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Blow
Clubby blowout salon.
342 W. 14th St., nr. Ninth Ave.; 212-989-6282
VS
Drybar
Perky California challenger.
4 W. 16th St., nr. Fifth Ave.; 212-561-5392; and 119 W. 56th St., nr. Sixth Ave.; 212-561-5392
Opens weekdays at
Blow: 8 a.m.
Drybar: 7 a.m.Price
Blow: $40 to $60; depending on hair length and texture; flat-ironing is an additional $10
Drybar: $40 flat rate for any headVibe
Blow: Black-and-fuchsia décor sets a decidedly meatpacking-district mood
Drybar: Sunny and casual, with a yellow-and-white color schemeClientele
Blow: Gussied-up fashion types in leather leggings and red-soled heels
Drybar: Chatty post-sorority professionals and mother-daughter pairsLevel of stylist chatter
Blow: A steady stream of salon-standard small talk
Drybar: After initial pleasantries, will leave you to your magazineProducts
Blow: Blow’s own sulfate- and paraben-free line
Drybar: Moroccan Oil and L’OréalComplimentary Sustenance
Blow: Water, but you’ll have to ask for it
Drybar: Champagne, coffee, tea, and cookiesEntertainment
Blow: Requisite stack of fashion and lady mags
Drybar: Flat-screens playing chick flicks (The Notebook, Crazy Stupid Love)Notable fans
Blow: Gucci Westman, Julie Gilhart
Drybar: Cindy Crawford, Zooey Deschanel, Emma RobertsAfter the blowout, you'll look like
Blow: Kim Kardashian (loose, voluminous curls)
Drybar: Jennifer Aniston (sleek and flippy strands)What else?
Blow: Updos, extensions, straightening, cuts, color, and nails
Drybar: Updos, Shirley Temple blowouts for kids, at-home servicesPresentation
Blow:
Drybar:Cancellation policy
Blow: Within 24 hours, you’ll be charged ($40)
Drybar: No charge, if you callWinner
Drybar wins, thanks to its two locations, extra-early hours—and mood-boosting Ryan Gosling flicks.
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Smackdown: Blowouts
From the 2012 Best of New York issue of New York Magazine