Holiday galas and winter soirées await, and since we already have the glittery heels, shimmery makeup, satin manicures, and sequined party dresses, all that's left to worry about is the hair . . .
. . . but if you happen to live in one of the 12 cities with a Drybar, then chances are you needn't worry. Drybar is a blow dry hair salon created around a very simple concept: they only do blowouts, and what glamorously chic and perfectly-polished blowouts they are! Whether you opt for the straight and sleek Manhattan or the fun and curly Cosmopolitan, Drybar offers a menu of hairstyles for any occasion.
Alli Webb, founder of the ultra-stylish salons, began her career in the fashion industry working with designer Nicole Miller, as well as in public relations, working with clients such as Faith Hill and Paul McCartney. After a few years, she followed her heart and decided to pursue her true passion: hair styling. Alli trained under the expert instruction of Toni&Guy and spent several years honing her skills working for the renowned John Sahag.
Recently, we sat down with Alli to hear more about how she came up with the idea for Drybar, and found out that it all began as a result of realizing what she needed, personally, as there were no good choices in the marketplace for blowouts. She also noticed that there was no pretty, fun place to go without feeling guilty for spending so much money on a blow dry every week.
So, teaming up with her husband and her brother, she set out to create that ideal place, a place many are calling "girl heaven", complete with flat screens playing sweet, feel-good movies, hors d'oeuvres, and cozy, chic white interiors, and all at a perfect price.
And having personally visited three different Drybar locations, in New York City, California and Texas, can attest that it truly is an escape, an oasis in the middle of the chaos of the big city -- with one of the best parts being that you can be completely relaxed knowing that you will get consistently perfect results every time . . .
This week, we are excited to share a special double installment of {favourite five}, where we asked Alli, her:
......................................................................................................
{five favourite pieces of advice for running a business:}
1. I saw what was missing in the market -- if you really, wholeheartedly believe in an idea that doesn't exist, then follow your heart! There are so many great ideas yet to be discovered, and execution can be tremendously difficult, but you could be sitting on the next great idea.
2. Have people around you to support you and that you can trust with your idea.
3. Be open to constructive criticism -- be able to hear the good and the bad; at Drybar, we send an email to each client after their blowout, and sometimes people tell us the good and the bad. A lot of business owners might get defensive, but you have to remember that you don't have same the perspective as the client, so I take feedback very seriously, and want to hear if there is something wrong.
4. Take a step back, slow down, and make sure you have all your systems in place and that you have thought through the execution of your idea. Don't run too fast into something that you aren't ready for.
5. Recognize things you are good at, and things you are not. We need people to help us grow our company. You have to know what your needs are.
......................................................................................................
And also, [because we just had to know] Alli's . . .
{top five favourite hair styling products she can't live without:}
1. Morrocan Oil Hydrating Styling Creme
It's fantastic. I colour my hair so it often gets dry and this product is great for hydrating it.
2. Morrocan Oil Luminous Hair Spray, Flexible Hold
I'm not a big hair spray person, but I love the smell of this product! Better yet, it tames fly-aways and won't make hair look like "helmet head". I love that you can still brush through hair when using this hairspray.
3. L'Oréal Pomade
This is a great light pomade for a piece-y, messy and beach-y look like DryBar's "Mai Tai".
4. TIGI Catwalk Transforming Dry Shampoo by Toni&Guy
I use this product like crazy! It is a great blow dry extender.
5. Morrocan Oil Gold Glimmer Shine
This light, airy spray gives great shine that lasts.
......................................................................................................
~ laily
p r e v i o u s f a v o u r i t e f i v e s :
* food editor & author : donna hay
* photographer : debi treloar
* painter : janet hill
* jewelry designer : suzie gallehugh
* artist: michelle armas
* jewelry designers : megan & moira flynn
* actress & writer : shiva rose
* jeweler : camille eddera
* artist: kimia kline
* actress & fashion muse : chloë sevigny
* floral stylist, part 1 : denise porcaro
* floral stylist, part 2 : denise porcaro
* fashion photographer & illustrator : garance doré
* interior designer & architect : nina freudenberger
* entrepreneurs : rent the runway
* designer : rachel ashwell
* interior designer : tricia foley
* photographer : romina shama
* jewelry designer : cc skye
* designer & ceramicist: reiko kaneko
* perfumer : anne mcclain
* model, author & designer : india hicks
* interior designer : kelly wearstler
* fashion designer : tory burch
* designer & stylist : linda rodin
......................................................................................................
{images : makeup via manhattan luxury // rosie huntington-whiteley for victoria's secret // chandelier & flower via charley star // all other images via the drybar website}
