You’ve got the dress. You’ve got the date. Now all you need are the finishing touches.
Whether you’re getting ready to go to prom, homecoming, a wedding, a formal, a photo shoot, a reunion or another big event, if you want to look your best, Boulder’s got you boo, like a knowledgeable big sister.
There are plenty of high-quality hair salons and makeup artists in town, but two businesses stand out as our go-to stops when we want to shine.
Here’s where to go to get your hair and makeup done in Boulder.
Get Your Hair Done Here: Blo Blow Dry Bar
Of course, many of Boulder’s hair salons can handle updos, curls, braids and blow-outs. But it can be hard to get an appointment, not to mention expensive, depending on what you’re getting. That’s where the Blo Blow Dry Bar comes in. This unique hair salon doesn’t cut or color. It only washes and styles. Because that’s its focus and speciality, you can expect the best job possible.
Blo stylists are trained to knock out the perfect updo quickly (in about 45 minutes), seven days a week with no appointment necessary (walk-ins welcome) and with no pressure to “trim a little off” or up-sell you on more treatments. It opens as early as 7 a.m., if you need to spruce up for a full day, or stays open as late as 9 p.m. by appointment.
Blo, in the 1600 block of Pearl Street, is located right in downtown within walking distance to some of Boulder’s best restaurants; so you can get your hair did and go straight to dinner. If you can’t make it to the salon, you can order the Blo Bridal service for a style on location.
Blo also does makeup, if you want to knock out your full look in one stop.
You can pick from seven signature styles, plus add on things like hair extensions, head massages and braids. Options include Executive Sweet (razor-straight) or the looser, runway-inspired Pillow Talk.
Blo is part of the world’s largest “blow dry bar” franchise. It has about 100 locations across the United States, Canada and the Philippines.
Get Your Face Done Here: Alchemy Face Bar
Alchemy, 2701 Canyon Blvd., is where to go for “all things face.” It offers makeup, treatments for lashes and brows and various facials (from deep to quick), as well as special treatments for the lips, eyes, neck and even massages. Tint, wax, peel, fill, extract, moisturize, you name it.
If a picture-perfect look for a night out is what you need, Alchemy Face Bar offers makeup applications, consultations and lessons. Pick from a list of makeup services, from the Everyday Look (a lighter application, with no brow shaping, false lashes or contouring) to Photo Ready (the full deal). The best bet for a date or dance would be the Special Occasion application, which includes brow filler and falsies if you want. Or if you’re on a budget or time constraint, you can request to get the eyes only done and finish the rest of the look yourself.
One thing that makes Alchemy Face Bar stand out is it has its own line of makeup products, Alchemy Minerals; in fact, the makeup came before the face bar. Alchemy Minerals are pure, natural and made in the United States, designed to improve the health of your skin. The makeup is made out of naturally occurring bismuth. So it has no parabens or weird ingredients. Not only will you look beautiful, but you’ll feel good, too.
