What is all the buzz about blowouts and braids?

Market niches and specialities are nothing new to most industries, but other than kids salons and men’s salons the hair industry has not seen a lot of stepping out of the box in the 30 years that I have been in the business. But now things are beginning to change. Within the past year we’ve seen two hot salon concepts emerge, both specializing in hair styling techniques that require some hair stylist skills that go well beyond those taught in most cosmetology schools.

In both LA and NYC you’ll find specialty salons who do nothing but blow out and another group doing nothing but high fashion hair braiding. What does that mean for us consumers? Quick, great looks the will get you through that high fashion weekend with a minimum of fuss and without busting the average fashionistas budget.

Last longer, more volume smooth base fullness

Blow Out Bars

Gone are the days when you fret over bad hair and long queues just to get your hair blown out and styled for a special event. Now, there is an easy and wallet-friendly solution: Blow out bars are is the hottest service trend in beauty and many such outlets have been springing up across the world. Unlike ordinary salons, these ‘bars’ offer women one signature service. At the same time, it provides them with a luxurious environment to relax or mingle with their gal-pals. Women can now indulge and experiment with the plethora of hairstyles at anytime of the day enabling them to look fresh and lively all year round (or at least for the week). They also provide a variety of hair products and accessories to accommodate different hair types and tastes. Looking beautiful isn’t restricted to special occasions anymore, this on-the-go beauty has done much to restore the confidence in women, leaving them high-spirited as they step out onto the streets with their newly blowout hair.

Braid Bars

Another ‘bar’ that has borrowed this similar concept of “sticking to one” is seen the recent entry of braid bars onto the beauty scene. The simple luxury of having someone do your hair for you and creating a work of art has created a lot of buzz. Women now have the option to choose a funky and new hairstyle without having their hair cut or dyed. Browse through braid menus to select the type that will suit you best and if you’re unhappy? Untie and braid again! Women who need to attend pool or beach parties, and need to keep their hair intact for the night (some say, even days) these one-stop bars are the place to be! Of course, braids are not weaved for that particular reason, in fact it is one of the most versatile styling in the beauty industry, you can wear it messy or fish-tailed to the side, whatever it is, braids are in and here to stay!

Women can now seek refuge in these new braid bars and blowout bars without having to exhaust themselves with homemade hairstyles. This luxury and convenience has undeniably redefined beauty in the hair industry and has been keeping women feeling beautiful everyday.

Got a question, war story or comment about this topic? Click on the "Leave Your Comments" link at the very bottom of this article. Some of my best ideas for future articles come from reading reader comments. I'd love to hear from you!

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If you’ve got the money here is the top of the line hair treatments

Fashionistas know that no outfit is complete without a great head of hair. Is there anything more tragic than a perfectly planned ensemble led astray by a bad hair day? Now more than ever hair trends are becoming just as popular as fashion trends. With half of Hollywood walking around wearing glued in wefts, in easy to see why. Here is a just a quick look into some of the fastest growing hair treatment trends that will be sure to complete any look, but none come cheaply!

Balayage Highlight – $250

This is a free hand process of highlighting hair in which highlights are painted on from the base to the tip of the hair. At the base highlights are applied ever so lightly while at the tip the color is more saturated. This causes a natural beach bunny look. What’s great about this look is as the hair grows out the root is not as obvious as with normal highlighting techniques. This has become all the rage with models and celebrities . . . think Lauren Conrad.

Brazilian Blowout – $350 and up

This is a 1.5 – 2 hour process in which a special solution is applied to wet washed hair, dried and then flat ironed to seal in the solution. After this the solution is washed out, a conditioning mask is applied the hair is blow dried. Once completed clients can expect to see smooth and silky hair that is ready to wash and wear for up to 3 months. It eliminates the time spent after showering to primp and prep hair.

Hair Extensions – $1,500 – 4,000

Depending on the type you are going for, hair extensions can run you a pretty penny. Lasting up to 8 months most extensions bond individual wefts of hair to your natural hair by a heating iron. There is also the option for a traditional “weave” or sewn in extensions which has been around longer than heat bonding. These can be a better option as far as longevity goes, but the pain associated with the process during and after deters many from getting weaves.

Full Body Hair Removal – $4500-5000

One of the newest trends isn’t about nourishing your hair, instead it’s about removing it entirely! Since Kim Kardashian and other celebs have admitted their affinity for “completely bare” bodies, full body hair removal is in demand. To accomplish this look, the body is usually broken up into sections and using a laser, high pulses of light are emitted onto the skin to break down hair follicles. The process takes multiple sessions, usually up to 6, to see full results. Most clinicians that dispense the service say that the process is pain-free and will save patient’s thousands of dollars spent on a lifetime of razors and waxing.

Feather/Glitter – $50 feather/tinsel hair extensions

You may have seen it on the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and Oprah and now it is a growing trend among fashionistas everywhere. These new hair additions can be tied into hair for a pop of color and texture. Both tinsel and feathers can be treated like your own hair. You can shampoo, blow dry and flat iron most tinsel and feather extensions. You can buy these yourself on-line, but most hair salons are now offering tinsel/feather extensions and application.

Japanese Hair Straightening – $300 – $1,500

Also known as thermal reconditioning, this process consists of the hair being alternately shampooed with specific chemical products, heated, blown out and then straightened by flat iron. This process is done again and again until hair is left completely retextured- smooth, shiny and completely straight. Your hair should stay permanently straightened for four to six months.

Guest contributor Danae Matthews writes on the blog, Danae’s Corner. Danae’s Corner is featured exclusively on the on-line women’s health site, Women’s Health Base.

Got a question, war story or comment about this topic? Click on the "Leave Your Comments" link at the very bottom of this article. Some of my best ideas for future articles come from reading reader comments. I'd love to hear from you!

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