Dry Bar in Legacy Village is one of the only long standing blow dry bars in our area, many others…read morehave closed. They have another location in Westlake. I've been to the Legacy Village multiple times. I prefer this salon over my regular hair salon or other places due to efficient service and reasonable prices.
AMBIANCE: Modern, light and airy aesthetic - white and yellow accents. The salon has a small lobby with a few chairs and salon in the same open space. All salon chairs face mirrors (front and back). Hair washing area is available in the back. The salon always remains pristine and pleasant. Yellow accents immediately elevate your mood even on gloomy and snowy days. While your service is in progress, you can watch TV's with closed captions. That's how I learned that Dry Bar provides styling for the Bachelor TV show.
The salon has their own line of products. You can find shampoos, hairsprays, and other styling potions. There are also styling tools on brand - yellow! They don't push product which is lovely.
SERVICES: The salon only offers hair services - blowouts ($59), updos ($99), dry styling ($35), and add-on hair treatments. If you want to make it a lifestyle, they offer barfly memberships. They are 45-$90 per month with few blowouts and perks included.
The value is much better than at full hair salons or when hiring a hair artist. I always get dry style (no hair washing, just styling). It's a steal for $35. Blowouts honestly take too long to complete and don't provide a world of a difference compared to dry style. Essentially, I find the two very similar.
You will be able to select various styles during your visit. You'll flip through the Lookbook to select styles (pictures examples are included on its pages). I usually go for the Old Fashioned. It provides gorgeous classic curls and holds the best. The salon uses their own product line for styling, which provides amazing hold. You can also add-on services like scalp treatments, seasonally Chloe wine bow for the holidays, and a braid to your style. If you have extensions, your service may take longer time. You'll immediately know when booking.
SERVICE: The initial booking is extremely easy. Just go online, find date/time, add credit card, and book. Payment is collected onsite after the service. Every phone call about services is expeditiously answered. There are always many available booking slots day or night.
Front desk staff is usually extremely friendly. They really want to ensure that your experience is smooth. They even offer complimentary drinks like water, tea, or coffee.
Beyond the front desk, service is very subpar. It's quick, reasonably friendly, but not relationship-based. The salon had a lot of turnover over the years, and I don't recognize anyone during every visit. Stylists no longer ask about your occasion, involve you in the creative process, or really ask you anything personal. Lately I genuinely feel like a transaction than a client. Small talk and genuine conversation would probably make me come in more frequently than for special occasions. Another criticism I have is that styles never turn out the same from visit to visit. Every stylist does their own thing. I usually opt in for the Old Fashioned style since it's hard to deviate from. I'd love to play with other styles but they never match the photo and vary greatly.
I have to say that my hair always holds for extended period of time which is a huge plus. You get sprayed with a lot of hairspray but the hair looks phenomenal.
CANCELLATION POLICY: The policies here are a little over the top. For instance, I booked on the day there was a snow storm. I would have cancelled but received multiple messages from the salon about cancellation being in effect. It literally stated that there is a snow storm, and clients should plan to arrive early. Ten minute grace period still applied. That's not at all client centric. This feels like most impersonal part of the experience. At some point, caring about the clients is vital to the client experience.
PARKING: Parking is available around Legacy Village - limited streets parking, and parking lots all over the shopping area.
This dry bar is a great destination if you're looking for a quick service for an occasion. You'll get high quality style, save a little, be in and out. If you're looking for relationship-oriented service and preciseness, this is not the place for you. I'll be back on occasion for events, but actively looking for plan B due to transactional nature. I want to be excited about my service, socialize, and have fun during my service, I haven't found it here lately.
