I have spent countless hours over the years sitting in my stylist’s chair as she tames my tresses for special occasions — and just everyday life. Without her, I look like Sideshow Bob (ask my husband, he’ll tell you all about it). I barely survived her maternity leave after the arrival of her son, so one would have thought I would have been more prepared to tackle my own hair thanks to a global pandemic… but N-O-P-E. I got caught with my pants down, flustered trying to figure out what to do with my hair while “nonessential” businesses are closed.
I woke up at 4 a.m. one morning to wash and condition my hair and attempted to style it as my hairstylist does in sections (I even purchased the hair products she suggested) — three full hours later I was finally done and my kids were just waking up for the day. My 4-year-old looked at me and asked, “Mommy, what are you doing in here?” as her eyes got big with emphasis, and when I said I was doing my hair, she respond with, “Okay, Mommy, FINISH your hair.” Needless to say, I was deflated seeing as I was already finished. So, there you have it. I wasted three hours doing my hair, and it was not actually done correctly or finished according to the standards of my 4-year-old daughter.
Honestly, I was very annoyed that hairstylists (all hair salons in our area) were required to be involuntarily closed for several weeks, as I know stylists are educated on proper sanitation. The hair salons I am familiar with are immaculate when it comes to cleanliness because they take pride in what they do. Additionally, beauty salons are subject to random inspections of their facility, and their safety and sanitation procedures are often thoroughly reviewed. Modified appointments to avoid crowded conditions could easily be accommodated.
Hairstylists are licensed professionals who touch people for a living, and that itself is a privilege that few professions have, and they are trained and prepared to protect clients from the transmission of infectious diseases.
Going to the hair salon is more than just getting my hair groomed. My stylist and I catch up like old girlfriends because we have, in fact, become great friends over the years. Yes, we were once strangers, but now we are like sisters from another mister. Seriously, we don’t talk every day, but when I’m in her chair we cry, laugh, and have the most heartfelt conversations, and sometimes we even have those “come to Jesus” talks. I am blessed to have a hair goddess like my hairstylist. Getting my hair slayed was my time to renew not only my physical appearance but also my spirit. It was a small break from my children, husband, household responsibilities, and all the things I juggle.
So a big thank you to all the hairstylists who aren’t deemed essential. I know that I am not alone when I say you are, in fact, VERY essential.
The Good News: Most Florida barbershops, hair salons, and nail salons have been given the green light to reopen on Monday, May 11.
