As the cost of a wash and blow-dry at area salons creeps toward to the $60 mark, the trendy (and affordable) blowout-only concept is an increasingly welcome addition to this town. And not just for the under-$40 price: The no-cut, no-color salons, furnished with luxe decor and offering Champagne and chick flicks, offer a pampering experience above that of a standard cuttery.
Which is why we’re thrilled that Washington’s about to get two more: Blo, a chic blow-dry bar with outposts as far as Moscow, will open locations this year in Dupont Circle and Gaithersburg. The DC location marks the second salon of its kind downtown—the first, Blowout Bar, sits at 21st and L streets, Northwest; the Gaithersburg location will be the Maryland suburb’s first. Georgetown, Bethesda, and Reston are home to similar concepts Drybar and Flow.
Blo—popular in New York, Miami, and Beverly Hills—offers a menu of styles ranging from red-carpet waves to edgy fishtail braids for a flat fee of $40. Add ons, like deep-conditioning treatments and extensions, are just a few bucks more. Also on the menu is something we haven’t seen before: a service for men that includes a wash, dry, and 20-minute head massage for $21, somewhat dubiously dubbed the “Blo Bro.”
While exact opening dates have not yet been determined, a rep tells us to expect the Dupont locale within the next three months; Gaithersburg will follow later in the year. We’re keeping a watchful eye on the spaces in the meantime and studying up on our “Blocabulary.”
Blo. 2127 P St., NW; 317 Ellington Blvd., Gaithersburg.
