Think Drybar meets Uber, a blowout that you can order to your home or office with the touch of a button. This idea fueled the creation of the app Blownaway, a new addition to Dallas’ booming beauty industry.
Blownaway was born in February when CEO Smoot Carter teamed up with a friend who came up with the idea. The two of them were struck by the phenomena of Drybar and Uber and decided to combine the two concepts. Carter funded the app, whose development took about five months.
“We’re taking all the guesswork out,” said Jenn Cruse, head of marketing at Blownaway. “It’s convenient and the price is on point.”
The app lets you order a blowout, updo, makeup appointment or a combination of the three from your smartphone. There are a number of party options as well, with various discounts for larger groups.
I scheduled my own appointment through Blownaway for a friend and I before a night out on the town. The app and website are both aesthetically pleasing and easy to use. Samantha, our friendly stylist, arrived right on time. We were her third ever Blownaway appointment.
Blownaway offers six blowout styles to choose from, as well as a custom option. I told Samantha I wanted the “Nightclub” style, but less voluminous and with more defined waves, and she was on board. My friend ordered a “CEO” but with a few curls. Samantha’s bag contained a number of different brand name hair product lines in case we had a preference.
The entire process took about an hour and a half. I’ve only had a few blowouts in my life, excluding getting my hair styled after a cut, so I’m not a snob about hair care. But the appointment was convenient and relaxing, more so than going to a salon for the same service. I’ll admit I felt a little bit like a princess when Samantha showed up at my door like my own personal hairstylist. She was professional, too, and I could tell she had beauty experience.
Our locks looked just as voluptuous as they do after any blowout, and by the time Samantha headed out, we were ready to hit Uptown.
Blownaway already has a lot going on in its first year. The app is partnering with boutiques such as Kendra Scott, the Blues Jean Bar and Milk and Honey for “Girls’ Night Out” parties.
The company has also launched a Social Butterfly program for high school and college students, as well as postgraduates, who are interested in marketing and public relations opportunities.
“This is for anyone who has a voice on campus and is passionate about hair and beauty and fashion,” said Cruse.
On top of it all, customers can purchase $65 gift cards and choose one of four charities to receive 20 percent of the funds: Nexus Recovery Center, Inc., Dress for Success, New Friends New Life or the Children’s Cancer Fund. The company also plans to provide hair and makeup styling for various fashion shows in the area, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
There are plans for Blownaway to expand to cities across the country, but Cruse and the rest of the team are grateful for the response their product has received in the area.
“Thank you to everyone in the Dallas community,” she said. “It’s Dallas-based and Dallas started and we’re really the first people to come here and do what we’re doing.”
Visit Blownaway’s website to download the app, or for more information about events, the Social Butterfly program or to book an appointment.
