While the COVID-19 lockdown resulted in the salon being shut for a third of the year, Joshuaa Shaun Hair is confident that it can make up for lost time. Adapting quickly to the ‘new normal’ in order to continue offering high-quality cuts and colours to its clients, the team has welcomed over 300 clients since doors opened on 4th July.

Mobilising to work seven days a week in a COVID-19 secure manner, the priority has been to retain the sense of relaxation and comfort, while upholding the highest standards of safety. Following this, the salon is booked solidly until mid-September, with clients looking to have their locks restored by the salon’s three talented stylists.

Founding director, Joshua Forde, puts the salon’s success post-isolation down to the trust that his team has built with clients over the last eight years. Going above and beyond to enhance safety measures, he has introduced social distancing and minimal contact, as well as drawing up a full guide around what procedures the salon is taking, in order to set clients’ minds at ease on what they can expect both before and during their visit.

Speaking about re-opening founder director Joshua Forde commented: “The pandemic presented so many challenges – not just for us, but for everyone across the industry. Despite us having to close our doors with next to no warning, our clients were unfaultable: all of them were incredibly supportive, which lead to not only us being fully booked for eight weeks once re-opening, but also selling out of our gift vouchers in under 24-hours.

“The new way of working is certainly different, but the safety of our customers is paramount. We’re kitted out with full PPE, are COVID-fogging the salon daily, and ensuring that we follow the government guideline to the letter in order to keep us all protected. Our clients have been amazing and so full of praise, which is tremendously uplifting – we’re just so happy to be back and doing what we love!”

With eight years of experience, a team of highly-skilled stylists and nothing but rave reviews under its belt, the Birmingham-based salon prides itself on its signature style. Joshuaa Shaun Hair is unlike any other in the city, from its stunning interior through to its equally impressive inclusivity policy. The team aims to make self-care accessible, judgement-free, and affordable, providing a safe space for all, irrespective of gender, race, sexuality, or ability.

Building this ethos into its foundations, Joshuaa Shaun Hair has been turning archaic and entrenched rules in the traditional hairdressing industry on their heads since it opened in 2012. For example, the salon has pioneered policies like gender-neutral pricelists, so that all clients pay the same price for the same process. This simple – but revolutionary – approach has seen Joshuaa Shaun Hair rapidly climb the ladder in the industry, breaking boundaries to be recognised as a cutting-edge salon.

“The concept of having different price lists for different genders has always struck me as old-fashioned at best, and exclusionary at worst: not only is it completely arbitrary, but it perpetuates tired gender binaries, which seem completely at odds with the rest of the 21st Century. For us, any client – no matter their age, gender, race, sexuality, or ability – deserves to feel safe, seen, and special during their visit,” concluded Joshua.