an atmosphere that was fun and social.”

Why was DC next on your list?
AW: “Well we started in L.A. and we’re all throughout northern California, then naturally NYC was next. And what started happening as our presence started to grow, we were getting so many requests to come to D.C. on Twitter and social media. This was our most requested city, hands down. It’s a cool metropolitan city.”

What are some tips for maintaining a great blowout after visiting the Drybar?
AW: “Make sure you don’t go to the gym [laughs]. The Drybar has a Shower Cap for the morning after ($15). Dry shampoo is great. If it’s three or four days in and your hair looks dirty, try blow drying just the front part to help refresh your look.”

Any beauty products you’re loving right now?
“It’s always changing! Right now I’m obsessed with MAC glitter. I like anything that’s sparkly and shimmery. As far as hair products, the Style Winder, a modern version of a curling iron to help achieve that messy, beachy waves look.”

Drybar, 4840 Bethesda Ave., 240-483-4277; 1825 Wisconsin Ave., NW 202-609-8644; thedrybar.com

In Blowouts We Trust: Drybar Opens Friday in the District

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Forget the botched DIY blow dry or quick trips to your hair salon in hopes your stylist can squeeze you in. The Drybar will officially open its doors in Georgetown in Bethesda this Friday… just in time for the weekend outings.

The concept is simple: no cuts or color, just blowouts. Founded by Alli Web, creating this chic bar-like atmosphere was a no-brainer. Boasting Italian styling chairs, marble countertops and an iPhone charging dock and custom playlist at every station, consider this a go-to before your next business meeting, a night-on-the-town or just a reason to not have to blowdry your hair yourself!

Offering various blowout options on the menu from a Straight Up (a simple, straight look) to a Cosmopolitan (loose curls), as well as extras like Up-Tinis (updos), Hair Shots (hair treatments), and Floaters (mini scalp massages), don’t expect to clean out your wallet with these reasonable prices (all blowouts are $40).

Book your appointment here.

 

Editor’s Picks: September 2012

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1. Chanel Le Vernis in 561 Suspicious ($26). I’m obsessed with this intense raspberry shade. I’m on a serious hunt for this fall polish and I’ve enlisted the help of my fabulous aunt (who also happens to work for Neiman Marcus) to scour stores on the west coat for me. Yes, my search just went bi-coastal.

2. Stephanie Johnson Jewelry Case ($60). I was recently gifted with this jewelry case and I can’t imagine how I lasted this long without this! No more tacky Ziploc bags and old jewelry boxes—now I can pack all my necklaces, bracelets and earrings into a compact case that also happens to be utterly stylish.

3. NARS Optimal Brightening Concentrate ($72). I’m pretty particular when it comes to my skincare routine but I recently switched up my regimen and I couldn’t be happier with the results. It’s the ultimate illuminator and anti-aging formula rolled in to one, not to mention helps keep my makeup last and glow all day long.

4. YSL Rouge Pur Couture Vernis Glossy Stain ($32). I actually won this YSL glossy stain back at the Neiman Marcus fall trend event and it’s my go-to every time I want a sexy red lip. Using a sponge-tip applicator, it goes on like a gloss but dries with a velvety finish, giving me dimension and a beautiful bright lip.

5. Bobbi Brown Desert Twilight Eye Palette ($60). I kid you not: a day has not gone by where I haven’t used this palette. From shimmery light pinks to beige and dark browns, this palette is easy to use, not to mention includes a double-sided brush and mirror. I love layering every shade to create a sultry fall eye.

6. Jo Malone Blackberry & Bay Cologne ($60-$110). I took home a sample size of this new fall fragrance and to put it bluntly—I’m almost out of it. A mix of tarte blackberries blended with bay and brambly woods, it’s basically fall in a bottle.

7. The Original Beauty Blender ($19.95). I picked this up at the Birchbox Sample Stop during NYFW and this tiny pink sponge is the key to blending and correcting every makeup imperfection. Talk about a little product that packs some serious punch! If you’re someone that finds yourself constantly blending and re-blending makeup with your fingertips, this sponge will do it for you.

8. Oscar Blandi Volumizing Dry Shampoo Spray ($25). A Redken hairstylist spritzed my hair with this dry shampoo on FNO following my blowout for a matte finish and a little sumthin’ sumthin’ to help prolong my ‘do. I’ve been using the brand’s original dry powder and I swear even after brushing it out, my hair looked like I had dandruff. Needless to say, this product in a spray can does the trick (and no white powder residue).

2 NYFW How-To Hairstyles: The Messy Knot & The Chignon

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Clockwise from Left: The final hair and makeup look at Nicholas K, the hair from behind backstage,a model getting ready backstage, and my own take on the spring/summer ‘do.

The Look: A sideswept messy knot at Nicholas K spring/summer show

The Inspiration: TIGI lead hairstylist Nick Irwin referenced the cult film, Soylent Green for inspiration. The look for Nicholas K can be described like this: “unkept, bohemian downtown kind of vibe,” he says. ”It almost looks like you’ve just tied it in a knot and it’s falling out.” Irwin says this particular tip is key: “less is more.”

The Products: TIGI’s Sessions Series Sea Salt Spray and Sessions Series Finishing Hairspray.

The Tutorial:
Mist the sea salt spray to help manipulate and create a textured effect.
Gather hair into a low side ponytail and split pony in two and create a knot by looping in elastics.
Set the unkept style with Sessions Series Finishing Hairspray.

Where to? If you work in a conservative office environment, you may want to wait to rock this look on the weekends or a night on the town.

Continue reading →

Politics of Pretty at NYFW

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This week I’ve been out and about in New York for LuckyFABB and NYFW. Follow me on Twitter (@dcshopgirl) and Instagram (@politicsofpretty) for the latest in my fashion and beauty adventures backstage and front-of-house!

(Above: at the Redken exchange on Fifth Avenue getting a blowout inspired by one of four runway beauty looks!)

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