Blow-dry Bars Doing Good Business Despite Recession

Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

1. to take someone/something by storm (idiom) [too, tuh] [teyk] [suhm-wuhn, -wuh n]/[suhm-thing] [bahy] [stawrm] – to gain popularity quickly, or to attract people completely

Example: Mao Asada took the world by storm because of her excellent skills in figure skating.

2. blow-dry (n.) [bloh-drahy] – to dry hair and give it shape by using an electric hairdryer

Example:  Katy gave her hair a quick blow-dry after taking a shower.

3. sweet deal (n. phrase) [sweet] [deel] – a business deal in which one can get an advantage (cheap prices, good service, etc.)

Example: The client got a sweet deal from the hairstylist because of the salon’s promo.

4. cater (v.) [key-ter] – to provide to the needs or wants of a particular group.

Example: High-end salons cater to celebrities and rich people alike. 

5. fleeting (adj.) [flee-ting] – passing or happening only for a short period of time

Example: The blooming of cherry blossoms is very fleeting.

Article
Read the text below.

The blow-dry bar is the latest trend that has taken America by storm. Instead of the usual hair salon services like hairstyling or coloring, clients can get a professional shampoo and blow dry for just $35. Adrienne Zubia, a college student, considers this a sweet deal compared to high-end salons that demand prices as high as $80 to $90 per cut or to discount salons that do not provide good services. She is willing to save $35 a week to get her hair done. Alli Webb, founder of Drybar, thinks that her shop does not only provide customers with a simple blow-dry but makes them feel happy and confident after each visit. She put up her first salon in Los Angeles, and in two years she has already opened 16 blow-dry bars in America. She expects to open another nine blow-dry bars next year. Drybar has catered to celebrities like Julia Roberts and Cindy Crawford. My Blow L.A. is another blow-dry bar that has gained popularity since it opened two years ago. It is owned by Gretty Hasson, who quickly earned profit after only a month of business in Beverly Hills. Hasson considers starting the business during the recession period an advantage.  Women who used to pay $70 a week in the salon can get their hair done twice a week at the blow-dry bar. And those who can’t afford to pay $70 to get their hair done can now do so for only $35. Hasson will open up a new blow-dry bar soon, because she believes that blow-dry bars are more than a fleeting trend. Blow-dry bars attract both career women and housewives. A lot of these bars also offer other services and entertainment such as sparkling wine, snacks, and movies.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A 

·         Why do you think blow-dry bars are becoming popular?

·         If blow-dry bars were opened in your country, do you think they would be successful?

Discussion B

·         Is spending for fashion a wise way to use money? Why or why not?

·         How can people balance their spending between necessities and luxuries?

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