Between running errands, picking up the kids from school, grocery shopping and work, it’s difficult for a woman to find some time for herself. Thankfully, if you have an hour and you happen to be near 120th and Blondo, a good spur-of-the-moment pampering just got a lot easier.
Lark Blow Dry Studio is the first of its kind in Omaha and focuses on only one thing: Blowouts. “That concept is huge on the east and west coasts,” says Sara Slimp, Lark’s founder. “By only doing blowouts, it allows us a lot of flexibility for our clients. We’re here to do one thing and to do it well.”
A blowout, for those who don’t know, includes a wash, a blow-dry, and a style of your choice: anything from straight as a board to beach waves or curls. Keep in mind that blowouts aren’t just for feeling pampered. Lark caters to women who want a sleek style for dates, job interviews, business functions, and more.
Unlike many hair studio and spa owners around the Omaha metro, Slimp doesn’t have a background in cosmetology. Laughing, she confesses that she’s actually an accountant by trade. Prior to opening Lark, she had worked in corporate America. While she loved her time there, she was ready for something different.
Slimp says she has a bucket list of things she wishes to accomplish in her lifetime. After leaving her last job, the universe aligned with her decision to open a blow-dry studio. “It just kept happening,” Slimp says. “I found a location. I got a loan. All of a sudden I owned a blow dry studio.” Slimp adds that her background in accounting has been a huge asset for starting a new business.
The studio certainly is a welcoming space. The vibe lingers somewhere between funky and glamorous, yet casual. When you arrive, you’re even offered a tablet, allowing you to read magazines while you wait or as you get your hair done.
“Eventually they set it aside,” Sara mentions. “We don’t take time in our culture to just sit and be. Here, there’s not anyone pulling on you or demanding anything from you. And women need that. The next time women come in they don’t even ask for a tablet.”
Be warned, ladies: If you’re seeking a cut and color in addition to your blow dry, you won’t find that at Lark. Blowouts, which are $40, are the salon’s only offering. Slimp says that keeping things simple gives her more flexibility when working with their clients. Appointments, even those made the day of a desired blow out, are easily bookable from your computer or phone. “When you’re a mom, self-care is so important,” Slimp says. “No matter where you’re at in life—a caregiver, a mom, a busy professional—taking an hour for yourself and getting your hair done makes you feel good.”