If you’ve ever met me in person, the first thing you will usually notice is my hair. I have a thick curly mane that usually makes me very easy to pick out of a crowd. The curls are inherited from my mother and most days, I think they’re pretty awesome. I tend to stick with the same daily ‘do, usually a topknot or a French braid. But like a lot of ladies out there, sometimes a dramatic change in your look is just what the doctor ordered.
Enter GLAMbar.
Don’t be fooled; this is no ordinary salon. GLAMbar specializes in blowouts, a styling method that uses a hair dryer and a round brush to straighten and create volume in the hair. If you’re trying to make a visual connection, picture a celebrity or model who has bouncy, shiny hair that seems so effortlessly beautiful and you’ll have hit the mark.
Earlier this spring, owner Andrea Jeppesen invited me to be a test subject in a styling chair and experience a blowout myself. Prior to this, I had never experienced a blowout and straight hair was a far distant memory (I went through a regrettable straight-hair phase in junior high).
When I arrived for my visit, the whole salon space was filled with natural light and very inviting to anyone who’s after a glamorous, polished look. After having a tall glass of ice-cold soda poured for me, my stylist, Irina, set to work.
Step one: wash. Artists need to start with clean canvases; hairstylists are no exception. I kicked back in a comfy chair while Irina washed my hair and massaged my scalp. My hair tends to be quite tangled even on a good day, but Irina gently worked out the knots and conditioned my hair so it would be moisturized and able to withstand the heat of the hair dryer.
Step two: dry. This is where it gets interesting. Irina combed another heat-protecting product through my hair; the best part of salons is that almost all of the products smell like paradise in a bottle. Then my hair was separated into layers and starting with the bottom section next to the nape of my neck, she used the round brush and a hair dryer with a tapered nozzle and began to tame my curls into straightening. According to Irina, this part of the process can take varying amounts of time based on a client’s hair; the longer and thicker it is, the more time it takes to blow out. She slowly makes her way up to the top of my scalp, ensuring that each section of hair is dry and silky-smooth.
Step three: style. Here’s the fun part. Once the actual “blowing” part of the blowout is complete, you have lots of options for what the end result looks like. You can go with elegant prom curls, soft waves or anything in between. With a curling iron, Irina created soft curls to frame my face and give my hair a natural wavy look, and topped it off with a strong-hold hairspray.
Step four: makeup. Irina turned me over to Challis, GLAMbar’s makeup artist. She gave me some pointers on how to use blush and bronzer to emphasize my cheekbones, and taught me some tricks on how to make my eyes and eyebrows stand out without looking overdone. I’m a makeup novice, so shortcuts like these make all the difference for me.
Epilogue: WOW. The transformation was unbelievable! My hair had never achieved this level of silkiness and shine, and especially not in under an hour. I had a grin stuck to my face for the rest of the day.
Ladies, whether it’s for a special occasion or you just need someone to help you tame your mane, GLAMbar is the place to go. It’s the perfect place for any gal who wants to get pampered, without the time and expense of a weekend spa getaway.
GLAMbar is located at 1532 E 17th Street with TanAmerica. To find out more or to book an appointment, call 200-9696 or find them on Facebook.