Drybar – Union Square

This was my first time at a place like dry bar. I will say if you are a woman with African American hair that’s natural I would recommend calling first to make sure it’s someone who is familiar with our hair texture. I called and had a very lengthy conversation with a woman at the salon just to make sure they could accommodate what I wanted.
I will say I left pleasantly surprised! I don’t remember the young lady who helped me but she did a very good job. They don’t put any oils or anything like that on your hair so once you get home that might be something to consider. All in all my experience was good and I would definitely go again.

I swear it’s usually a hit or miss at the Drybar and it’s sad to say because I used to love coming to this place for the service and care has definitely gone down with the stylus as they are more rushed and just want to move on to the next client. Experience wasn’t horrible but the end result was not what I asked for. Hair was frizzy at the top and still curly and not smoothed out at all. What happened dry bar?

I have been following this company for some time and found myself blocks from this location. I was welcomed with warm smiles.
My stylist was very helpful pick out my style and then my experience began.
My hair was lathered and cleaned. Dried at warp speed and styled with care. I had a great conversation with my stylist and other fellow ladies getting ready for the day.
My blowout lasted four days and I received nothing but compliments.
Thank you for making me feel as lovely as I looked.

I wanna Update my review for this place and after my bad visit last year I found the perfect hairstylist and I absolutely love his work on my hair and he is totally life saver if your looking to get perfect blowout with nice kind and patient TONY is the right person for you.
I always ask for him to do my hair if he is available and I just loved each time after my visit to dry bar.
I have a long and full hair and before when I visit dry bar I had few people to work on my hair and they all would tell me how much hair I have wow so much… And I kinda see their face they showing me their tired and …
But Tony he is really enjoying his work and he put so much Afford in to his work with patient and I luv it
Highly recommended this place and Ask for Tony !

Flat, lifeless hair AGAIN. Piece of shit products. I will never EVER go back. What a rip-​off.

Both my friend & I made hair appointments for a friend’s wedding and both of us felt we’ve had waaaaay better experiences at other Drybar locations. And, unfortunately, my stylist used way too much product and ended up styling my hair in a manner that I thought I could have done much better myself.

I’ve had two great hair experiences in the last month. I absolutely love getting blowouts; it is the true definition of pampering in my opinion (plus sometimes I’m really too lazy to wash my own hair).
Drybar really makes it easy to make an appointment online, although I wish the website would remember my location preference. Once you check in, the entire process is very efficient from start to finish. Both of my stylists have been very nice and not too chatty, which I appreciate as someone who likes to sit in silence. All of the Drybar products smell great, and my blowout has lasted at least three days before my hair starts to look messy/​dirty. At my first appointment, I had the stylist put vintage waves/​curls in my hair for my themed holiday party and it looked stunning. The second time my stylist tightly curled my hair, which not only looked great, but my hair stayed curly for days on end.
My only constructive criticism is the wait at check in both times. At my first appointment the wait was a half hour (it was around 4pm) which stressed me out a lot. The receptionist would not give me an estimated wait time either. If my hair hadn’t been in such a bad state, I would have cancelled the appointment. The second time the wait was only 5 – 10 minutes, but I really think this could be eliminated if the appointments were an hour long instead of 45 minutes. Both times my blowout was a bit over an hour, so I can see how the stylists fall behind schedule. Unless someone had really thin or short hair, I can’t see how they can complete a full blowout in under 45 minutes.
I’m so glad that the Drybar is close by and that appointments are readily available (I book about a week in advanced). I will definitely be making more visits to get my hair done!

I’m so disappointed with the appointment this time. I arrived on time but I had to wait for a while. Also my stylist wasn’t great. She washed my hair very quick and didn’t leave the condicioner at least for a minute. Right now I’m at home and my hair is dirty and I have to wash it again. Also I’ve chosen the Manhattan and she didn’t even bother to get the hair iron to finish it (I had to tell her) and was rushing all the time to get the next client and nobody affered me a drink. Worst experience ever! I won’t come back again to Union Square location!

So much fun! Came here for a blowout before a holiday party and could not have been more impressed. The hair walking out was just beautiful – all different colors and textures. These men and women are working hard and everyone was super very nice.

My stylist was Chrissy and she was amazing. I will come here as much as possible now that I know someone can do my hair the way I see the stars wear their hair.
I get a blow out at least 1 time per month at various salons and I have NEVER had someone blow out and style my hair as AMAZING as CHRISSY did. She really is fantastic.
Honestly, I have huge hair, lots of curls, and I love it. My hair is amazing all on it’s own, in it’s natural state. However, it is a skill to get my hair to not be fizzy or curly, or to get the type of style she created last week when getting a blow out. I’ve been to many many salons and have NEVER gotten such a magical result.
When I first arrived I was part of a large group reservation, and of course there were a few issues, no wash sink ready for me, no chair ready for me, the place was POPPIN, Friday evening. But Chrissy apologized, which is totally ok, because I’m a pretty easy going person, and that type of stuff doesn’t bother me. :)
Check out the pics of my stunning style.

Why oh why do I keep giving Drybar chances. I waited almost 35 minutes after my appointment time. The salon is dirty and the receptionists are unhelpful. You ask for a drink that you never receive. Worse yet, you finally get to the Stylist and they are in such a rush because there are 5 other customers just like me waiting. Sub par hair and terrible service. These salons have gone down hill. Never again Drybar. Never again.

After several subpar experiences in the spring and summer at this DryBar outpost, I had given up hope. Poorly scheduled appointments, long waits, and inconsistency among the stylists was the only constant here. I never knew what my hair was going to look like when I left the salon. I decided to give up on this location, and just go to one of the many other hair salons in the area.
(The problems are similar in most cities where DryBar is located. The company has attracted lots of competition these days. Salons nearby all now offer walk-​in blow drys for the DryBar, or lower, price. All of the DB’s I have visited share the problem of inconsistency among stylists, many of whom are right out of school and inexperienced. Across its territories, DryBar needs to get its act together. It must offer value, a «something extra», and must do it consistently across stylists and across locations.)
So, it was with great reluctance that I recently decided to give the Union Square location another try. And, as usual, despite an appointment, I still had to wait an hour. «Sorry, but we had a big group party.» was a very lame excuse. I was about to walk out when I was told that «Rob» was ready for me…
Rob Castner is the new manager of this location, and he quickly diffused my escalating anger and tension. Apologies are just words, but what he was able to do with my hair in less than thirty minutes was the proof in the pudding – it was nothing short of amazing. Rob has worked at several DB locations across the United States, and it appears that management has recognized his talent and ability to train employees, manage a salon, and give clients what they want. It is clear that he was brought in to turn around the Union Square location, and it is also clear that, despite the lapse at the front desk by very recent new hires, Rob is taking control here. He knows not only what his customers desire, but also what his employees need, and how to get the best out of them.
When I went back to the salon days later, things were running much more smoothly. No wait. Rob remembered me by name, and knew exactly what I wanted done. He again performed miracles in less than 30 minutes, and I left the salon with the great hair – and a smile.
Thanks, Rob. Keep up the good work! I hope DryBar clones you so that other locations benefit from your smarts. Fingers crossed…

My Wife just came back from them .She was very upset. She arrived early for her appointment and she waited and waited. After 15 minutes she had to give up .She had appointment to go to and they told her that there was no way they could get her done in time .So she is in the bathroom now trying to fix her hair .What is the point of making an appointment with these people .She will never go back .She was not the only person waiting.

This review is about as flat as my hair today.
15 hours after my blowout, it looks — like, the same as it did when I went in? It’s clean, I’ll give it that. But, yes… not very exciting.
It was a lovely treat, and I love the concept… but (pun intended) it’s fallen a bit flat at the $ 45+tip price tag.

I went here to get my hair done for a company event. Although the experience at Drybar itself was pleasant (my stylist was very friendly!), the results were very subpar so I won’t be back. Within 10 minutes of walking out the door, the curl had completely gone from one side of my head. I was very disappointed — I could’ve saved the $ 50+ and done something far better myself (and used better hair products that would’ve held for more than a few minutes).
I won’t be returning.

I’ve been to several drybar locations but it was my first time at the Union Square location. I frequent drybar enough that I recently got a membership.
Reception:
No one was at the reception desk when I arrived — That was fine. i assumed the receptionist had to step away for a second. But when the receptionist returned a few minutes later, there was no courtesy explanation that you’d normally get from a receptionist. Wasn’t offered any water — this is fine too but not usually what happens at other Drybar locations.
Stylist:
My stylist was pretty friendly and attentive. She mentioned more than once that she’s fast at the blowouts. When I was done, she even mentioned I was done in less than 30 minutes. I don’t know if that should have been emphasized since drybar advertises that its blowout service is for about 40 mins. Less isn’t always more, right?
Hair:
I chose a cosmo. The stylist used a blowdryer and rollers for my hair. I have wavy hair so stylists typically blowout my hair and use a curling iron. She sort of curled the ends of my hair so my hair is still pretty frizzy.
Drybar offers ONE service so I feel like I shouldn’t have to explain that my hair was not blown out. Was my hair worked on? Yes. But what I got was not a blowout.
Is there a manager for each region? If so, please refocus on this location.

This drybar does have stylists that do a good job with their clients, but this last time I went I was very unsatisfied with the experience.
After coming repeatedly and leaving with a well done blowout (a redhead called Erica was great but she left), today I left with a blowout I could have done myself. Since I have thick curly hair using a flat iron is absolutely necessary, but when I asked the stylist to flat iron it she only did the top and bottom, leaving the rest poufy and unfinished. If you have curly hair I strongly advise you against coming here and wasting your time and money.
Side note: If anyone knows where Erica works now please share!

Super convenient location and friendly service. but even though they say «walk-​ins welcome», I would definitely recommend an appointment.
I came here before New Years for a blowout, and I loved the results. They gave me a pretty good loose/​wavy curl that lasted the DAY and night. I loved the products. and though the smell didn’t really do it for me, I received a lot of compliments and the curls in my hair ACTUALLY held even after a long night of dancing.
The thing about stubbornly straight Asian hair is that it is really difficult to find a nice medium where you don’t give it a curl so tightly wound that you end up with a little Annie fro. AND not too loose so that it doesn’t straighten itself out in a matter of minutes. OR you don’t put so much product in it that it sizzles when you curl it. :(You know what I’m talking about.
Drybar did it right. Between Drybar and Blo (on Union), Blo was better because they got rid of my crazy baby-hair-flyaways…but Drybar is just too conveniently located. Would definitely recommend this place out of the places I’ve tried.

Drybar sent me a follow up survey after my appointment (not sure if that is just for the first visit or all of them) and I responded with the same info as in my review below. Within 24 hours I received a call from Tasha, a member of their customer service team (you can also see that the owner/​founder Alli commented below). I missed the call but she left an email address and we have corresponded that way.
Tasha offered another blowout to make up for my experience. Unfortunately there are no Drybar locations anywhere near me but I really appreciated the response. The customer service that Drybar has provided after my appointment has been really great and super responsive.

I have to be honest, I wasn’t expecting much when I arrived. Fast forward to the end of my appt and I’m asking my hairstylist if there is a way I can get my hair permed to permanently look the way she styled it. IT LOOKED LIKE PRINCESS HAIR!!! I seriously did not even recognize myself in the mirror because I have always had stick straight hard to curl Asian hair.
I walked in way too early and checked in with the receptionist. She made kind of a strange comment about me not being a regular customer because I had signed up to be a model for someone in training (aka free blowout!) She never offered me any beverage and I thought maybe it was because I was just a model but both my stylist Ashley and the head stylist offered me a beverage so wtf receptionist?! Rude.
Ashley was AMAZING though. She started out by washing my hair in the comfiest sink ever. I’m usually craning my neck and straining it to no end when I get my hair washed but they have these awesome neck rests connected to the sink! The hair wash lasted around two minutes and I’m not sure if this is typical because I am definitely used to having extremely long hair washes. No worries though! I told her I saw a woman get a wavy at the ends style and asked for the same. I think it was called the Mai-​Tai. I wasn’t able to see my reflection in the mirror because the chair was so low but I had fun watching Pretty Woman on tv and drinking the complimentary coffee.
After an hour it was time for the big reveal and I was shocked! My hair never ever looks like this! (see photo) She told me it would probably fall by the end of the night because I opted out of hairspray and because my hair was so hard to curl. She used a round brush, curling iron, and straightening iron to achieve the look (aka something I could never accomplish on my own!)
The ambiance is so bright and cheery and it was surprisingly busy for a Tuesday afternoon. Definitely ask for Ashley if you plan on stopping by!