Best of New York 2012 • Health & Self

• Blow
  Clubby blowout salon.
  342 W. 14th St., nr. Ninth Ave.; 212-989-6282
  VS
  Drybar
  Perky California challenger.
  4 W. 16th St., nr. Fifth Ave.; 212-561-5392; and 119 W. 56th St., nr. Sixth Ave.; 212-561-5392

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  Opens weekdays at
  Blow: 8 a.m.
  Drybar: 7 a.m.

  Price
  Blow: $40 to $60; depending on hair length and texture; flat-ironing is an additional $10
  Drybar: $40 flat rate for any head

  Vibe
  Blow: Black-and-fuchsia décor sets a decidedly meatpacking-district mood
  Drybar: Sunny and casual, with a yellow-and-white color scheme

  Clientele
  Blow: Gussied-up fashion types in leather leggings and red-soled heels
  Drybar: Chatty post-sorority professionals and mother-daughter pairs

  Level of stylist chatter
  Blow: A steady stream of salon-standard small talk
  Drybar: After initial pleasantries, will leave you to your magazine

  Products
  Blow: Blow’s own sulfate- and paraben-free line
  Drybar: Moroccan Oil and L’Oréal

  Complimentary Sustenance
  Blow: Water, but you’ll have to ask for it
  Drybar: Champagne, coffee, tea, and cookies

  Entertainment
  Blow: Requisite stack of fashion and lady mags
  Drybar: Flat-screens playing chick flicks (The Notebook, Crazy Stupid Love)

  Notable fans
  Blow: Gucci Westman, Julie Gilhart
  Drybar: Cindy Crawford, Zooey Deschanel, Emma Roberts

  After the blowout, you'll look like
  Blow: Kim Kardashian (loose, voluminous curls)
  Drybar: Jennifer Aniston (sleek and flippy strands)

  What else?
  Blow: Updos, extensions, straightening, cuts, color, and nails
  Drybar: Updos, Shirley Temple blowouts for kids, at-home services

  Presentation
  Blow:
  Drybar:

  Cancellation policy
  Blow: Within 24 hours, you’ll be charged ($40)
  Drybar: No charge, if you call

  Winner
  Drybar wins, thanks to its two locations, extra-early hours—and mood-boosting Ryan Gosling flicks.

From the 2012 Best of New York issue of New York Magazine