Blownaway: Beauty and Philanthropy Are a Tap Away

Innovative new company Blownaway recently launched in Dallas to bring beauty to your door.  Now you can get a blowout in the comfort of your own home and help four charities.  When you buy a blowout through this Sunday, 20% will go directly to the charity of your choice.

The campaign goes through this Sunday so please buy a blowout and support some great causes!  Click on the image below to purchase a $65 gift card, good for a blowout.  You can use the gift card up to 60 days after you purchase.  Here are the charities you can support:

• Nexus Recovery Center - substance abuse recovery services for low-income women
• Dress for Success - promotes financial independence and career tools through providing professional attire to women
• New Friends, New Life - helps teen girls and women who are victims of trafficking and sexual abuse
• Children's Cancer Fund - benefits pediatric cancer treatments and research in North Texas

Special thanks to Lisa Petty, editor of DFW Style Daily, for giving me this information.

The Blaine's Dallas Salon Experience

  
When my skin is pasty and my hair is a mess, now I trust Blaine's Dallas to glam me up.  I recently visited the chic McKinney Avenue salon in Uptown for a blowout and spray tan.  Owner Blaine Schlaudt has been making Dallas more beautiful for the past 18 years, and has been a hair expert for almost 30 years.  He not only did a fabulous job on my hair, he was also sweet and easy to talk to.  I can say the same for his wife Sharon, who co-operates the salon and does killer spray tans.  All of the Blaine's associates that I met are professional but also very FRIENDLY, which is essential for me to have a positive salon experience.

I was impressed to find that the service pricing at Blaine's is competitive, and in several cases substantially better than other salons in Dallas.  The space is also more modern and comfortable than any other place I've tried in the past.  Plus, Blaine's is conveniently a full-service salon.  Besides nails, they do everything you need and more.  Getting ready for a big event, or primping just for fun, is less stressful when you only have to go to one place.  You can even buy Blaine's hair products to treat your hair, Blaine's-style, at home.  My favorite product from the line is the dry shampoo, which I used to keep my blowout looking good the next day.  

When you go to Blaine's, you'll receive exceptional customer service.  When you arrive, just leave your car in the front and someone will park it for you... sweet!  I was also offered water or a mimosa while being kindly greeted by the lovely Brittany.  My blowout lasted until the day after and looked even better with Blaine's dry shampoo.  The spray tan lasted 7-10 days and faded off evenly, just like Sharon said it would.  When I left, I couldn't stop smiling.  Blaine made my bad hair day a good one and I know he'll do the same for you too!  Find out more information on the Blaine's Dallas website.  

Steal my Style: Trina Turk dress (similar here); Kate Spade necklace (similar here); Sam Edelman wedges

Blownaway App Streamlines Your Blowout

Blownaway app screenshot

Are you ready to be blown away? Then download the new Blownaway app - a brand-new service that streamlines your routine while getting all dolled up for an event.  Your hair will be one less worry for you on your special night... or just for fun!  Just download the app, choose your preferred hairstyle, and pick a date. I like this concept because it saves you the hassle of going somewhere to get a blowout. And it hasn't been done before, either. The stylist will literally bring a blowout straight to your door. 

The app officially launched last week with a celebration at Dee Lincoln's Bubble Bar. The party was packed - I think it's safe to say Dallas is Blownaway. 

Do La La: Pouf at Mockingbird Station + SMU Special this Friday!

With so many blowout salons popping up in Dallas, it's difficult to know which one is the best without some trial and error.  And while they're all good, my favorite so far is Pouf at Mockingbird Station.  It's a fun, relaxing place to get your hair and makeup done in a really cute atmosphere.  I stopped by today and got my hair done just for fun.  Allison did a fabulous job on my voluminous curls!  I recommend asking for her.  She did exactly what I wanted.  Plus, she gave me some awesome hairstyling tips!

 

SMU Students in Dallas for the summer... Listen up!

This Friday, SMU students get 50% off all services and 20% off products.  Take a break from summer school studying to get Pouf'ed... just in time for the weekend.  Pouf doesn't just do blowouts, so check out all of the services offered online.  Make an appointment on Pouf's website or call them at (972)827-7683.  But don't forget to bring your SMU ID! 

Project Emilie: Partyin' With Larry North

Back in September, Larry North Fitness celebrated its seventh anniversary at Preston & Royal.  If you've been following Project Emilie, you know that she does a strict exercise program at Larry North.  I knew that she had lots of friends at the gym, but I didn't realize how big of a celebrity Emilie is at Larry North.  What's so funny is that she only works out once a week (and that's generous), yet she's had such an impact on all of these people.  Trainers, managers, and her fellow gym members LOVE her, and I think it's so cute!     

Neighbors of the gym joined in to make the evening special, including a team of stylists from The Hair Bar to do hair and makeup touch-ups.  Guests were also encouraged to help Larry raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

 Whenever swag is involved, Em is there!

 A day in the life of Emilie: multiple stylists working on her at the same time.

 Us with Larry North.  He's such a nice guy and LOVES Emilie!

Mockingbird Station is FALL-ing for Fashion Fun!

What an awesome, busy month it has been.  School has been overwhelming to say the least, but Mockingbird Station has been the place where I can unwind with friends and fashionistas.  During the first week of school, I got the opportunity to host the Station's Back to School Beauty Night at Castle and Pouf.  Last week, I tweeted and styled a look at the What to Wear Style Lab event.  Mockingbird Station is a super-cool shopping center in Dallas, right across Central Expressway / 75 from SMU.

At Back to School Beauty Night, students and stylistas alike got pedis at Castle Nail Spa and blowouts and hairstyles at Pouf.  Both Mockingbird Station beauty destinations are exceptional.  I bet you're wondering who the VIPs were that night.  It wouldn't be a night of pampering without Project Emilie star Aunt Emilie.  Mom (Elaine) and other auntie (Lou Lou) joined us to help support Genesis Women's Shelter.  Mockingbird station introduced old friend Elizabeth West to pedicures and Pouf blowouts, woohoo!

What to Wear fall 2013 at Mockingbird Station was another fabulous success.  Priya Bhola Rathod of DFW Style Daily and Via Priya was an amazing host.  She put some audience members on the spot by asking how they would rock the runway styles.  That night was all about runway looks for less while putting your own spin on it with fashions from Movida Boutique, Lavo Collections, Francesca's, and more!  Fashion writer and stylist Abby Gregory put together the runway looks.  Me, @small4style, was the live tweeter for @mockingbirdsta with the help of Jasmin Brand of @brandpointe (PS follow us all on Twitter!).  After the show, I caught up with the fabulous Sean Charles of Sean in the City.  

What is Mockingbird Station going to do next?  Stay tuned on Mockingbird's Facebook page and here on Small 4 Style to find out!    

Runway-Ready Hair in Real Life

Having runway-ready hair every day would be awesome, but let's get real.  Behind the scenes at the runway shows, we all know those models aren't doing their own hair.  Most of us don't have access to the world's top hair pros, but that doesn't mean we can't get that runway hair in real life.  In honor of my love of the runway, I've added Organix Blow Out Cream and Ouidad Styling Mist to my beauty routine for model-esque hair when I'm working all of life's runways.  

The Organix Blow Out Cream has nourishing Moroccan Oil, which is something I've been hearing about but had never tried before.  It makes my hair smooth and shiny.  I set my style with the Ouidad Styling Mist, which is like hairspray with more flexibility.  My hair stays in place without looking like I have helmet-hair.

So all of this sounds great when you've freshly styled your hair, but I put these products to the test in real life.  In 100+ degree weather at the SMU football game, the humidity didn't get to my hair.  On the golf course, my hair stayed flyaway-free.  Most importantly, at Yvonne Crum's ultra-chic, fancy fashion event, my hair was mingle-ready.  

Supermodel or not, we all need to have fantastic hair.  I absolutely love using the Organix Blowout Cream and the Ouidad Styling Mist because they're perfect for all of life's runways!

Capelli Salon Dallas BYOB Party

If you weren't at Capelli Salon on Monday night, you missed out.  Capelli held a BYOB (Bring Your Own Blowdryer) Party to teach guests how to do a salon blowout at home.  I was lucky enough to get a one-on-one blowout lesson from Capelli's owner, Younes Ounzar.  He showed me what coiffed hair really means.  Capelli Salon is one of the top salons in Dallas, and the best place to get hair extensions.  The owner and staff are excellent and couldn't have been nicer.  You will not have as much fun getting your hair blown out anywhere other than Capelli Salon.