I Had My Unruly Tresses Tamed at New Sanlitun 3.3 Salon Blow+Bar
Everyone knows Beijing can be tough on hair. Hot and humid summers leave hair frizzy and lifeless (when it's not stuck to your forehead with sweat ...), while the intensely dry winters play havoc with split ends. Singaporean transplant Blow+Bar (read as 'Blow Plus Bar') is hoping to change that with their first mainland China salon, located in Sanlitun's 3.3 Mall.
Founded in Singapore in 2012, Blow+Bar is the brainchild of Diana Goh and Ashley Soh. The two women decided to found Blow+Bar in order to make grooming fun and practical again, rather than just another errand that you somehow have to stuff into your schedule.
The clue to Blow+Bar's unique offering is in the name: haircuts (from RMB 180), blowouts (from RMB 148 for a "daily blowout," RMB 238 for a "Singapore Ultimate Blowout"), and colors (prices vary) can be enjoyed with a free glass of wine or bubbly from the bar, the idea being that you can make your pre-party hair sesh an actual part of the night, or alternatively, just relax after a hard day at the office. They also have a private room that you can book out for small parties, and bring your own wine.
Despite the Sex and the City feel (we see a whole lot of girls' nights and bridal showers happening here), this is not a women's only salon – they also offer men's cuts and blow drys. Tucked away on the third floor of 3.3, the salon itself is light and modern, with lots of red accents.
Blow+Bar's signature treatment is the "permanent blowout," (from RMB 1,180, depending on hair length) a light digital perm that leaves hair with soft waves for up to six months – essentially hair that looks like you've had a professional blow dry every day. There are 10 permanent styles to choose from, from light waves to tighter curls. Sounds too good to be true? Although I've yet to try it for myself, but I've heard good things from people who've already tried it in Beijing or back in Singapore.
I did, however, try a daily blowout and was suitably impressed. After a relaxing hair wash/head massage (using all direct-imported L'Oreal products), my stylist chatted to me about what I wanted (several of the stylists speak English), and I came away with a head of bouncy, wavy hair. The stylist even adjusted and re-blow dried my do after he saw I didn't like what he'd done with the back. He said the blow dry would last two days, which I will be honest and say it didn't, but that is more the fault of my hair type and can't-keep-still sleeping style than anything they did.
Blow+Bar have a number of limited-time promotions during their opening period, including buy-one-get-one-free blowouts and up dos, and RMB 50-80 off hair cuts. You can also enjoy cash discounts of up to RMB 800 for a spend of RMB 2,000 or more on perms, coloring, and treatments.
Blow+Bar
Daily 11am-10.30pm. 3021, 3/F, 3.3 Shopping Mall, 33 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District (5136 5432)
朝阳区三里屯路33号3.3大厦3层3021商铺
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Photos: Robynne Tindall, courtesy of Blow+Bar
