Here’s the thing about blowdry bars: How many times have you wanted to book but been worried they wouldn’t know how to work with your hair texture? We get it. Blowdry bars have often only marketed exclusively to women with straight (or, at most, loosely curly) hair. If you had thick, curly, kinky hair, it’s as if we weren’t the target customer. But we love a bouncy blowout and silky press as much as the next girl. That’s why we’re excited to see many black-owned blowdry/silk press salons popping up across the country.
If you’ve been hunting for the blowdry bar experience that has your hair type—both natural and relaxed—in mind, you’ve come to the right place. Here, 5 silk press and blowdry bars created by black women that are committed to offering you great service in record time.
By Nina King
SALON: HAIR + SPACE
Location: College Park, Maryland
Launched: 2019
Founder: Regina Holbert
Why she started it: Holbert created Hair + Space to revolutionize the black hair salon experience. “As a Black woman with long, maybe 2C hair, I became tired of being charged extra for hair longer than my ‘bra strap’ or for being natural,” says Holbert. “I hated having to carve out an entire day to get my hair done. I’d be 1 of 5 people with an 8 am appointment, stylist would show up at 10 am and I wouldn’t leave until 2 pm. Those days are over!” Her end goal was, “to create an affordable, convenient, luxurious, and on-trend hair styling and beauty experience for all women and all hair types.”
What clients have to say: Clients can’t get enough of Hair + Space. One reviewer says, “This was absolutely fabulous! I love the positive environment. The products you all use are excellent and I love what they do for my hair. I trek from Virginia to get my hair done, but it is SO worth it.”
Their #1 secret to the perfect blowout: “Our #1 secret to the perfect blowdry is using the round brush technique with an amazing heat protectant.”
How they’re handling COVID: In servicing clients post-COVID, Hair + Space is still prioritizing client and stylist safety. Holbert states, “since we’ve reopened, it’s become the norm to take staff temperatures before each shift. Masks are required for stylists and clients at all times. Sinks, tools, and chairs are sanitized and disinfected between each client, and styling stations are spaced at least 6 feet apart.”
Salon: Textured Press
Location: New York, NY
Launched: 2018
Founder: Ebony Knight
Why she started it: Knight is not new to the blowout game. “I found that at blowout bars where I used to work, women of color were being underserved even though we made up more than half of their staffing,” says Knight. In creating Textured Press, Ebony “wanted to create a space that caters to black women, not just serves them. A place that made sure we were represented in the artwork, a space that was specifically created for black women […] and serving in the silk press blowout space. That had never been done for us the way it is now in 2020.” Now she operates Textured Press as a silk-press only pop-up several times a year.
What clients have to say: Clients absolutely love their Textured Press experience, and Ebony is one of Swivel’s top-booked stylists for blowouts. One reviewer raves, “I had an incredible experience with Ebony. She was kind, skillful, and empowered me to treat my hair the best way I can. I can’t wait to come back!”
Their #1 secret to the perfect blowout: Ebony believes the power is in the product: “The perfect blowout starts with a really good blowdry, but I think making sure your leave-in conditioner has heat protectant is key. So this way at the blowdry stage, the hair is completely smooth and all your doing is relying on your flat iron to style.”
How they’re handling COVID: “We’re making sure everyone has face coverings and stylists have face shields,” says Knight. “Chairs and tools are all sterilized and at the end of every workday, we’re taking that extra step to make sure the salon is clean.”
Please note: This salon operates pop-ups throughout the year, but is not open continuously.
Salon: Pressed Roots
Location: Dallas, Texas
Launched: 2020
Founder: Piersten Gaines
Why she started it: For Gaines, creating Pressed Roots was personal. “As a woman who has struggled throughout my life to find quality hair services—even losing all of my hair on two separate occasions at the hands of two separate licensed stylists— wanted to develop a solution to change the statistic that 50% of black women experience hair loss at least once in their lives. Pressed Roots guarantees gorgeous and healthy hair, but we also guarantee clients to be in and out in under 2 hours (when the average for this demographic is between 4-5 hours for a single style) and a pampered, elite salon experience replicable no matter where they travel.”
What clients have to say: With their amazing customer service and salon experience, Pressed Roots boasts five stars reviews with clients saying, “I could go on all day but ultimately my hair came out looking fabulous […] I really appreciate my experience here because it was much-needed self-care and I left feeling much better than when I arrived. Thank you!”
Their #1 secret to the perfect blowout: The Pressed Roots blowout secret is all in the name, “our Pressed Roots method is our secret sauce to our perfect silk blowout. However, we always start our training by letting prospective stylists know that the perfect silk blowout starts at the shampoo bowl. It is beyond important to get a great wash in with the products that make the most sense for his/her hair type. Without a deep cleansing, the end result falters.”
How they’re handling COVID: In order to keep their customers happy and healthy, Pressed Roots has taken great precautions to ensure customers have a safe salon experience. Take a look at their new procedures here.
@ndustrybyindia
Salon: Naza Beauty
Location: San Francisco, California
Launched: 2020
Founder: Natanya Montgomery
Why she started it: In an interview with Forbes magazine, Montgomery explains, “for black women, there’s a lot of anxiety that can exist in going for a salon day, there’s so much unknown. All of this hair anxiety causes a pretty stressful experience, and that’s why I think people have found that they stay with a place even if they’re not satisfied with the service.” In terms of what Naza Beauty offers, she told Elle, “I wanted every single person that walks in, sees it on the street, or sees an Instagram ad to know that this is [a place] by, for, and centering [around] black and brown women.” And Naza does more than just blowouts—they also provide a curated roster of protective styles, too.
What clients have to say: It’s not hard to see why clients love Naza. As one Yelp reviewer simply states, “Please go see for yourself. Beautiful establishment, excellent service, and a brilliant concept. Your natural hair is safe here ladies!”
How they’re handling COVID: While salons in San Francisco have not yet been cleared for reopening, check for updates on their Instagram page.
Salon: Press Bar Salon
Location: Suwanee + two other locations in Gwinnett County, GA
Launched: 2009
Founder: Kali
Why she started it: Based on her website, Kali founded Press Bar salon to solve a major problem in the salon industry: long salon wait times. Tired of waiting hours for previously scheduled appointments, and having to sacrifice numerous afternoons in the salon chair, Kali created a space “where you can get great hair for a great price in Georgia.”
What clients have to say: Clients love their Press Bar Salon experience. One Google reviewer says, “My experience was so pleasant and I am soo pleased with my hair! I felt amazing leaving. Everyone is professional and clearly loves what they do. Also, they value your time. I can’t wait to come back.”
How they’re handling COVID: For client and stylist safety, Press Bar requires both stylists and clients to wear face masks and regularly checks temperatures upon entrance. Read more on their protocols here.
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