As salons reopen along the Coast and throughout the state, anticipate some changes.
“We know everyone is itching to get back in the salon, but the unfortunate side is that there will be limitations,” says Erin Glisson, owner of Brushes Salon in Gulfport.
As the state gradually reopens and resumes business, professionals like Glisson expect the nature of their work will be different — at least for a while. They’re also bracing to be busy, she adds, but have limited openings due to restrictions on how many people can gather in one place.
“We are looking to have waiting clients stay in their cars until their stylists comes to get them,” Glisson says. “Furthermore, expect things such as masks, sanitizers and even infrared temperature checks to be mandatory.”
The new requirements and restrictions will slow stylists down slightly, Glisson says, so she recommends clients book in advance, “as we will most likely not be able to take walk-ins for a bit.”
“Remember we are a very up-close-and-personal business,” she adds. “We are doing everything we can to step up our game beyond our normal high standards, but there is, of course, still some risk.”
Amber Bosarge Lord, owner of Salon Rouge in Ocean Springs, advises that when you can return to your salon, check to see what protocols are in place prior to your appointment. Before having to close, Lord says, Salon Rouge staff were taking precautions like having guests wash or sanitize their hands as they entered and asking clients to come alone to keep the number of people in the salon down. They also were changing capes out for each person, frequently sanitizing their stations and tools and cleaning their hands between appointments — and clients can count on safety measures continuing.
Some people may feel nervous about booking their first service since the pandemic. To ensure your salon is staying hygienic, Cristina Switzer, stylist with the District Salon in Gulfport, suggests checking that stylists keep plenty of hand sanitizer at their stations and a jar of Barbicide disinfectant for their tools.
“Make sure the stylist basically keeps (her) area clean,” Switzer says.
Ultimately, individual responsibility and good judgment are the best defense against COVID-19, Lord adds.
“The biggest recommendation I would have is if you have any symptoms at all, please reschedule your appointment.”