Beauty salons stay shut as ‘sexist’ rules hurt profits
Therapists say it is not financially viable for many of them to open under current restrictions
THE Government’s “sexist” rules around salons have made it financially unviable for some of them to open, beauty therapists have claimed.
Under the new rules, beauty salons, nail bars, massage studios, skin piercing services, physical therapy businesses and spas will be allowed to reopen from today.
However, beauty salons will be prohibited from performing any facial treatments such as eyebrow threading and waxing, or eyelash tinting – treatments which some therapists claim make up their “bread and butter”.
The new rules have sparked accusations that the beauty industry, which contributes around £30billion a year to the economy and has a workforce and clientele predominantly made up of women, is being unfairly treated by “sexist” rules, as beard trimming is allowed. Helen Ward, who runs Sirens Hair and Beauty Salon, in Durham, said: “I think they have given us something to shut us up and give the impression that salons are open … If we can’t do anything on the face, for me, there is no point opening.”
The beauty therapist told The Northern Echo, “People are even more upset today. The first reaction when the announcement was made on Thursday was “oh we can open now, it is amazing”. And then 10 minutes later the details came out. The feeling of despair is ridiculous.
“I think it’s pure chauvinistic sexism from our government. A lot of families are reliant on the beauty industry providing a wage. I am not an angry feminist, but I am this week.” She added: “None of us can comprehend this. What is safe about getting wrecked in a pub on Saturday night and the police having to come out in mass forces?
“And when you are handing out food vouchers to get people in pubs then you have to have extra police on the streets to deal with that, then it’s not OK we cannot go back to work.
“There are many barbers [that] have been doing beard trims, nostril waxes, not wearing PPE.”
Her comments came as the Government has been urged to ensure “stricter enforcement” of coronavirus rules in England after complaints that some hairdressers were failing to wear visors or ensure social distancing.
The National Hair & Beauty Federation, which represents the industry, said it wanted the Government to ensure rules were adhered to as it was unfair on businesses that carried out their work safely.
While most are believed to be following the guidance issued to allow reopening last week, there are questions over what checks are in place to catch those failing to comply.
The beauty industry also remains confused about Government strategy.
Jane, a mobile beauty therapist and founder of Jane’s Therapy in London, said: “A lot of people who are in the industry, even hairdressers, have become carers and have changed their career because they can’t work.
“I haven’t worked for three months. You can go to a bar and stand next to someone and hand over a glass, but you can’t get a facial … some over-50s have not been out so they could be having treatments safely.”
Lesley Blair, chairman of the British Beauty Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology, said that many salons were fully booked, but many others did not believe that opening today would be financially viable.
“One of the girls I spoke to this morning said she has herself and two other staff members to pay, but didn’t have enough appointments to warrant opening on the day to be able to pay all their salaries. That particular salon does a lot of facials and electrolysis. And that’s a specific treatment that people come to them for, and then when the clients are there, they tend to get a pedicure, not the other way around.”
Downing Street sources indicated that Boris Johnson was not intending to lift the ban on facials in the immediate future.
A senior Government source said: “There is a difference between a man having his beard or eyebrows trimmed, which doesn’t have to be face to face and can be done quite quickly, and a facial which might often take an hour.”
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy was contacted for comment.
‘You can go to a bar and stand next to someone and hand over a glass, but you can’t get a facial’