Hairdressers were allowed to open their doors again on Saturday (4th July), much to the delight of people with grown out roots and botched DIY hair colouring.

It is now up to the professionals to style our hair and fix any potential DIY disasters we might have inflicted on our locks.

One Lancashire hairdresser who is bringing our lockdown hair back to life is Nigel Womack- he has owned Nigel’s Cutting Shop in Blackburn since 1974.

Despite the added safety precautions, Nigel said opening day was “very entertaining”.

He added: “Customers were very comfortable being in the shop. I just think people were really keen to get their hair done and get back to the new normal.”

And speaking of haircuts, Nigel admitted that some very “interesting” hairstyles came through his door.

He said: “Most people needed a re-style and many came in with hair like shaggy dogs.

“Even the blokes came in with Alice bands in and fringes down to their chins.

“Some people suited that shaggy 50s look though- long hair should come back into style!”



Nigel and his team also had to fix uneven hair that had been cut at home.

“I’ve had loads of people who have chopped their hair to bits- it might look easy but it take four or five years training to do a proper cut.

“Even I wouldn’t attempt to cut my own hair- you need someone else to do it for you."

Nigel also had customers through the door who had their hair cut by their partners. Nigel explained that it might look passable to them, but a hairdresser can always tell when a non-professional has been at the scissors.

The same applies to hair colouring. Nigel has seen many people walking around with “bright colours and streaks” in their hair- but nothing can compare to colour done professionally.

He said: “In my 46 years in this profession, hair colouring techniques and practices have always changed.

“We learn the new techniques to give you a bold and permanent colour that’s better than any box dye.”

Nigel added: “While pubs were shut and you weren’t going out it didn’t matter if you had shaggy hair.

“Now people are slowly going back out again you might want to give your hair a restyle. We are open and happy to have you!”

If you are in the Blackburn area and in need of a haircut, Nigel’s hairdressing salon is open and taking bookings through Facebook.

'Some clients have come to me crying- I’m the first person some have seen since lockdown'

Haseena Hamid, owner of Dark Secrets Hair, has also seen some questionable lockdown haircuts this week.

She said: “As I see my regulars come in, I end up laughing as I’ve never seen their hair like that before.”

She has seen a lot of “dodgy fringe cuts” and “patchy Leopard print dye jobs” from people trying to style their own hair at home.

Ms Hamid said she had to correct a lot of badly box dyed hair and it’s going to take multiple sessions to get a client’s hair to the colour they want.

Lancashire Telegraph: Haseena HamidHaseena Hamid

Despite the hectic hours and lengthy hair corrections, Haseena said she has enjoyed the first week of opening.

She added: “It’s been an emotional journey- some clients have come to me crying as I’m the first person they’ve seen since the start of lockdown.

“People have been bringing me chocolates and presents because they’re just so happy that we’re open again.”

Fancy a hair cut or style? Book an appointment Dark Secrets Hair Salon in Blackburn.