Always named essential businesses by Governor Doug Ducey on Tuesday eveningsome beauty industry workers put down the scissors and picked up their phones to communicate via social media with their clients while choosing to close to practice social distancing.
While hair and nail salons, along with others, are on Ducey’s list of essential businesses, the decision to close stores is a personal decision for the health and safety of customers and workers.
Nikki Wozniak, color specialist and educator at the Phoenix Firefly Collective hair salon, has been practicing hair for 15 years and says it’s irresponsible for salons and salon owners to keep their doors open during that time.
“As stylists, we need to physically touch our clients,” Wozniak said. “Those choosing to stay open are likely the cause of the faster spread of COVID-19.”
Wozniak says salons can’t keep up with Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines staying two meters away from their customers if a haircut is needed.
With the stay-at-home order in full effect as of today, Wozniak decided it was best to close her business three weeks before the official order and took to social media where she offered customers and d other hairdressers video tutorials. . Due to the amount of downtime she has, she tries to post content daily, whether it’s a photo, video or Instagram story, Wozniak said.
A Wozniak customer agrees that health is important and it’s the responsible thing to do to shut down amid the pandemic.
Deb Brady has been a Wozniak client for over five years and says, “The responsible thing to do is to distance yourself, even if it’s not practical for a short time.
With the salon still listed as an essential business, they are forced to pay rent. Most lounge or studio cabin renters pay an average of $1,200 a month in rent and that doesn’t include insurance, booking application fees and other small business expenses that keep piling up. , Wozniak said.
Erin Coscia, a beautician since November 2019, works at Juniper Botanical Spa and Nail Artistry near the Melrose District is struggling to come to terms with the reality of it all.
To date, the spa was closed for two weeks prior to the stay-at-home order.
“I definitely feel the dark reality rearing its ugly head,” Coscia said. “Having absolutely no customers, I am looking for a job in a grocery store at the moment!”
Customers play a huge role in the beauty industry, and Coscia worries about the future.
The spa has a loyal clientele, but there could be an impact once everything gets back to normal as some people may be afraid to have services due to spatial proximity, Coscia said.
“Our customers have been really supportive and fully understood the situation,” Coscia said. “I feel like most of them are just waiting for this to all be under control and for life to go back to as normal as possible.
The beauty industry also uses social media to enhance interactions with customers. There’s already a spa Instagram account, but given the circumstances, it’s certainly being used more to provide tips and instructions on skincare, nail care and wellness while everyone else is away. quarantined, Coscia said.
