The always-astounding human race has found a way to use the internet for its personal hair styling needs. When we first began social distancing to "flatten the curve", people envisioned ways their lives might be interrupted without the option of gathering in public places, but it took about a week or so for people to realize they'd also have to suffer without the services of a professional hairstylist. Well, fear not, shaggy readers.
It didn't take long for the internet to supplant traveling and allow many of us to continue daily life. More specifically, video chatting programs have dramatically eased the burden of figuring out how to communicate for work or school purposes without being able to physically interact. Chat apps have seen an explosion in popularity, for better and for worse, and our reliance on them has generated some creative, resourceful ways to get things done.
More recently, people have created virtual haircuts. The concept is brilliant: rather than spend days at home, lamenting the neglect our manes have been forced to endure by the coronavirus, people are video chatting with hairstylists to get instructions on how to do their hair. It's a win-win for everyone involved. The civilian gets to look nice despite a lack of access to a salon (presumably for their other video chats or the occasional delivery person). The stylist/teacher gets to employ their craft to generate revenue. The virtual hair styling trend also produces other consequential benefits. For example, a stylist may be forced to improvise if their "customer" doesn't have the proper equipment, leading to new ways for that person to look good. Regardless of a person's home equipment situation, services like You Probably Need A Haircut can be a solution.
Ways to Get a Virtual Haircut
The aforementioned website is a platform allowing users to book an online video with a hair care professional, and while it's a clever solution, it may not be necessary. With the ubiquity of video chat apps and the budding competition between them as they tack on features, anyone with a personal relationship with their stylist can reach out and put together such an encounter. It's hard to imagine most barbers, after being forced out of work, would pass up the chance to make some money using their knowledge and skills. For people who maybe aren't on a first-name basis with their stylist, it may be worth doing some research. Try inquiring about other peoples' hair artists if friends with clearly well-groomed manes crop up on Instagram. If friends are teaching themselves to do their own hair, it may be a good idea to video chat with a fellow amateur and guide one another through the process. Moreso than almost any other activity, cutting hair often requires an additional set of eyes.
Hair status is definitely the least of our worries right now, but virtual haircuts are yet another representation of why the internet is crucial during this pandemic. Moreover, these small moments of people forming a community over the internet and solving life's problems together are a beautiful sign of solidarity, a reminder that we're all in this together. So by all means, anyone in need of a friend or a haircut should consider putting that webcam to work.
Source: You Probably Need A Haircut