There are some 42,000 hair salons in the UK and at the time of writing, every one is closed. I miss them dreadfully – the roar of competing dryers, the fug of lacquer, the happy chatter between trusted stylist and loyal client – but nothing like as much as salons miss their livelihoods. These are dark times for all, of course, but particularly for the service industry.
Hairdressers generally earn a basic wage, plus a percentage of their appointments and tips. Without customers, all will struggle. But there are ways we can help them, now. If you’re fortunate enough to still be earning a full salary, consider pre-paying for your next appointment or three with gift vouchers bought online. This keeps cash flowing during lockdown, helping staff to get paid.
Another way to have their backs is by replenishing your hair products not through Amazon or supermarkets, but by buying from your hairdresser’s website where possible.
L’Oréal Professionnel, whose Tecni Art Pli spray (£16.10, 190ml) is probably the most-used hair styling product in photoshoot history, is available widely online via a network of salons. Use it to add grip to slippy hair, volume to flat roots and hold to thick locks. It’s truly fantastic.
Ditto Aveda, which specialises in botanical ingredients, more sustainable packaging and delicious aromas. I’m never without its Damage Remedy Daily Hair Repair (£25, 100ml), a leave-in treatment to condition, protect hair from heat and smooth snaggly ends, with none of that waxy, lank, heavy feeling I get from others. Aveda salons have a microsite on the main website, so sales benefit them directly.
Even when your finances are looking shaky, it’s possible to help by following your favourite salon on Instagram and Facebook, and interacting with its posts. A busy, helpful social media presence will keep the business relevant and awareness constant during lockdown, and may attract new clients for when it’s all over.
Salon accounts are also a fantastic source of advice and tips. Look out for Instagram TV (IGTV) tutorials and consider one of the many online video consultation services available during the crisis – top London salons, such as Josh Wood and Hershesons, are offering one-to-one Zoom advice on how to maintain your style at home (free, or £10 to NHS charities, respectively). It gives you personal access to top-tier experts and keeps valuable stylists in the game, where they rightfully belong.
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