Day 12 Of The Covid-19 Mandated Non-Essential Business Closure

It is Day 12 of the “Stay Home” mandate, and the closure of all "non-essential” businesses in San Francisco.

Yesterday I broke down and had a good cry - letting my fear and anxiety bubble up to the surface. Practicing social distancing and feeling ‘non-essential’ to my community is sooo hard for me. My life's purpose has always been to create and share beauty with others in an intimate way. This feels impossible right now - as everyone is stressed and de-prioritizing the importance of beauty in our lives.

Social distancing has forced me to feel even more alone at a time when I need to feel like a part of the community and act together with my community to lower the curve of Covid-19 in California and across the United States. As a creative maker/doer, I’ve tried to self-sooth by baking, cooking and sewing, but I have repeatedly failed because I’m stressed, I don’t have the right ingredients or materials, and I don’t want to be doing those things! Failing to produce anything useful or beautiful has sucked me down into a spiral of deep sadness and feelings of despair. When will this end?!

Of course, I am doing all the “right” things to protect myself from becoming a vector for Covid-19. I’ve reduced my shopping trips to once a week, and always wear a mask when leaving my house. My home has become a sanctuary of safety and solitude.

But I miss my life as a hairdresser and confidant. I miss being a productive and creative member of society. I miss bringing a sense of beauty and wellness to my beloved clients. I miss the daily updates and sharing of mutual experiences and perspectives.

My work as a hairdresser is a personal and creative expression of love - for each and every one of you. While it may seem like a “non-essential service”, it is a way for me to express my love and appreciation for and to you. When you come to see me in the salon - I give you a piece of my heart along with your haircut or color.

How are you coping with social distancing and the “stay-home” mandate?

Why I’m Obsessed With Hair

Our hair makes a first impression when we enter a room and the lasting impression when we exit. Our hair is a living, growing, dynamic accessory that accompanies us wherever we go.

I believe that a haircut is the primary beautification tool that we have to look our very best, regardless of the color, texture, or density or our hair. A great haircut will give you more confidence, enhance your best features and elevate your personal style.

When you come to see me, our time together is 100% focused on you and your hair. It’s a time for you to share with me how you see yourself and how you want to be perceived.

From the moment you walk into my space, our conversation and my observations of you and your hair help me get to know you so that I may provide you with a hair style that reflects who you truly are. When crafting your haircut I also take into consideration your lifestyle and how much time you want to spend on your hair every day.

I love giving my clients versatile and easy-to-style haircuts that work with the natural hair texture. If you are looking for an updated hairstyle that better reflects who you are today, I’d be honored to work with you.

DIY Salt Spay Recipe For Beachy Waves & Texture

As a professional hair stylist, I’m often one of the first to learn about a new beauty product launch. Today I received an announcement about the launch of an organic salt spray - wait, haven’t we seen this before? Salt spray is one hair product that I’ve been loathe to buy or stock because it’s basically salt water in a bottle with a little moisture and perfume. Now when a company that I love and trust tells me they are launching a salt spray for $26 a bottle I have to wonder to myself “what am I missing?”

After reviewing this new product, I thought “how hard could it possibly be to make my own salt spray?” I compared a few DIY recipes with my favorite organic salt sprays and realized very quickly that there isn’t much to it. So, using my professional knowledge and common sense, I came up with a perfectly serviceable DIY Salt Spray.

Step 1: Find yourself an 8oz spray bottle. You may reuse a bottle you already have or buy a reusable plastic or glass bottle. I recommend this 4oz two pack (affiliate link) on Amazon so you can have one salt spray at home and one on the go.

Step 2: Make your salt spray

1. Warm 1 cup of distilled water in glass measuring cup

2. Dissolve 2 tablespoons of Epsom Salt and 1 teaspoon Pink Himalayan Sea Salt into warm water

3. Optional additional ingredients:

   • Add 1/2 teaspoon of your favorite leave-in conditioner for extra moisture

   • Add 1/2 teaspoon of witch hazel for scalp and hair health

   • Add 1/2 teaspoon of honey or gel (dissolved in water) for a stickier tousled look

   • Add a couple of drops of your favorite essential oil(s) for a signature scent.

4. Add solution to one 8oz spray bottle (affiliate link) or split into two 4oz bottles (affiliate link)

Step 3: If using optional ingredients, shake well before each use. Spray on damp or dry hair at crown and on ends and then scrunch to encourage waves and texture to form. This simple DIY Salt Spray is great for fine-medium hair that needs extra volume and texture.

Note: Since everyone’s hair and scalp is unique, feel free to play with and customize this basic recipe to meet your personal needs. If you want a little more texture, increase the salt content 1/2 tsp at a time. When making your own salt spray, start with a simple recipe, figure out what you want more of and then adjust. My basic recipe is clean, not too sticky, and enhances natural waves in fine to medium weight hair.

Not into making your own hair products? Book a haircut or treatment and let me introduce your hair to some of the cleanest beauty products available.