Karen — went longer for now
BANBRIDGE mother-of-two Karen Warren (52), runs architectural salvage business Period Homes Ireland Ltd and was first in line when her hairdressers opened again.
“Lockdown was OK for us,” she says. “The weather I think helped everyone. We were closed for eight weeks but we had plenty to do around the house, it kept my husband busy. But it was lovely to be able to do all that in the sunshine.
“It wasn’t so great for my hair. I had always had short hair and it had got so long in lockdown that I could actually tie it back in a ponytail. But I had greys coming through and the ends were so dry and broken, it was horrendous. I looked like a scarecrow.
“Friends who knew I was going this week to get it cut said that I actually suited it a little longer, so I got a lovely colour put in it and just the tail ends took off it. It’s longer that I would normally wear it but I’ve got used to it and love it now.
“I had been counting down the days until my hairdresser opened again. My hair just had to be done. No matter how much effort you’d put into make-up and getting yourself dressed up, you need that finished look with the hair. That was why it was so important for me to get in there this week. As soon as I heard that the hairdressers were opening I was straight on Messenger asking for an appointment. The hairdresser said I had to ring in when they opened so I sat on the phone for half an hour — it was constantly engaged — but I wasn’t hanging up until I got an appointment. They opened on Monday and I got in on Wednesday.
“It was a lot different, I had to wear a mask and a girl met me at the door and took my temperature. It was very well-organised and they made me feel very, very comfortable and I didn’t feel afraid. My hairdresser Joanne Mckelvey had taken over the upstairs floor of her premises so I went up there and got my colour done. The only thing was you didn’t get a cup of tea, but I could live with that! Walking out, if I had won a million in the lottery I don’t think I would have felt as good.
“My husband saw me and had to look twice, he thought he had a new woman. You just feel so good after getting your hair done!”