COVID-19 has led to uncertainty in every aspect of the service industry, including for hairstylists. Practically overnight, the way we operate our businesses had to change with little to no guidance. COVID-19 restrictions led to most salons having to close their doors. Our entire lives changed in the blink of an eye. Some hairstylists haven’t been able to survive the storm. Those that remain are looking for innovative ways of staying afloat. Thankfully, things are looking up, especially with the vaccine rollout beginning.

There is light at the end of the tunnel. Hairstylists have had to think of innovative ways to keep their businesses alive and to continue to serve their clients. Whether you typically work in a salon or are a freelance stylist, you’ve likely looked into offering home visits. 

If you’re a hairstylist, you might have spent years learning your trade and building your client list. When COVID-19 came along, you likely had to think on your feet and find a way to survive. No one ever pictured a time when shops and salons would have to shut their doors because of a global pandemic. Clients are unable to come into your salon; it’s only natural for hairstylists to think about making house calls or home service.

Whether freelance hairstylists or mobile barbers can make house calls or not will largely depend on the state that you live in. There are over 1.3 million businesses operating in the beauty industry in the United States. Each state regulates the hairstyling and barbering services industry. Covid-19 regulations differ between states and districts. So, it’s always best to check what your local authority has to say on the issue. In Ohio, the Governor ordered the closure of all beauty services when the Covid-19 pandemic first hit the United States. 

When deciding if you want to offer house calls or hairstyling home service, you’ll need to check the rules in your local area. The state of Virginia made an exception during the pandemic. It allows stylists to operate outside of salons or barbershops, as long as home visits don’t become their permanent form of working. States that had previously outlawed home visits may be bending the rules during Covid-19. It gives hairstylists the chance to save their businesses. 

One of the reasons why salons have been asked to close is due to social distancing. Customers typically like to sitting next to each other and having a conversation while waiting for their color to set in. Salons rely on the ability to bring in more than one client at a time. The difficulty with bringing in social distancing measures means that some hairstylists have had no choice but to decide to close their doors. 

Our social media feeds are full of posts by people lamenting the condition of their hair and crying out for a haircut. With salons or barbershops closed because of COVID-19, clients look online for an alternative that they can use. You can take advantage of online platforms like Indulge Now. Freelance hairstylists and traveling barbers can sign up for free. You can use sites like this to list your services. In this virtual marketplace, you can connect with clients in your area who are looking to book an at-home appointment. 

Clients who rely on regular appointments to maintain their color and cut are crying out for hairstylists. For anyone who has a standing appointment at their local salon, they might be wondering why the beauty industry isn’t considered an essential service.

You might also find that clients prefer being able to have their hair styled in the comfort and safety of their own home. People are staying closer to home and making fewer trips outside during the pandemic. If you’re willing to do a hairstyling house call, then clients will often jump at the opportunity. They’ll willingly welcome you into their home in return for the confidence boost that comes with a fresh cut and blow-dry.

Hairstylists who are considering making home service during COVID-19 will need to make sure they have a portable kit. You’ll want to be able to carry all the tools that you need to your client’s house. As most clients will probably want a cut and color, you’ll need to make sure you have everything they could need in your kit. 

Businesses and services survive periods of turmoil by thinking innovatively. Although house calls are the new reality of COVID-19, you can market them as something different. If you have ever watched a reality television show, you must have seen a celebrity having a hairstylist in their home. Celebrity hairstylists have offered home service for decades. That is long before paparazzi made it impossible for celebrities to visit a salon without being spotted.

You can market your home visits as a celebrity-inspired service. With special occasions becoming smaller and more weddings happening at home and in smaller venues, there’s a growing demand for hairstylists to offer home calls. You can capitalize on the growing awareness of celebrity stylists to elevate your services. 

If you plan to offer home service, make sure to follow COVID-19 CDC guidelines. As you’ll be entering your client’s home, you’ll want to wash your hands or use hand sanitizer as soon as you arrive. Wear a mask for the duration of your visit and ask your client to wear one as well. You will want to take as many safety measures as possible and ask your client to choose a well-ventilated room for you to use. 

There is light at the end of the tunnel for hairstylists. Once things go back to normal, clients will come swarming back in to get their usual cut and color. If COVID-19 has done anything, it’s proven to clients how important their hairstylists or barbers are. In the meantime, there are steps you can take to maintain and build your client list. If your state allows it, take advantage of the option of home calls to offer haircuts and styling services. While 2020 threatened to destroy the service industry, 2021 is an opportunity for freelance hairstylists or barbers. These vital service providers can take advantage of house calls or home service to survive the impact of the pandemic.