Sonia Haria Beauty Director. Annabel Jones Beauty Editor at Large. Krissy Turner Shopping editor. Sameeha Shaikh Beauty assistant
19 August 2020 7:37am
On Thursday night, the government officially announced that all beauty services, including those of the face (such as facials and eyebrow treatments) could resume from August 15.
In the new guidance published, it is stated: "Beauty salons, tattoo studios, spas and barbers across England will be able to offer all close contact services – including front of the face treatments such as eyebrow threading, eyelash treatments and facials from August 15 under new guidance."
The news will come as a relief to beauty professionals who have had to await the government's green light for services of the face, which were originally set to resume on August 1. The two week delay was announced on July 31, during the Prime Minister's coronavirus update in which he said the reopening of 'higher risk settings' would be postponed until August 15 at the earliest amid fears of a second wave in the UK.
In the announcement, Boris Johnson said "we should now squeeze that brake pedal in order to keep the virus under control".
We speak to some of the industry's best experts for the low-down on massages, facials, eyebrow treatments and salon waxing, and what we can expect the experience to be when they open shop.
Can I get my eyebrows done?
For many women, a monthly visit to an eyebrow therapist to tidy their brows is extremely common. With strict restrictions on this service now on the cusp of being lifted, how will brow treatments and lash services work post-lockdown?
"We will need to equip both therapists and customers with masks and gloves and be extremely careful to sanitise chairs and equipment before and after use," Vanita Parti, founder of Blink Brow Bars, tells us. "Social distancing will mean fewer customers at any one time but we may consider creating longer hours to ensure we can meet post lockdown demand."
Read more: The new rules for nail salons reopening
Can I book a massage?
What is meant to be a relaxing, revitalising experience presents a host of social distancing and hygiene issues, thanks to the hands-on nature of the service in the era of Covid-19.
Across the pond in Tennessee, USA, massage services were given the green light on 6th May following four weeks of lockdown, while in Italy, talks of massage therapy services and beauty salons opening alongside other shops on 18th May were in place, following a lengthy and strict lockdown.
"We don’t expect massages to be our most popular service, whereas we’ve been asked about waiting lists for hair and nails services," admits Fiona McIntosh, co-founder and creative director of at-home beauty booking service, Blow Ltd. Blow’s professionals are booked online and attend customers homes’ to complete services, so rely on a level of cleanliness and awareness from the customer, too.
"However, our masseuses will follow rigorous safety procedures, will wear gloves and masks, and will disinfect tools before and after visits, as well as using Covid tracking tools," she adds. In a statement regarding the virus, The Council for Soft Tissue Therapies noted that therapists should ‘look at the viability of delivering services via a hands-off method if possible.’ The humble massage’s place in a post-Covid-19 world will likely be very different with the addition of tools and PPE gloves.
Read more: New rules for beauty salons reopening
Are facials allowed?
Speaking to leading therapists, what's due to change the most is the PPE that facialists will be using. Masks will be a requirement when giving facials and hands-on facial massage will be administered with gloves, something that could change the sensorial experience for customers.
Therapist Debbie Thomas has ordered both latex and vinyl gloves for those that are allergic to latex. “We actually started trialing our facials using gloves, just before lockdown began. Clients were pleasantly surprised that it didn’t deter too much from the sensation of the facial, as you still get all of the benefits of the massage techniques and of course the same products are being used.” She adds, “as long as the therapist is using tight fitting gloves, it won’t alter the facial technique at all.”
Social distancing will continue. In smaller venues, clients won’t be allowed to enter the salon until the former client has paid and left to avoid risk. At Debbie Thomas’s South Kensington Clinic, they will be providing a perspex shield at the reception desk to protect staff and clients.
While Reena Hammer from Urban Retreat says, “we think it’s going to reinforce an amazing customer journey, which can be lacking when things are rushed. One of the things we are going to do is to start each facial with a hygiene ritual between the client and therapist to build trust and confidence. That way, it’s not just a clinical experience, it becomes part of the treatment in the same way that some facials begin with a foot bath and massage."
Hammer believes that facials will be the treatment clients are most worried about as the therapist needs to maintain close contact. However, Urban Retreat has gone to extreme lengths when it comes to hygiene to put clients’ minds at ease and to protect staff. “We have heavily invested in medical grade spray that stops any type of bacteria living or growing on it. It’s like a permanent Dettol spray that’s guaranteed for up to five years. We’ve sprayed all of our door knobs, handrails, taps and rails,” emphasises Hammer.
In addition, facialists will wear both a mask and visor, while front of house will wear visors only. The restaurant area has been repurposed for coats and bags, which will be spread out two to three coats per rail, while staff will be required to change the outfit they traveled in with before greeting clients.
Despite the initial hesitations, Hammer believes that clients will be longing for human interaction and in a considered setting facials post-lockdown will be an even more enriching experience than before Covid-19.
Read more: DIY beauty tips for at-home treatments
Are waxing appointments allowed?
Beauty salons offering waxing services can now reopen in England. The news will come as a relief to many beauticians across the country.
The delay in reopening stemmed from risks involved with the natural close proximity of wax therapists and clients throughout the duration treatments. There could also be an issue with tools and maintaining a level of cleanliness. But salons are geared up for the new normal. Zainab Siddiq, General Manager at Ministry of Waxing, says “We will have a new Covid-19 operating procedure, which will include social distancing by limiting the number of customers and employees in the salon at a given time, utilising masks and other PPE, adjusting opening times and also conducting temperature checks.”
Cleaning will become even more frequent and thorough, and the use of disposables will be maintained. Air quality will be supported by frequent ventilation across the salon. While bedding and towels will continue to be changed after each client and Zainab adds she is also looking into adding another protective layer on top of bed linen so it is immediately disposed of instead of being sent for laundry.
As for wax pots, Zainab says, “We alternate pots but the spatula is never double dipped and is disposed of at first use. This ensures no contamination to wax that is temperature controlled to maintain cleanliness.”
