Local Hair Salon Offers Virtual Hair Cuts and Styling

Finding time to get to the hair salon can be difficult in the best of times, but with the current health concerns, it is often impossible. Delilah Capelli, owner of  Hairy Styles salon in Point Pleasant Borough, wanted to do something to make it easier for her customers to  use her services. "Right now, some people are still uncomfortable visiting our salon," said Capelli. "I wanted to find a way to help them out. I started thinking about how everything is being done virtually, these days. Kids are doing remote learning. Doctors are offering telemedicine. So I thought, why not virtual hair salon visits?"

Capelli realized that customers probably wouldn't have the tools they needed for a proper home hair salon. To solve that problem, she created home hair kits. "The basic kit comes with professional shears, comb, hair clips, a salon cape, and a convenient storage case. That costs $40, but we have many other options," said Capelli. "For $10 more your kit will include a mirror and brush. Deluxe men's kits have everything in the basic, but also have electric clippers, a brush with powder, and even a bottle of the blue liquid to put your combs in. That costs $80. The deluxe women's kit for $150 features a professional hair drier, curling iron, and your choice of an issue of Cosmopolitan, People, or Marie Claire to read while you wait for me to start the Zoom session."

Capelli says that the Zoom session is the real appeal of the virtual salon. Depending on the service the client chooses, prices can range from $40 for a simple virtual haircut, to $100 for a virtual full perm. Once a Zoom appointment is scheduled, the client will set up a chair in front of a mirror in their home. Then they will place a laptop, tablet or phone behind the chair in the place where a stylist would usually stand. "Once we're connected, it will be like I'm right there in the room with my client," said Capelli. "I'll be able to talk them through cutting and styling to ensure they have a great virtual salon experience."

Mrs. Agnes Badcrumble of Point Pleasant is a big fan of Hairy Styles, and has started getting her weekly virtual salon treatments. "It's wonderful," said Mrs. Badcrumble. "I get everything setup and then I read my copy of Marie Claire until Delilah signs on. Then she talks me through my haircut. But the part I like best is the chatting. I tell her about my grandchildren and my church groups and my lemon bars. Just like I was at the salon!"

Delilah Capelli realizes that virtual hair appointments may not be for everyone, but she believes it's important to offer the option. "At times like this, businesses can't continue doing things the same way," said Capelli. "For us it was important that we try new things. Hairy Styles couldn't continue in one direction forever."