My wife and I don't feel comfortable going into a traditional hair salon at this point in the pandemic, but we want folks in this industry to feed their families. What to do?
Fortunately, Shai came up with HouseCuts. We made an appointment with glee, and I'll explain why we felt safe and responsible doing so -- three times, so far!
-- We got to pay and tip our stylist directly (they accept cash or electronic payment), so we knew she wasn't getting underpaid.
-- We knew our stylist wasn't being forced to work indoors or in any conditions she didn't feel comfortable with.
-- Both Shai and the stylist are scrupulous about wearing PPE. Conversation about the haircut takes place at an appropriate distance and with masks. The stylist even has a face shield, in addition to her mask. Everything is sanitized, of course.
-- Both Shai and the stylists he works with practice social distancing in their everyday lives, and are checked with a thermometer and a pulse oximeter daily. They'll check how well your oxygenation is happening with the oximeter too, if you like.
-- Every second of it is outdoors -- no additional people respirating in your home, or at a cutting station six feet away. Just you and HouseCuts in your yard/on your porch/in the park where you arranged to meet (for those who don't have outdoor space of their own).
Now, to the experience itself:
My wife got what might be the best haircut she's had in her life! The stylist also struggled bravely during my first HouseCut to remedy the haircut I gave myself before HouseCuts came along, and did an amazing job.
They communicated clearly about when they were going to arrive, so we could have our masks at the ready to get our cuts. The stylist was charming (as is Shia), expert, and very efficient. She did a particularly good job of seeing how my wife's and my hair grows naturally, and styling accordingly.
They did such a good job on their first visit that I decided to make a long-wanted total change of my hairstyle, and called them again. The second experience was just as good as the first, and now I have the contemporary, comfortable style I've wanted for years.
And did I mention that they only charge $30 for the stylist -- a licensed, experienced cosmetologist -- to cut your hair! They have a family rate too, if you want to get everyone's hair cut in one visit.
My advice: Call them, and since the price is so low, tip A LOT! I tipped up to the level that a salon charges me for a cut, since I was getting better service than most salons.
I can't tell you how nice it is to get just a bit of glamor amidst everything going on. This is the safest way by far to get a haircut until there is a vaccine, so I imagine they're going to get very busy, very quickly! If you want my stylist (who is AWESOME), that would be Danielle.
I just called them again, and they're going to put some fabulous color in my hair. Just a few streaks, at my request. It's always bothered me that hair stylists have to pay obscene rents to salon owners for their stations, and are generally treated quite badly in a physically demanding job. Now that I have a way to actually get fashionable that's ethical AND takes all sensible precautions, I plan to have more fun with my hair! read more