While restrictions have eased in many parts of the country, there are still lots of concerns when it comes to going out and getting in close contact with other people. Social distancing is still highly recommended and wearing face coverings are also being pushed by experts.
This is why it’s perfectly understandable if you’re still apprehensive about heading out to your favorite salon. Especially if you often go to a popular one like Great Clips or Dashing Diva, there’s really a high chance that you’ll share an indoor space with quite a few other people.
As you never know who’s a carrier of the virus, exposing yourself for a haircut or a manicure may not seem like a sound idea. Even with the salons’ observance of safety protocols, you still can’t be so sure that you’re not at risk of contracting the virus.
As an alternative, hairstylists and nail technicians are now offering at-home services. This new setup promises less exposure to other people for both the clients and professionals but will still let you get the work you need done by an expert. It’s a win-win for everyone involved, so it’s a highly attractive option.
What are At-Home Hair or Nail Services?
The idea of house calls for hair and nail services may seem foreign to a lot of people but it’s not really a novel concept. Since the tasks involved in such processes don’t always need to be done in a salon, experts can always easily do it elsewhere.
Glam teams do it all the time for celebrities, preparing them for their shoots and appearances in the celebs’ homes, hotels, or even the locations themselves. They also do it for regular folks on special occasions so why not do it during these trying times, too?
The idea is very simple, instead of going to the salon, the hairstylists and nail techs will go to your home instead. So if you’re worried about having to sit in a lobby with 5 other people waiting for their own appointments, having the experts work on you in your home might put you at ease better.
Are House Calls Safer?
There’s no definitive answer to this question as the whole process hasn’t been thoroughly studied by experts just yet. However, by asking professionals to go to your home instead of heading to a salon will significantly lessen the number of people you’ll be in close quarters with. Instead of sitting in a space with a few other people who are waiting for their turns, you’ll only really need to let one person into your home. It seems like a safer tradeoff for some, even if it still comes with risks.
If you opt for house calls, however, you’ll also get better control of the environment you’ll be in. Those with outdoor spaces at home can always just opt to get the work done in their backyards or verandas to ensure better air circulation. You also don’t have to worry about touching shared items and surfaces if you’re at home.
What You Need to Know about Grooming House Calls
Interested in giving it a go? There are a few things you should keep in mind if you wish to get at home hair or nail services:
Check with your favorite salon if they offer at-home services.
Not all salons offer house calls, so check with your go-to place first if they offer such or if they can arrange one for you. If they don’t, there’s a good chance that you’ll find other professionals that offer such services online. This can be a bit risky, not just in the virus front but also in the styling department for hairstylists, so weigh your options carefully.
Stick with the basics for your hair.
Major treatments that require heavy equipment might not be possible for house calls, so manage your expectations. Stick with the basics.
Be flexible with the rates.
Your salon might charge differently for house calls, so expect this when inquiring about their services. The job they’ll do for you will be a lot more time consuming, so they might try to make up for their losses by adjusting their prices. Learn more about this before booking an appointment so you won’t get surprised by the charges later on.
Plan your space.
To save time, plan where you want to get your hair or nails done in your home before the professional gets to your place. If they’re doing your hair, make room in that area already so you’ll be ready to go once your hairdresser arrives.
Choose a nicely lit area so they won’t have a hard time seeing what they’re doing. Again, if you can do it in an outdoor space, that would be better, to better ensure your and the professional’s safety.
Don’t forget to tip.
Times are extra tough, especially for salon workers, so it would be great if you can tip them generously.