The ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic have been hard on many industries, but the beauty service industry is one area that has been particularly affected. Long-term closures during lockdowns, managing staff absences during isolation requirements, capacity limits and going the extra mile to protect customers and staff from the risk of infection have all taken their toll. Then there’s the financial hit that’s come over the past two years. While necessary to keep staff, clients and the wider community safe, particularly those who are immune compromised, restrictions create unpredictable times for many.
While these challenges are stressful, we’re sure you’ll agree many of our much-loved beauty pros absolutely love what they do, want to provide the best quality service possible and carry out these things with meticulous care.
So while their businesses are still being affected, there are some ways we can continue to show support, whether you’re comfortable accessing face-to-face services under the Government’s restrictions or if you’d prefer to support in other ways.
What the restrictions in red mean
In New Zealand, under red in the traffic light system, for services that require 15 minutes or more of physical contact or close proximity of less than 1m between customer and worker like hairdressers, beauty therapists, dermatologists and nail salons, there are some common basic rules that include:
- the requirement for you, the client, to show a vaccine pass and all staff to be fully vaccinated
- Staff must wear masks and it is recommended you wear a mask. Depending on your service it is recommended to keep your mask on at all times unless removal is required for treatment for example for the sides of a haircut or a facial injectable treatment.
- Social distancing of 1m
- Capacity limits based on 1m spacing
- Displaying a NZ COVID Tracer app QR code or other contact tracing method
Many reputable companies will also be undertaking further measures like patient health questionnaires, taking temperatures, regular sanitising high touch areas, and wearing PPE.
The above can be affected if a service provider also operates another type of offering like retail as part of its business, so it’s worth checking the website of the business you are attending to assess their specific requirements well before the day and time of your appointment to avoid being disappointed, delayed or impacting other people’s appointments.
Above all, be patient and understand businesses are adapting to a new normal. Even if you don’t agree with all the rules that might in place, understand that many are laws, not decisions made by the business you are visiting. Try to adopt an attitude of gratefulness as experts are doing all they can to be here for you.
Salon selection: Dermalogica Instensive Moisture Cleanser; Aspect Dr Ultra Light Hydration; O Cosmedics Eye Correct; Davines OI Shampoo; O&M Maintain The Mane Conditioner; Joico Moisture Recovery Treatment Balm for dry hair
Shop their products
If your go-to spot sells products, now is the time to buy some! These purchases help businesses stay afloat in times like these. Although it’s tempting to purchase from big overseas-based retailers, shopping locally means it is more likely for your favourite destinations will still be in operation in the future.
If you regularly see a particular expert, they will be familiar with, or have access to notes on your specific requirements like skin type or hair colour or condition and can offer you professional expertise on the best products for you.
While the pandemic has motivated plenty of spas, clinics and salons to offer online shopping, not everyone will have products ready for purchase online so send them an email or direct message if you don’t see a ‘shop’ option on their site.
Buy vouchers for future use
Not comfortable visiting right now? Book services for the future and consider buying gift vouchers for those services. Giving gift vouchers to friends and family is also an easy way to support these businesses and they are easy to send, either online or via courier or post if you aren’t able to see your loved ones on their special occasions.
Go remote
Depending on what you’re after – we don’t suggest cutting your hair over Zoom! – virtual appointments can be a way to help meet, or go a way to meeting, your requirements. There are many skin experts offering phone and video-based appointments and consultations.
For example Skin Institute is offering the following via virtual consultations:
- Free mole and freckle Spot Checks
- Skin Cancer consultations
- Free Varicose Veins assessments
- Appearance Medicine Consultations
Skintopia, a central Auckland-based skin clinic also has a substantial retail offering from the likes of Dermalogica and Coola and staff are available via Zoom 7 days a week to answer your skin queries and give advice on how to care for your skin from home.
Booking a self-employed expert like a makeup artist to advise your on products or guide your through a lesson or application for a small special event can also be an option.
Get active on socials
Even if you are not able to spend money at this time, showing support on social media by liking, commenting and sharing posts from your favourite experts helps boost their engagement and ensures the algorithms extend their content to a wider audience, potentially bringing in new business.
If you have had a service and you love the results or appreciate the extent your expert/s went to – why not share that experience with a positive post on your own social media? It’s also simple to drop them a DM or email to provide encouragement and tell them they are doing a great job, these times are exhausting for everyone and a little love goes further than you might expect – you might just make someone’s day!
