I Got A Haircut Today And It Was Amazing

I was always taught that in journalism, a good way to figure out your top line is to write what you'd say when you ran into a room of your friends. So... I just had a haircut and I absolutely loved it and I'm so happy.

For those of you who were still relatively organised but can't have a haircut until May, don't worry, I also have some more useful information to impart. Because hairdressers are open - and it's a great day. But there are some changes too...

As hairdressers open up and down the country, hundreds of miles of hair is due to fall onto salon floors as we race back to thousands of eagerly booked appointments after months of lockdown. Expect scores of Reels from friends flicking their heads back to show off their new do, mirror selfies on WhatsApp and some drastic makeovers as all of your friends and fave celebs make their way back to the hairdressers to tackle their split ends.

But things will look slightly different too, with new covid rules at the hairdressers in place.

The fact about the hundreds of miles of hair came from the lovely John Manolakis, the manager at Blue Tit salon in East Village London who cut my hair at 9am this morning before an incredibly busy day for the whole of the salon. There are busy weeks and months to follow too - with many stylists booked until the end of May.

Maybe I was just INCREDIBLY OVEREXCITED and now also incredibly used to everything being weird, but to me, my experience at Blue Tit felt fairly normal.

I'm not a 'book my next appointment as I pay for the last one' girl. I had my hair dyed in March 2020 and decided I'd have a cut in a few weeks (in the next pay cheque) and... yeah, that never happened. So genuinely, I can't remember the last time I had my hair cut. At all. It was starting to reach desperation point. Especially when I had to look at it constantly on Zoom, let's be honest.

After months cooped up, the hairdresser small talk was as usual - after months of wearing masks, it was fine and in no way uncomfortable to wear a mask at the hairdressers for my cut. At the end in an attempt to do some fancy scissor work, a few little snippets made it behind the mask for a little tickle, but it mainly just made me laugh. I mean, I'm scraping here...

I used hand sanitiser a few times, brought my own drink and checked email for 'entertainment' (I'd obviously recommend a copy of Grazia instead). But from a consultation, to a wash, to the cut and blow dry, things seemed normal from a customer point of view and I felt comfortable, safe and happy (did I mention I was happy?) the whole way through.

The change, of course, I'm sure, will be mostly felt by the staff at your local hairdressers. John wore a mask and a visor.

At Blue Tit, they've brought in a series of covid rules to keep everyone safe, which I'm sure will be along similar lines to other salons.

Hairdressers are unable to give handshakes or hugs and at Blue Tit they're using biodegradable single-use gowns and towels - meanwhile all equipment, surfaces and chairs are cleaned and sterilised between clients. There was hand sanitiser everywhere (nice stuff too) and each stylist has their own work station to minimise any cross contamination.

Blue Tit also state that: 'Team members will wash and sanitise their hands before each client arrives. They will also wear face masks, visors and gloves during your consultation and throughout the service.

'To minimise face-to-face contact, we will communicate only through the mirror. Please don't be offended, but we can't talk during your hair-wash.'

The company is (like many hairdressers I'd imagine) now cashless and only accepts card payments of vouchers - and the machines are also sterilised before and after use.

I'm back to get my colour sorted in May, for now I'm trying to make peace with the whites.

The main thing I came away from my hair appointment with was joy. Not out of huge vanity - my hair feels better and neater and I'm thrilled it won't take me a good 15 minutes to get a brush through it after a shower any more. And yes, it feels nice for my hair to look nice - I put some make-up on for the appointment as it's basically a day out (and because I knew I'd need to supply pics!) and it's given me a lift not to see a tired face and a greasy mum-bun reflected back at me. I think lots of people will feel that way too. And I think that after months of misery, that's great.

But what was really great was to see the staff arriving, greeting each other, opening up and breathing life again into the business - after the beauty industry has been so often left behind by this government (think of Boris Johnson and his cronies laughing every time he mentioned when hair salons would open in Commons statements) it was a joy. On the walk to the salon and walk home, it felt like everyone was 'popping out' to do something, whether it be grab a coffee, head to work or get a pedicure done a few doors down. Maybe they were just heading out for their daily walk, but it was nice to imagine that things were getting a bit better today.

So, to everyone returning to work in shops, restaurants, beauty salons and hairdressers I hope that you feel happy and safe returning to work today - and know that you are spreading a lot of much, much needed joy.

Blue Tit offers beautiful hair for people of all hair types, respecting individuality, creativity and freedom to express all whilst ensuring it has the least impact on our planet.

Blue Tit are online here and you can follow them on Instagram here.