After two months in Covid isolation without beauty services, locals have already booked out two Lismore-based beauty salons in eager anticipation of their reopening next week.

Getting rid of unwanted hair growth is near the top of the most needed list, according to Victoria’s Beauty salon owner Victoria O’Neill.

Affordable Beauty salon owner Kristy Saad said it’s not just bikini waxes people are in desperate need of, it’s bookings for acrylic nails and eyelash extensions that have kept her phone running hot.

Affordable Beauty

Kristy said the answering machines at all three of her salons have been filled with messages from people desperate to book in for a session as of June 1, when the NSW government has deemed it’s ok for beauty salons to reopen.

“The phone hasn’t stopped for days,” Kristy laughed. “It’s chaotic. I’m completely booked out already next week.”

“People say they resorted to shaving, they couldn’t hang out any more. They joke with us that we need to get some hedge cutters and that they will pack a lunch or need an overnight stay.”

Extra costs from closure

Kristy is in the process of restocking products in the beauty salon, because the two month hiatus on business meant the shelf life of many beauty products has already expired, or oxidised.

“I’ve spent close to $10,000 in products to get three stores open,” she said. “Eyelash glue lasts a month and it costs me $55 per bottle . I also had to throw out eight one-litre bottles of tanning products – I can’t risk it.”

Kristy said she’s ready to “hit the ground running” with reopening her three stores in Lismore, Goonellabah and Ballina and is prioritising regular clients with bookings.

“We’ve had brainstorms about how to made the place safe under Covid regulations,” she said.

Covid-safe

“We didn’t want paper stuff on the beds, so we decided to use electric blankets with PVC plastic over them and then towels on the top.

“They will keep the clients warm and will be easy to clean off between clients. We’ll also have disposable head mats we will change between clients.”

Kristy said the last two months with the business closed have given her a chance to be a full time mum, rather than stretch herself between three businesses.

“During the first month, I thought I was going crazy,” she said. “I understand how quickly people can spiral down in their mental health – but I worked though it then I eased into it and was there for the kids and caught up on TV shows.”

Jobkeeper

Kristy said she hopes other business owners were able to navigate the Jobkeeper payments like she had to in order to keep her six employees paid with $18K a month.

“It was struggle,” she said. “You have to come up front with payment for over 6 weeks before the government paid the wage money.

“I was lucky - my accountant said I was in a good position and I would register my wage payments with the government every week and so I got paid quicker.”

Victoria's Beauty

For seven years, Victoria’s Beauty salon has been located at 52 Magellan Street, but owner Victoria O’Neill took time out over the Covid break to work our plan a shop move.

She’s currently in the process of moving the shop to 129 Magellan Street - under the Lismore Motel.

“It’s a smaller premises with cheaper rent,” she said. “The lease on the old shop was up and Covid was the final push I needed to think about myself and what was best financially for the future.”

New location

The new premises used to be a hair salon, which made it easier for Victoria to get approval from the Council, as the right infrastructure (like washing water) was already in place.

“It’s a work in progress and I think the decorating will take a little longer, as I’m fully booked out next week and will be busy,” she said. “But there might still be a few short appointment slots.

“Clients are already contacting me - everyone is so keen. The community here has given me a great clientele base and I would move mountains for them.

“2020 has been a push of my limits and recent events area blessing in disguise bringing me to something new.

Government guidelines

Beauty and nail salon operators can begin treatments from June 1 under strict Covid-safe guidelines.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said this is another important step in easing restrictions while maintaining public safety. 

“Whilst this is positive news, the key is introducing practices to protect the safety of both customers and beauticians,” Ms Berejiklian.

“It is vital staff and clients of beauty and nail salons abide by the one person per 4 square metres rule with no more than 10 clients at any one time.”

NSW Health has compiled a checklist for the industry. Businesses must develop a safety plan that addresses how to minimise risk from COVID-19.

Safety plans will include measures such as:

One person per 4 square metres including both staff and clients, up to a maximum of 10 clients at any one time

Exclusion of staff and clients who are unwell, even if they have only mild symptoms

Records of attendance on the business premises for all staff, clients and contractors

Cleaning requirements

Removal of books, magazines and iPads from waiting areas to reduce the potential for infection of clients

Seating in waiting areas that complies with physical distancing

Ensure good hand hygiene facilities are available, including at venue entry and exit, and promote excellent hand hygiene by staff

Clearly displayed conditions of entry on their entrance, website and social media platforms

Designating a staff member whose responsibilities include ensuring staff and clients have appropriate physical distancing and that the venue does not exceed the maximum capacity limit and

Measures to maximise distancing between staff where safe and practical, including assigning staff to specific work stations that are at least 1.5 metres apart and minimising any interaction between these stations

Encourage download of the COVID-safe app.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said clients must not attend salons if they are unwell even with the mildest of symptoms.

“NSW has worked hard to flatten the curve but as restrictions ease we need to ensure the good work continues to keep our community safe,” Mr Hazzard said.

“The elderly and people with underlying health issues should be particularly cautious when and if visiting salons.”

NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said it was important beauty therapists and nail salons follow their safety plan, as these are environments where close contact will happen.

“All businesses must have a COVID-19 safety plan and take precautions to protect the health of their staff and their clients,” Dr Chant said.

Businesses covered include beauty, nail, waxing and tanning salons. Once beauty salons are open, any services that normally and legally take place in a beauty salon will be able to be undertaken. Any existing rules and regulations will continue to apply.