Hair SOS: How to Cope When You Need a Cut

Unless you’re lucky enough to live with a salon stylist, the chances are that lockdown has taken its toll on your tresses. If by now, you’re not at the point where it a messy bun or nothing, we salute you. You’re doing better than we are.

 

Although hairdressers have been given the green light, it might still be a long wait until your appointment, whilst hairdressers catch up with their backlog. In the meantime, there are tips and tricks to try in the meantime that don’t include reaching for the scissors. We mean it: step away from the scissors. In fact, now might be a time to invest some time and energy into your hair and how you can use this time to give it the TLC it needs. Here are our tips.

 

Shoot them an email or, if your stylist is active on Insta, try dropping them a DM. They know your hair type and they’re an industry insider – they’ll definitely have some tips for how to keep on top of things before you can get back to them, especially if it guarantees your repeat custom. Remember, they might be self-employed or coming up with new ideas to help the business while we all ride this out, so ask them if they’re running any remote services, like FaceTime consultations or phone calls, and show your support that way.

 

We can’t speak for everyone, but we’re pretty sure that a global pandemic isn’t the ideal time to cut a new fringe. Even if you can get your hands on the right equipment online, the right tools are going to cost you and a few YouTube tutorials will never compare to your hairdresser’s years of training and experience. We understand the urge but try and ride it out if you can. Get creative in the meantime with up-dos and hair accessories. We promise you that cut will be worth the wait once it finally arrives, and it’ll be all the more blissful without an awkward pixie cut to grow out.  

Not only is an at-home spa day an excellent way to spend some time stuck indoors, indulging in yourself a little could mean wonderful things for your hair. Use the extra time you have to lounge around while a hair mask works its magic. Try different treatments (you could even make your own!) and take this socially distant time as the cue to cut the heat and styling out of your hair routine for a while, helping your hair to build itself back up to full strength and shine. Swap your bun for the milkmaid braids you’ve been promising yourself you’ll learn, reducing the stress on those strands, and while you’re there try combing a little moisturising cream or oil through to keep them nourished and protected.

Setting a routine during time at home is important, but if yours involves a shower with a vigorous hair wash every morning, it might be time to think again. Over shampooing, along with the minerals and impurities from your water supply can strip your hair of its natural oils and leave it looking dull or brassy. Instead of washing, try wetting your hair or dive into a new regime to suit your hair type, like co-washing or the Curly Girl Method. You might learn something new, and your hair (and stylist) will thank you for it once you’re back to regular salon visits!