Though aesthetics may seem like a silly thing to worry about amid a pandemic, but many people rely on self care as a way to deal with stress but some Central Coast cosmetology professionals have advice on how to manage while shops are closed.
Ashley Kantner, a nail technician and owner of Queen's Court in San Luis Obispo, knows that her clients rely on nail services for more than looks.
"This is their pick me up, they may give up Starbucks but they don't give up their nails," Kantner said. "For a lot of my clients, it's a confidence booster, it's a mental health thing."
A change in polish or fresh new haircut can be a nice treat. But for many, these services are part of a bigger routine that keeps a sense of normalcy intact.
In addition to nail and hair salons, gyms, tanning salons, and tattoo parlors are all included in the state's list of non-essential businesses that cannot do business under California's shelter at home order.
With the closure of non-essential businesses like salons, that self care routine has been thrown through a loop.
Without professionals at the ready, social media shows people taking matters into their own hands.
"There may be a lot of color corrections when we get back to the salon," Megan Bautista, a hair stylist at The Bladerunner Salon in San Luis Obispo, said.
Bautista is now in her ninth year as a professional hair stylist. Since the coronavirus outbreak, her phone has been ringing with desperate calls for advice.
Bautista tells her clients that temporary color and split end trims may be simple yet effective methods of upkeep but leave the major work to the pros.
"Gray coverage is really hard to do on your own," Bautista said. "Men's haircuts, shorter pixie cuts, that's difficult."
When it comes to amateur nail maintenance, Kantner warns of potential injury.
"Don't pry off things at home with clippers, nippers, ripping them off, prying things under your enhancement," Kantner said.
And don't soak shellacked nails in chemicals without proper guidance, like the expertise Kantner is including in a special kit.
"There's a how to, it's not just have fun free for all, there's instructions with it," Kantner said.
Thanks to social media, Kantner has received orders from people from San Diego to Sacramento are asking for her nail grooming kits. She's selling them for $25 to $30 each and offering to ship the kits.
While these home remedies may not offer the same relaxation found in salons like the Queen's Court or The Bladerunner, Bautista and Kantner say a little self care goes a long way.
