The Dry Bar, SF (WIN), Daily Candy SF (FAIL!)

I first heard about The Dry Bar salon from Sabrina, at The Beauty Look Book. This salon does nothing but blowouts and up-do's - no cuts, no color. I noticed that these salons were predominately in Southern California (as well as Arizona and Texas) so I was all kinds of excited to discover that they were now in my neck of the woods - San Francisco, Pacific Heights to be exact. Daily Candy, SF is currently running a $20 special for a blowout/floater (10mn scalp massage). I did not hesitate to purchase this. I just wished I knew I'd end up paying full price once I checked out (more on that later).

How cute is that?

It is literally a bar setup - you sit at the bar and stylist stand behind you cranking out blow-outs in top speed. You choose from a menu of hair styles with cocktail inspired names. I went with the "cosmo-tai" a combination of loose and messy, beachy curls. I had a girls night out planned later so I was keeping my fingers crossed that my curls would last through the night.

I am still curious what a Bourbon on the Rocks might look like if it existed...
This place also likes to keep the champagne flowing. You are offered libations - champagne, mimosas, and the straight stuff - juices, waters infused with cucumber or strawberry. I stopped myself after two mimosas because I just came from an intense gym workout, I haven't eaten lunch and I still had to drive all the way back home and pick up my mini cupcake from her grandmother's house.


Watch out ladies - they like to get you liquored up here!

My stylist, Jamila assured me that she could make my curls last - I've heard that claim before but with my heavy, course, thick hair I wasn't going to get my hopes up too high. She was very sweet and she gave me a great scalp massage which is what I needed after a tough gym workout and a very long work week! Like the foot massage during a pedicure, a great scalp massage is worth the price of a salon visit. However, I felt a few minutes cheated from a promised 10 minute massage. For what it's worth - I was satisfied with a 7 minute scalp massage.

The products the salon uses are Moroccan Oil styling products and Living proof frizz  line. This was my first time using these products - I was quite pleased and my hair smelled like candy when Jamila was finished. She used a curling method while blowing my hair out with a boar bristle brush and then she curled my hair with a 1/2" barrel curling iron and then she sprayed me well. I need to invest in these products because when I do add curl or extra texture into my hair, it can look like a frizzy mess. These products kept my hair looking smooth and shiny! Even after my curls relaxed later into the evening. I retouched with my own hairspray for added insurance and still no frizz!

Here I am with fresh curls:

(pretty curly, I know)

Like I said I purchased a coupon from Daily Candy, SF. Until I realized I had forgotten my coupon. Then I was told that I could retrieve and show them the coupon on my phone. I searched and searched but I could not find the coupon. Trust me I went through a whole wave of emotions realizing that even though I bought a $20 coupon, I had to pay full price for a blowout/10mn massage for $45. In total, I paid $65 for my blowout. All the champagne in the world couldn't shake the annoying feeling I had. But I kept telling myself that it's there somewhere in my inbox - personal email or work email. If I had record of it in my bank statement then I know it's somewhere floating around in cyberspace.

Currently, I am still searching for my purchase confirmation email. It's almost like I never bought the coupon deal - it's pretty annoying. In the meantime, I am also waiting to hear back from Daily Candy customer service. I just hope they can redeem themselves, otherwise they lost me as a customer and follower!

But would I come back to Dry Bar even if I didn't find my coupon to cash in on another blowout/floater?

Judging from my hair before leaving the house:

(Loving the look better once the curl has cooled and relaxed)

That's a yes! And for the record, my hair held up well till I went to bed. The next day, I pinned it half way up in a messy Brigitte Bardot inspired look.

The Dry Bar, SF
1908 Fillmore Street, SF
415.347.8908