Miami-area salon offers hair-cutting services outdoors

South Beach resident Emily Taylor was lucky enough to get a haircut right before the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown.

Usually, she keeps her hair shoulder-length. Right now, her hair reaches mid-back.

Her hair was “scary-looking,” said Taylor who wasn’t comfortable getting a haircut inside a salon because of the virus. “It has split ends.”

Then she saw an ad on social media about Hair Cuttery, 18237 Biscayne Blvd. in Aventura, offering outdoor curbside cuts.

“I considered cutting my own hair, but I have seen some horror stories on social media. I decided to leave it to the professionals,” Taylor said.

Last month, stylists began cutting hair in a tent at the parking lot of the Fresh Market shopping center. The tent had two chairs, 6 feet apart. Clients had their cuts between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.; appointments were made online or by phone. (The salon, which reopened in June, also provides services indoors.)

Only the signature cut, which starts with a consultation to understand a client’s hair goals, were offered. All the salon professionals had gone through a training session that highlighted proper safety protocols: While working on clients, stylists wore face masks, scrubs and gloves, and sanitized each chair.

To make sure the shop followed the proper guidelines, Hair Cuttery consulted with Leslie Roste, who is the national director of industry relations and education for BARBICIDE. The company makes disinfectant solutions used by barbers and cosmetologists, among other products. Roste is also a registered nurse.

The outdoors location has proven popular: In the two days after the pilot program was announced last month, 750 reservations were made.

Clients, who also each received a face mask, seemed reassured by the company’s precautions.

“The fact that it is outside makes me feel so much better about the whole thing,” Taylor said.

Seth Gittlitz, who is CEO of Hair Cuttery Family of Brands, said the service in Aventura, which initially was offered on a trial basis, is a result of listening to customers.

“We were listening to our guest. There is a lot of concern, and we take sanitation incredibly seriously,” Gittlitz said. “Some people do not want to go inside a retail space right now. Some of them felt comfortable doing their service outside.”

Hair Cuttery, based in Vienna, Va., is the largest privately owned and operated hair salon business in the United States, with 500 locations nationwide, 20 of which are in Florida.

The curbside cuts at 18237 Biscayne Blvd. are being offered every day, and the company is planning to expand the outdoor concept in the state after Labor Day weekend. Details are being finalized.

As for Taylor, who is working remotely, she said she felt happy and refreshed after getting her haircut.

“I am hoping my co-workers notice my haircut on my next Zoom meeting,” she said.