After hearing that a bonafide blow dry bar {no cuts. no color. just blow outs.} had opened up in Montecito on Coast Village Road, I knew that I had to check it out. Little did I know that I would be {pun intended} blown away by the whole experience. The Coast Village Road location is exclusive enough to give this blow dry bar the necessary caché… but Shine goes above and beyond what is expected and envelopes its clients in the Shine Experience {Shine calls it “affordable indulgence”}. A long white mirrored center bar runs down the meridian of the salon. The chic {and yet simultaneously cozy and comfortable} decor is stunning. I was swept up in a flurry of champagne, cupcakes, and a scalp massage. After a thorough shampoo and conditioning treatment, my hair was swept here and there with great precision. Before I knew it, I emerged with cascading curls and hair that smelled soooooo good {and was softest that it has been in years}. Book your appointment today… or just walk-in {hey, it’s Santa Barbara… and Shine recognizes the flexible schedules of most Santa Barbarians}. At only $35 for a blow dry {yes… pick your jaw up off the floor… the whole experience is only $35} you can’t afford to miss this “affordable indulgence.” Check it out at www.shineblowdrybar.com.
Decor & Dessert: each client is offered something to drink {coffee, water, champagne, a mimosa…} and an adorable gourmet {to-die-for} miniature cupcake upon arrival. There are 3 wash stations and 8 blow dry stations available. The decor is clean and classic with a sprinkling of shabby chic elements and a bit of European charm incorporated, as well. The orchids and ornate mirrors captivated my eyes, while the cupcakes and bubbly had the full attention of my palette. My initial impression of Shine could not have been more positive.
The Shine Experience: I have always had a love/hate relationship with blow outs… mostly because that while having someone wash your hair and massage your scalp feels incredible, it can be hard to focus on that lovely sensation if the washing station at which you are sitting is uncomfortable and if the basin causes your neck to strain. I was pleasantly surprised to lower my head into an ergonomically designed basin with more than enough neck support {I was so comfortable I almost drifted into a mid-afternoon cat nap}. The shampoo and conditioning treatments smelled incredible and left my hair soft and shiny without weighing it down. My stylist asked me questions about what kind of style I was going for and {totally uncharacteristic of me… I guess I was feeling daring} I left it up to her. She made the perfect choice and I left with bouncy {and shiny!} loose spirals.
Overall: I recommend the Shine Experience without hesitation. I left feeling like I had hair that was straight out of a hair commercial {which is a bit of a miracle as I have become known for my messy, bedhead style locks}. With appointments and walk-ins accepted, there is no excuse for you {and your potentially fabulous head of hair} to not waltz into Shine’s doors today.
