‘Outside ain’t cutting it’: Hairstylists rally for the reopening of California salons

“Outside ain’t cutting it,” Andrew Jacobson’s sign read.

Jacobson and about 250 others were gathered on the south side of the state Capitol in Sacramento on Tuesday to protest the closure of hair salons, barbershops and nail salons.

Another sign read, “If masks work, why can’t I?”

Masks could be seen on almost every face, many with the slogan “Pro Beauty Inside.” Alicia Orabella, the Pro Beauty, Inside rally organizer, periodically reminded rally-goers to maintain 6 feet of distance between one another.

The rally called for California health orders to reclassify the beauty industry as essential, allowing them to operate with limited capacity and increased health precautions indoors.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom closed salons on July 13, as coronavirus cases increased in the state. Newsom later made it clear salons could continue operations outdoors.

Jacobson, along with several of his colleagues, drove from San Diego, where he is the marketing manager at Sola Salon Studios, which operates over 550 studio salons nationwide. Jacobson arrived at 2 a.m. Tuesday morning with the sole purpose of rallying to allow them to open.

Beauty industry members emphasized that working outdoors was unsanitary and impractical, as much of their revenue comes from coloring and other services that cannot be provided outside.

Hairstylists argued that with their sanitation training during beauty school, they can ensure a clean environment indoors. When outdoors, they find it hard to clean.

Many compared the closure to stores and casinos that continue to operate, arguing that a salon is much safer than other businesses due to masks on the entire time and cleaning practices the technicians are trained for.

Working outside is ‘too unsanitary’ and ‘uncomfortable’

The rally featured speakers while mannequins received haircuts and manicures. As cut hair blew away with the breeze, stylists noted the difficulties that come with working outside.

Orabella, who operates Orabella Hair Studio in Oakland, started the rally because she believes deeming the beauty industry essential is fair. Throughout the rally, she reminded attendees that it was apolitical, encouraging those with political messages to focus on saving salons.

Toni Navarro and Stephanie San Jose, both of whom work at Hair Gone Wild in Sacramento, came with hair-covered signs and a decorated mannequin head. While they tried to work outside, it just didn’t work.

“It was too unsanitary, too sweaty, too hot. Clients were uncomfortable,” Navarro said.

During the six weeks they were able to welcome clients inside in June, they managed with added sanitation time and half as many clients.

“It was stressful, but at the same time we were grateful to be working. It felt like one of those things that you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone. There was a lot of gratitude being shared in the shop,” San Jose said.

Both stylists said they didn’t feel they have ever been provided a clear reason as to why the beauty industry remains closed when other businesses can open. They hoped the rally would push officials to reconsider opening salons, where they would happily take steps and make financial sacrifices for safety.

Hilary Ritter, the owner of Cheveux Studio in Corte Madera, attended the rally with the concern over breaking leases. Without clients or any steady, significant revenue, she is struggling to come up with the rent payment for her salon.

“At least work with us so there’s a way to legally not have to pay outrageous leases when the economy has changed completely for most of us since we signed them,” Ritter said.

Other attendees argued that beauty salons are essential for some, especially if they feel their mental health declining due to the coronavirus pandemic.

This story was originally published August 11, 2020 at 4:19 PM.