Blow Dry Bar Jen Ryan Interview

Blow Dry Bar Jen Ryan Interview

The Blow Dry Bar It is one of the fastest growing franchises in Australia and is fast becoming the destination for females who seek consistent service and value in their beauty regime. What's more, $40.00 for a blow dry (including the wash and massage) is a steal these days – and some would say the best and cheapest pick me up!

They have salons all over Australia and at the moment Blow Dry Bar Melbourne Central (Victoria) are celebrating their 1st birthday! To celebrate this milestone, the salon are offering customers an opportunity to come into the salon and chose from one of three key hair trends to come out of Fashion Week recently, to be created on themselves. The master stylist that will be recreating these looks is the fabulous Jen Ryan!

The three signature styles they will be recreating are:
Alex Perry: A minimalist look with hair tied back into a loose chignon, while still remaining beautiful and elegant
Bronx and Banco: A simple look that exudes style in a modern, chic way
We Are Handsome: A 70s inspired look that is playful, refreshing and glamorous.

Interview with Jen Ryan

Having been in the industry for over 10 years, Jen Ryan started at the very young age of 13 in Suffolk, England, as an attentive helper who earned her keep by washing hair and sweeping floors. About five years ago Jen came down to Australia for a visit with 10 close friends and never left! Now she is the leading stylist at Melbourne Central's Blow Dry Bar.

Jen has worked backstage with some of the country's most esteemed hairdressers such as Kevin Murphy and Joey Scandizzo, as well as worked at a number of major fashion events including L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival, Melbourne Spring Fashion Week and Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival.

As the salon's Master Stylist, Jen prides herself on her ability to look after her clients from start to finish, and believes that a good blow-dry should boost confidence because every woman deserves to look and feel great. Her specialities include working with all aspects of colour and she also loves nothing more than a big voluminous blow-dry.

Question: What inspired the idea for the Blow Dry Bar three signature styles?

Jen Ryan: We wanted to offer the most current looks that were trending off the runway from MBFWA but yet are still suitable for everyday wear.


Question: Which of these three styles has been the most popular?

Jen Ryan: Definitely the -We are Handsome' look. There are lots of big bouncy curls in our salon at the moment and I think it's a fun, playful look coming into winter.

Question: It costs $40.00 for a blow dry (including the wash and massage) – how long are Aussies in the Blow Dry Bar?

Jen Ryan: We allow 30 minutes for almost all of our blow-dries and an extra 15 minutes for any GHD styling or long thick hair. But that is the beauty of the Blow Dry Bar – express blow waves to take you from desk to dance floor in minutes!


Question: Why do you believe the Blow Dry Bar has become one of the fastest growing franchises in Australia?

Jen Ryan: It's because our customers are looking for consistent service and value in their beauty regime and that is what Blow Dry Bar offers! A great blow wave makes a girl ooze confidence, which is why our blow dries are an affordable pick-me-up any time of the day.


Question: What's your favourite part of your job?

Jen Ryan: I love nothing more than the satisfaction of transforming a client's look - it just makes their day.


Question: Where do you look for your hair inspirations?

Jen Ryan: I follow other stylists and salons on Instagram and Pintrest and I'm always on fashion websites looking at upcoming trends and styles.


Question: Is there a certain time period or celebrity you look to for inspiration?
Jen Ryan: I love how Rihanna changes her look and isn't afraid to make a bold statement.


Question: What inspired you passion for hairstyling?

Jen Ryan: I entered a competition without really thinking about it and then when I actually won it, it made me so much more passionate and eager to keep on striving – plus I realised, I must be good at this!


Question: You began work in England, what do you like about working in Australia?

Jen Ryan: In some ways there are a lot of similarities between the two countries, but I think I love the evolving styles of Melbournian fashion.


Question: Describe your signature hairstyle?

Jen Ryan: My favourite cut would have to be a classic graduated bob as I love clean sharp lines, a.k.a sasoon style!


Question: What is your least favourite hair style of today?

Jen Ryan: It has to be guys with overgrown hair.

Question: What do you enjoy most about your work at the Blow Dry Bar?

Jen Ryan: I love being able to educate and train my team and see their passion and amazing work come through when they style.


Question: What advice do you have for others wanting to become a leading stylist?

Jen Ryan: Number one would be to work hard at what you do, always give 110% and attend as many educational seminar/classes as possible.


Interview by Brooke Hunter