Outdoor or indoor, time to get groomed!
ith the onset of ‘Unlock 1.0,’ salons and barber shops in Lucknow opened to witness a high number of footfall to get rid of two-month long hair and avail ‘emergency’ beauty services.
The salons have been instructed to undertake only hair and basic beauty related services instead of massage, spa and others. Some of the parlours have raised shutters whereas many are still contemplating as providing only hair related service would be loss-making for them.
While salon chains have started services following maximum precautions as per the government guidelines with all possible precautions still the coronavirus fear is there among people.
Wazda Arora, owner Quiff Salon said, “We are taking all the precautions as per the advisory, a four-level check procedure is followed. As it not mere safety of the client but it is for safety of my staff and their family too. We were seeing good customer turn-out since we restarted the services but as from a week the cases are on a rise in Lucknow so again the clientele has declined.”
On being asked about customer response, she said, “Sometimes we get really cautious customers like who know how important it is wear a mask while some just don’t wear masks. We provide disposable masks while our staff wears PPE suits with face shields. Then there are some who tag along a few and that gets difficult for us to manage in such times as we cannot compromise with safety.”
According to Dolly Rastogi, owner of Radiance Fringes N Curls, “People are hesitant and want we make them feel safe so have come up with an option of personal cubicles. Many out there think that when they have to stay indoors or wear masks when out so we don’t need to groom themselves! But for me, it’s the other way around — one should groom for him or herself.”
Almost all salons are following prior appointment policy. Anjali Mishra, sales manager Body Care salon, said, “We are taking prior appointments and only then offering services. Also, bridal makeup is a service that is sought for at this point of time. Though not many parties happening but still we are getting customers and here again we are absolutely cautious and all armed with safety.”
Cost too is another challenge for the salon owners as their expenditure has increased manifolds. “Yes it has definitely gone up as lots of things have been added to our budget but it’s for safety of our staff and clients so we have to qualms. Also, we will stick to same service prices,” adds Dolly.
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