COVID-19: Tips for Your Hair

I have been licensed to perform hair services in Washington state since 2010.

Currently I work as a stylist at Great Clips and I love my job.

March 16th was the last day I was legally allowed to perform services and it's looking to be until at least the end of April before I will be back, so I wanted to take this time to talk some hair and offer some tips!

Disclaimer: I am not offering any specific techniques or trade secrets, just trying to help bridge the gap since I know we're all dying to get back into, or in my case behind, the chair!

CUTS-

For men, clippers are the way to go! You can buy any at home kit from drugstores or online, just make sure you clean and oil them to help them last longer.

For women, please avoid any kind of layer tutorials. They just never turn out good. If your hair is long, only cut split ends you can see. I've heard people call this "micro trimming" although that's not a technical term, in the chair it's still just a haircut. If your hair is short, I'd recommend the same, but have someone else do it.

As for me, I bought some clip in extensions online to curb my temptation!

If you want to make your cut last longer and save your ends, make sure you're treating your body well! What we put in our body, is what nourishes our hair follicles. Keep up on your vitamins and hydration!

Make sure to condition as needed for your hair type -

Dry? Your products may have too much alcohol or sulfates. Check your ingredients. Shampoo less often, use deep conditioner once a week and a daily leave in to use everytime you wash.

Oily? Often actually indicates your products are drying you out and your body is overproducing oils. Again, check your ingredients. Go as long as you can without washing, use some dry shampoo, switch to a moisturizing line.

Dandruff? Many people actually confuse dry scalp for dandruff, which would be treated differently. If you scratch your scalp and a snowstorm ensues, it's more likely just dry skin (see above recommendations). If it feels sticky and has a yellow tint to it, then it is more likely dandruff. There are many shampoos that contain higher levels of zinc, which is sometimes used to treat dandruff. If you do suspect dandruff and cannot get rid of it, please consult with a dermatologist (dandruff can also be contagious!)

BANGS-

Don't do it unless you have done your own before. Trust and believe, cowlicks and bangs are one of my specialties and I would strongly discourage anyone from trying to do them unless they are 100% familiar with them.

MATS / TANGLES -

If the hair is dry, LEAVE IT DRY. If it's wet it will make things so much more difficult. If anything, spray a leave in conditioner. If you dont have a leave in conditioner, put a couple of pumps of your daily conditioner in a spray bottle with plain water. Start at the very ends of the hair and work in as small of sections as possible. Start with a wide tooth comb and work your way up. Please be prepared to do this for several hours if you have a tangly one. Don't be afraid to take a break, just clip it up and pick up later.

COLOR-

Non-professional colors seem harmless but please be aware of every risk you're taking before you make the decision to go box. These boxes typically come with an activator, and there is no way to know what strength is used. So even though you may be trying to go darker, you could be blowing your cuticle by using the included activator. We also don't know how long these boxes have been sitting on the shelf, or in the warehouse where the color and activator could be affected. The color on the box, is almost always, not the color you are going to get.

When the color comes out differently than you anticipated, keep in mind you may not even be able to get a color correction service. Hair lightener is a powerful chemical in general, but when mixed with certain dyes can be catastrophic to your hair. I have seen hair melt off, smoke, or fall out in chunks, because of this.

When a box tells you "semi" or "demi" permanent, this does not mean it will wash out. Remember when mom got pissed because dads red shop rag ended up with the white socks? Yes there are remedies, but never an easy one. 

Corrective color services can cost at minimum $100/hr, can take d a y s to treat, and even then the integrity of your hair cannot be guaranteed.

s a f e r . o p t i o n s

If you get an itch, there are a few safer options that don't cost a fortune and won't cause your stylist to go into a mental breakdown.

➡️Use some spray on root touch up or color powder - I've never personally used any, but have seen it used. Only downside - you have to reapply everytime you wash.

➡️Use color wax or chalk! These are perfectly safe and wash right out.

➡️Change up your part! Using a rough or zigzag part will help you disguise how much grow out is really there. Use some root pump  before blow drying or dry shampoo on slept-in hair to get some volume. Backcomb (tease) to roughen it up as well.

➡️Use headbands or clips to draw attention away.

➡️When all else fails, wear some chunky statement necklaces or a colorful shirt to draw attention away.

PRODUCT-

Please do not trust any professional product that is not sold by an authorized professional salon. Again, these products can sit in a warehouse for months or even years. They can separate, or even be watered down or replaced with a completely different product. I have seen products on drugstore shelves that had been discontinued multiple years ago. Yikes!

TAKE A BREAK-

As for myself, I am keeping heat off my hair, letting it air dry, and using nothing but leave in conditioner and a little bit of oil. I am giving my hair a chemical break as well, waiting until I can go back to work to cover up my growout. I've been trying out hairstyles that keep my ends out of my face to ignore the fact that I seriously need a trim. 

SUPPORT -

We need your support! We understand your needs, especially those still able to go to work, those still working via Zoom or Skype. We hear you! Please continue to use social distancing and listen to your local government. If you see something you want changed, do something about it! We are bound by law, n o t to service our clients, regardless of where the service would be performed. Solicitation of illegal services is also punishable by law. Please be respectful of those following current health guidelines, who are not willing to risk losing their license or business, a misdemeanor, fine, or all of the above. We very much look forward to the other side of the curve and being able to see our clients as soon as possible! Stay home, stay healthy! ❤

Haley

Any questions or concerns can be addressed on Instagram @notanothersinglemom