Sequestered At Home, Keeping Up Appearances Falls Into A Gray Area

Last week, a friend posted this on Facebook: “Feels like we’re three to four weeks from learning everyone’s real hair color.” Indeed, by the time we’re allowed to burst from our bubbles, roots might become the new fashion statement. Spearheaded, perhaps, by Kelly Ripa, who kicked off a “roots watch” on her Instagram feed to document her gray hair growth while social distancing. Bold move.

Let me just say at the outset that I’m aware hair color is hardly the most pressing issue right now. (And, by the way, I’m not admitting to anything; only my hairdresser knows for sure.) How we look necessarily takes a back seat to how we’re feeling, physically and mentally. The dread is real, though, if not superficial. While the government has deemed salons to be nonessential businesses, others, looking in the mirror, might beg to differ. When you’ve spent so much time and money in the quest to prevent your roots from seeing the light of day, it’s unsettling when the first line of defense — the hairstylist — is unable to come to the rescue.

Amy Hiser, a stylist at The Clip Shop in Pittsfield, Mass., says that right after salons were ordered to close, she received about 15 messages from clients wanting to know what box color to use (“I know nothing about that,” she admits), or pleading with her to come to their house, which, of course, is a nonstarter.

Wait for your hairstylist, she implores. Be patient. And for goodness sakes, step away from box color — it’s so bad for your hair. If you’re going to buy anything, pick up the root touchup spray or powder to temporarily hide your gray; that won’t do any damage. But if you do reach for the box at the grocery store, Hiser cautions, you’ll be the one complaining, because it’ll cost more to fix.

Incidentally, what’s Hiser doing in her forced down time?

There are online videos going around for stylists to keep learning, she reports. And, she says with a laugh, there are also videos on how to deal with clients. ‘Nuff said.

Sal Lopes, who we first met as a Rural We subject when he opened the Salvatore Anthony Hair Studio in New Preston, Conn., is staying in place in Florida, where he was vacationing before the pandemic hit the fan. It’s been almost a month since he’s been in the studio, but he’s in close contact with his clients.

“I must have sent out over 100 texts and messages letting everybody know they’re on my mind,” he says. He echoed Hiser’s directive to be patient, and stand back from the boxed hair dye.

“Some salons are doing root touchup kits, but that’s a big nightmare,” he says. “It’s one thing to formulate the client’s color, but the application is probably more important than the color.”

The best thing you can do, he says, is do nothing until you're reunited with your stylist. And, consider this: if you’re thinking of going natural, now is the time. Just be prepared. There’s no easy way to do it if you don’t plan on going shorter and getting frequent cuts along the way. (He’ll be happy to hold your hand while you go through the long and enduring process, though.)

For someone who makes his living doing cut and color, and who’s waiting out this period while his business is totally shut down, Lopes is quite upbeat.

“Just hang in there,” he says.” Slick your hair back into a nice pony, put on a baseball cap and lipstick and your dangly earrings. Relax. It’s only hair.”