DIY haircuts during COVID-19: Advice from a professional salon

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First we saw the hoarding of toilet paper and hand sanitizers, now, after weeks of self-isolation, hair products are flying off the shelves.

Physical distancing means professional haircuts are off the table, except for those who have gone rogue — like Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot who was recently criticized after getting a haircut during COVID-19 even though salons are shut down during the pandemic.

For those who are doing their part to prevent the spread of COVID-19, here are 10 DIY tips from pro stylists:

1) Trim your hair dry, because wet hair shrinks resulting in undesirable lengths.

2) Sharp scissors about five inches in length are ideal for handling. This means your kitchen or nail scissors are not recommended! While professional scissors are expensive, you could order hair-cutting scissors online for just a few dollars! Use for your hair only.

3) Gels, mousse and grooming pomades are a good temporary fix in order to give you a clean look if you are still going to an office.

4) Men should concentrate on clearing unwanted hair on the nape of your neck and keep sideburns neat. Unkempt hair is then tamed down with a trim. Remove the split ends.

5) If using colour, try covering the roots only. Divide the hair into four sections across your head. Using clean lines, split the hair horizontally and vertically. That way the colour will be distributed evenly. Sprays and powders are also a good way to quickly correct roots that are beginning to show. And try not to get any colour on the walls or your face or hands. Both leave stains that are difficult to remove.

6) When cutting your bangs, twist the bangs and snip the end. The twirling gives you an even cut. Trim the length to the tip or bridge of your nose. If you cut a straight line across your forehead it will be crooked. Remember the bowl cut as a kid? The bangs were always a little too short!

7) Highlights are not as easy as it looks. Foils used improperly may cause colour chunking in large sections while caps may cause uneven highlights if your technique of pulling the hair through the holes in the cap is inconsistent.

8) For long hair, comb all of it forward over your face and make a straight cut. Concentrate on a trim only so the hair remains healthy.

9) Accessories are a good way to hide colour and hair imperfections. Hairbands and clips work as well as scarfs. Remember Jackie Kennedy? Classy right?

10) When your mother told you to brush your hair 100 times every night, she wasn’t wrong. The oils distributed throughout your hair will keep it healthy. Wash your hair with shampoo once or twice a week only. Daily use of conditioner only on the ends is okay. But if you work in a coal mine or a fish and chip store these recommendations do not apply!

(Recommendations courtesy of Peter Anthony Hair Salon)