From split ends to 'pandemic beards,' hair stylists offer up virtual advice

Even if you had a hairappointment just before the COVID-19 shutdown, your locks may already be looking a little lanky.

But before you get out the kitchen shears and bowl for an at-home cut, some local stylists are offering virtual advice on hownot to butcher your look ahead of your next Zoom meeting.

• 'Step away from the clippers,' barbershop owner advises customers amid COVID-19

Barber Tanya Clark said that a few days after her ByWard Market salon Headquarters shut down, she started getting messages from regulars.

"It's crazy, but you build such a strong relationship thatthey can hit me up whenever they want with questions about hair or relationships. These people have become my family," said Clark.

In response, she's been posting videos to social media, using a mannequin to walk people through common cuts and giving advice for growing out "pandemic beards."

"It's not like I'm giving them an expensive or crazy cut.I'm giving them something basic,that they can clean themselves at home," she said.

'Looking good is part of feeling good'

Paula Whitelocke agrees that right now isn'tthe time to "go crazy" with your at-home salon.

Whitelockehas been answering questions online abouthow to handle curly, kinky and coiled hair types her specialtiesat her west-end salon, Curly Hair Designs.

She's telling clients with curly hair to focus on moisturizing, deep conditioning and getting at those split ends.

"There are lots of options for people right now. I don't want people to do things out of fear," she said, adding that things like mascara can cover areas of concern for people who get regular hair-colouring.

Whitelocke also recognizes that as the pandemic shutdown continues, people maytake on even more DIY hairstyling.

"Iknow that looking good is part of feeling good, so you gotta do what you gotta do during this time," said Whitelocke.

Removing hair extensions

For people with hair extensions, Lindsay Landryof Trakk Queen Hair and Beauty is offering virtual consultations on how to remove them safely.

The Kingston, Ont., salon owner says most clients need to renew their extensions every two to threemonths, but since that's not possible, she's advising that they be taken out.

"It's never really a recommended thing to do, to remove your own extensions at home," she said. "But we also never anticipated being told to stay home for an unlimited amount of time."

Landry says it's especially unfortunate for clients who put in hair extensions after undergoing chemotherapy orgastric bypass, or are dealing with other health issues that causedhair loss.

Bringing 'positivity'

Though all three stylists are struggling with lost income because of the shutdown, for now they're offering theirvirtual advicefree of charge at least for regular clients while they explore options for making up for lost income online.

As Clark says, a stylish haircut can make dealing with COVID-19 a little easier even if you have nowhere special to go.

"When you look good, you feel good, right? Lots of people are not feeling good right now because they don't look good," said Clark.

"So if there's any way that I can bring some sort of positivity to people's lives why wouldn't Ido that, right?"

Trying a trim at home? Send us your photos of your at-home hairdos whether they're successful or not.