What's the difference between a $30 blowout and a $100 blowout?
As the token long-hair employee at Revelist, my boss sent me to investigate. I started where all millennials start when they need something: Google. Searches for "best inexpensive blowout in NYC" and "most expensive blowout in NYC" eventually led me to Magnifique Style and John Barrett Salon, respectively.
I entered this assignment as a blowout virgin with a lot of questions. Isn't a blowout just a blow-dry? Will the $100 blowout make me feel like a goddess? Will I really see a difference, or is it more about the atmosphere?
Two blowouts later, all my questions were answered.
First up was the $30 blowout at Magnifique Salon, a small storefront in Manhattan's Murray Hill neighborhood.
The façade didn't scream luxury, but who am I — a blowout virgin — to judge a book by its cover?
I walked in and the receptionist greeted me with a smile and offered to take my coat. While I checked in, my stylist Karyna walked over and asked if I wanted anything to drink: water, coffee, tea, or wine?
If I wasn't on a detox, I would've said wine without hesitation, but alas, I accepted the water. My $100 blowout would surely offer wine, right? I could indulge by then.
Karyna asked what style I wanted and if my hair tends to frizz (it does). Together we chose a sleek look on top that transitioned into curls.
Going into this, I didn't even know a blow-dryer could create multiple styles.
After deciding on a style, Karyna handed me over to get my hair shampooed in the back room. (The place is deceptively big — when you walk down the hallway, you enter a large room with three shampooing stations, pedicure chairs, and additional vanities.)
The assistant shampooed and conditioned my hair with Kashmir products, which are designed for all hair types and damaged locks.
I sat back, surrendered my head, and let the pampering begin. The assistant gave me a welcome scalp massage as she shampooed and conditioned my hair while I let my worries wash down the drain.
So far, so good.
Can we take a moment to admire this towel bun?
Karyna asked which way I parted my hair and started rough drying. She then sectioned it off and went to work.
Karyna and I made small talk while she prepped my hair. We talked about careers, hobbies, and what we want to do in the future. Her open and friendly personality screamed hairstylist, and I loved it.
As she moved through the sections, she used different brushes with varying barrel shapes to create a more voluminous look.
As someone who owns a single paddle brush, I was impressed.
That curl doe! I got exactly what we discussed: smooth on top, big and bouncy curls at the bottom.
I felt like a vintage movie star ready to slip into a slinky evening gown and hit the red carpet.
If this is what you get for $30, I could only imagine what an extra $70 would get me.
With tip and tax, the total came out to $48.
After a windy NYC evening, a full night's sleep, and a yoga class, this is how my $30 blowout held up.
Not bad.
For the $100 blowout, I went to John Barrett Salon, which is perched atop the swanky Bergdorf Goodman.
Needless to say, walking past luxury boutiques on 5th Avenue and entering the golden gates of Bergdorf Goodman felt more special than walking past noisy bars on 3rd Avenue toward Magnifique.
The salon has an incredible view of Central Park, and the natural light spills in.
I immediately felt like a child at a fancy adult soirée. Could people tell I didn't belong? Could they see my thin wallet through my bag?
I'd read that John Barrett works with all the top celebrities, socialites, and fashion editors — and the chicness of his salon matches his clientele.
The first difference I noticed? This salon has coat check. I exchanged my coat for an embroidered robe.
The oversize windows, the coat check, the initialed robes — the atmosphere dripped with luxury. But even with all that sunlight, it didn't feel as warm and friendly as Magnifique.
After checking my coat and putting on my robe, I didn't know where to go. I sat my awkward self down on a bench in a room filled with salon vanities, assuming that's where I should be. When no one appeared, I walked back into the lobby where an employee finally took me to get shampooed.
Welcome to shampoo heaven. Please take note of the foot stool located below the oversize reclining chairs.
Before sitting down, the woman shampooing my hair asked if I wanted a double or single shampoo, and if I wanted conditioner all over or just on the ends.
I could get used to this service.
I opted for a single shampoo and conditioner all over (after dying my hair blonde, I need all the conditioner I can get).
The salon was stocked with Shu Uemura Art of Hair products, a Japanese brand founded by MUA Shu Uemura.
After my shampoo I was offered coffee, cappuccino, hot tea, iced tea, water with ice, water with lemon...BUT NO MENTION OF WINE!
One-hundred dollars and no glass of wine or flute of Champagne? My heart sank as I settled for lemon water.
PSA: There is never a good time to take a sip of water during a blowout.
Look, there's the wine I wasn't offered.
My stylist Katsu asked me what kind of style I wanted and I answered "wavy and voluminous."
As you can see, my hair was flat and in need of life.
This was the moment of truth: Is atmosphere the only distinction between a $30 and $100 blowout?
Before sectioning off my hair, Katsu asked which way I prefer my part. He then sprayed a texturizing hair primer all over my strands.
This is where our conversation ended. No small talk, strictly business.
Never in my life have I seen hair twirl around a brush in such way to create the perfect curl. I sat watching with high hopes to figure out his technique. (Spoiler: I couldn't wrap my brain around it.)
I may know how to curl my hair with a straightener, but I could never master the art of the wavy blowout with only one brush!
My arms got tired just watching him.
LOOK AT THAT CURL!
This, ladies and gentleman, is a selfie-worthy blowout. And after tip and tax, it came in just shy of $115.
These mermaid waves were everything and more! I felt like a goddess on her salon chair throne overlooking her Central Park kingdom.
Bow down, bitches.
And yes, this style also stood the test of time — aka a night of sleep and an intense cardio workout.
So, is a $100 blowout better than a $30 blowout? Not necessarily.
If you're looking to be pampered in an atmosphere frequented by socialites, then yes, splurge for the $100. But if you're in the market for a quality blowout, you don't need to spend the big bucks.
While the staff at John Barrett was friendly, I didn't get as warm of a welcome as I did at Magnifique. The atmosphere at the Murray Hill shop wasn't as luxurious, but the people and the conversations were more genuine.
Both hairstyles made me feel like a goddess in different ways. John Barrett gave me mermaid vibes while Magnifique delivered vintage Hollywood. (Pretty nice way to lose your blowout virginity.)
But if I'm spending my own money, you won't find me walking down 5th Ave. with a Benjamin when I can get a bomb-ass blowout for under $50.
I will admit, I did strut out of Bergdorf Goodman like a Victoria's Secret model who just got her wings.
