Last week I attended the launch of Blo Out & Refresh, Dundee’s new blow dry bar and beauty salon. Located right across from the Malmaison hotel, Blo Out & Refresh is in a prime location (particularly ahead of the waterfront development) within the city – I mean, who could say no to a fresh-to-death blow dry before nipping over the road to Malmaison for a cocktail in one of Dundee’s most stylish bars?
Founded by Valerie Williams (below), Blo Out & Refresh will offer blow dries, “hair ups” and cut and colouring, as well as other beauty treatments including manicures and lashes, while also carrying out non-surgical cosmetic treatments such as Botox and teeth whitening. Like any other good sized city, Dundee has lots of hair and beauty salons, but Blo Out & Refresh is more of a blow dry and nail “bar” – perfect for women (and men) who want to be beautified, A-SAP, before an important event or party. It’s a great idea because, as a society, we’ve become so busy with work and play that spending too much time on looking good just isn’t an option (other than obligatory spa days, facials and body contouring treatments which, quite simply, can’t be rushed). However, we want to be able to look good, and feel good, without worrying about the ticking clock. Yes, we need a blow dry before an important interview or a night on the town, but we’ve got kids to run around, exercise regimes to stick to, families to visit and houses to clean (to name just a few of life’s responsibilities), so spending two hours on our hair alone just isn’t justifiable – and that’s why blow out bars and nail bars are a godsend to the 21st century woman.
So, of course, the arrival of Blo Out & Refresh in Dundee is rather exciting, and the launch party was a huge success; the pink champagne and customised cupcakes went down a treat, as did the VIP guest – TOWIE’s Mario Falcone was nothing short of a gentleman, smiling for selfies and mingling with the rather excitable and beautifully blown out female guests. The launch was organised by Dundee’s fabulous Red Pepper Events, and it was one of the most gorgeous events I’ve been to in Dundee. Due to the huge turnout, there simply wasn’t space to try out any of the treatments at the party, but I’m looking forward to making an appointment very soon – I’m thinking a blow out with my bestie before showing it off across the road. Any excuse for a Cosmo, eh?
Above images: Karen Jackson
(Sorry for the poor quality photograph of Mario and me – my personal photographer was off snowboarding in the French Alps).
