Beauty shops may be reopening, but is this the death of the salon as we knew it?
Many of these businesses have been given the green light to welcome back customers – and shops specialising in services that require facial contact, such as eyebrow shaping and waxing, will also be permitted to reopen from August.
But despite their return, there’s still a big concern that businesses will take a huge hit from the pandemic.
The lockdown didn’t just stop income, it has threatened to reduce the number of future customers as well.
Being stuck at home for months on end prompted people to try DIY beauty tips in replacement of their salon experience, looking to the likes of TikTok to learn lash lifts, nail-painting and hair cutting/colouring skills.
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Some found the experience a success. But others suffered disastrous results.
Manchester salon Beauty and Bubbles confirmed this, stating: “Most people we have spoken to have had bad DIY beauty fails and wouldn’t trust doing it themselves again!”
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The kind of events that prompt people to visit the salon are currently in short supply. There’s no longer a need for pre-holiday nail extensions and spray tans, whereas the continued closure of nightclubs means fewer people will be booking makeup appointments (is there a point in these anyway, when half of our face will be covered by a mask?)
But will a quieter world deter customers from visiting the salon?
Beauty and Bubbles is more optimistic.
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People enjoy feeling special and pampered, and the owners believe that salons will be just as popular as ever after lockdown.
“We feel beauty is essential for most people as it helps people feel good about themselves, giving them that boost of confidence,” they said.
“Our clients have been eager to get back into the salon, as have we!”
But salons are also hoping customers return for the camaraderie as well as the service.
The salon isn’t just a place for cosmetic procedures. It’s where people come for friendly chat, gossip, and to talk to other people in the community.
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For many, visiting these businesses is no different to the socialisation you’d find at the pub. And people have missed it.
Will you be rushing back to the salons now that they have reopened, or are you opting for DIY treatments in the future?
Make sure you check out Beauty and Bubbles for all your beauty treatment needs and help to support local businesses during this difficult time.
Style
Salford City drop first new kit ahead of new era for the football club
Danny Jones
Salford City FC have finally dropped the first new kit for the team’s new era, with the native second city side having fully reverted to orange and black as their core colours and a fresh club crest late last year.
The local club, which was famously bought by Manchester United’s ‘Class of ’92’ and businessman Peter Lim back in 2014, is now embarking on its next chapter and a “new identity” – starting with going back to the days of old when it comes to the badge and official palette.
After the change was initially announced last October following feedback from an extensive fan review, a first glimpse at the rebooted badge, which calls back to previous versions, and the details behind it were revealed this past December.
Fast forward to Wednesday, 8 July, and the latest away shirt incorporating the new (and old) core design tenets has been released in full glory; here’s a closer look:
As you can see, the white-base alternate strip features the iconic adidas three stripes in orange across the shoulders and sleeves as a representation of their new primary colour, but keeps the second accent often used on home, away and/or third kits in recent years.
Keeping the black with an orange trim on the neck and cuffed short sleeves, Ammies can almost certainly expect some kind of inversion of the trio on the main for the home shirt.
Perhaps most notably, leading global insurer AIG is printed across the front and the new principal sponsor, continuing their partnership with the organisation and replacing Fireball Whisky after a short stint as the lead brand logo.
Unsurprisingly, some Salford supporters have noted that it is reminiscent of Man United kits from 2006-2010, who were also sponsored by the company.
Elsewhere, international technology consultancy Accenture features across the upper portion of the back of the shirt, and British wellness retailer Holland & Barrett appear on the left-hand sleeve.
Finally, the kit is completed with white shorts that also feature orange stripes and a black and orange trim, and customised ‘SCFC’ white socks.
Salford’s Lionesses women’s team will wear black shorts with orange stripes instead. What do you make of the first fresh shirt of the new era, Salfordians?
An exclusive pop-up vintage clothing and charity market is coming to Manchester Arndale
Danny Jones
Love shopping locally, independently and sustainably and from the likes of traders and regional markets? Well, this one is tailor-made for you (pun intended), because a Greater Manchester favourite is coming to the city centre.
Better still, you can do your bit for charity whilst you’re at it.
That’s right: Salford’s former but ever superb CharitySuper.Mkt is making its way from Media City to central Manchester for the very first time.
Popping up at the Arndale for its city centre debut, Exchange Court will be taken over by a sea of indies and vintage clobber for three whole days.
Credit: Press shot (supplied via Charity Super.Mkt)
Boasting not only some native but even national history, the UK’s first multi-charity pre-loved fashion store boasts countless curated charity finds.
From second-hand gems and desirable denim, to retro and cult favourite football shirts and more, there’ll be plenty to get your hands on – all whilst supporting charities from nearby and all over the country.
Co-founded by Northern designer Wayne Hemingway MBE – whose Red or Dead footwear brand and fashion label began inAfflecks Palace and over on King Street – the Manc roots behind this run deep.
Notably, this upcoming and limited-time-only event marks a significant milestone for the initiative, too, as this will be their biggest activation since their highly successful two-month stint at the Quayside shopping complex.
The popular residency was only relatively short-lived, but it’s safe to say that it was much-loved and well-received by plenty more than justSalfordians.
Getting underway this month, the pop-up will kick off from 9am on Friday, 10 July, running across the entire weekend.
Participating charities include The British Heart Foundation and the RSPCA, who have already seen support through more than 10,000 vintage items being resold in an effort to raise important funds from theMedia City pop-up alone.
This also meant that more than three tonnes of textile waste were diverted from landfill, and over 25 tonnes of CO₂ emissions were offset, not to mention upwards of 4,500 cubic metres of water were saved in the process. Brilliant stuff.
Making its maiden appearance in Manchester city centre, this summer’s Charity Super.Mkt atManchester Arndale is a must-not-miss; you can find the opening times for each of the days down below:
Daisy Bradbury -
24th July 2020 
