Salons everywhere are coping with the “new normal” and Whip Salon, with three locations in Connecticut, is doing its best to not only survive during the pandemic, but also to thrive. In Connecticut, beauty salons are presently still only allowed to be at no more than 75% capacity, while also ensuring 6 feet of social distance between clients; amongst many other imposed safety restrictions.

Whip Salon has remained resilient by focusing on client safety and comfort. The salon continually goes above and beyond with Covid safety protocols and clients have applauded their efforts in recent client exit surveys. Now the salon is announcing a new, forward-thinking color service “Pro On the Go” to help address some of the challenges of the pandemic but one that has staying power beyond.

Introducing Pro On the Go 
“Last February at this time before Covid-19 broke, we were already considering introducing ‘Pro On the Go,’ says Whip Salon Founder, Amy Pal. “The idea behind it at that time was to help clients who are short on time but crave high quality, professional color to get in and out in a shorter time. It occurred to us that this service also could be a good solution for those clients that would feel more comfortable having a shorter span of time in the salon due to Covid concerns.”

Pro On the Go is a professional color application that is applied in the salon by a colorist, but that the client then washes out at home. After the color is completely applied, a protective cap is placed over the client’s hair and they are sent on their way. Color processing typically takes around 30-35 minutes, which is more than ample time for most of Whip Salons’ clients to get home. That cuts down on a client’s time in the salon since they don’t wait around during processing time. They do however forfeit the professional blowout.

“Often times, clients are on the go to get to the gym or back hmoe for their families, and they don’t need a blowout as much as they need professional color and the extra time,” says Pal.

While many salons offer ‘curbside color,’ Pal feels this misses the mark. “Curbside color only gets you halfway there. Sure, it’s likely professional grade color which is far better than reaching for box dye at the grocery store, so it won’t damage client’s hair,” she says. “However we wouldn’t dream of asking our clients to apply their own color! That is
exactly what our stylists went to cosmetology school for and are licensed to do. A professional color application simply cannot be replicated at home.”

How it Works
Pro On the Go starts off like a typical single process appointment in the salon. Once the color is finished being applied by your colorist, a disposable cap is placed over the client’s hair and they can then drive home. Before a client leaves the salon, her colorist will help her set a timer on her mobile phone to indicate the precise time to wash it out. The client’s hair will be protected under the cap during the short journey home and the “After-care Packet” and “Home Care Guide” provide them with everything they need to successfully finish this service at home. 

The After Care Packet includes disposable gloves to protect hands, color protectant shampoo and conditioner to ensure they use the best products and even a stain remover wipe to clean up the hair line if necessary.

There are two levels for clients to choose from:

1. Standard Root Single Process: This touch up is placed on 1 inch or less of root regrowth. Pricing starts at $80.

2. Extra Root Single Process - This is a touch up that includes more color than your typical 1 inch regrowth, and is best for clients who have gone more than 8 weeks without color. This service starts at $100. 

The Pro On the Go service is available immediately for anyone who has previously had a color service at Whip Salon as their formula will be on file. If a client has not been to the salon before, they will need to first have a single process color service on site. A professional will monitor their service end to ensure they do not have an allergic reaction and that, most importantly, they are happy with the end result. Once you has had at least one in-person service, they are a candidate for this quick in and out service. 

Driving Revenue into the Salon
Pal hopes the new service will help make up for the lost revenue due to capacity and social distancing regulations. “Before we launched this service, we set up a virtual processing station, because our service providers currently can’t use assistants or service more than one guest at a time,” she says. “The virtual station does allow a service provider to squeezing in another client while one is processing, but we only have space for one of those.”

With the Pro on the Go service, the client processes elsewhere, freeing up time for the colorist and valuable space in the salon. “Our team can perform this service in a fraction of the time, and it’s all about monetizing our time and space right now,” Pal says. 

Since the salon charges separately for the blowout anyway, Whip charges the same price for the Pro on the Go, as they do for the in-salon color service

Pal protects the interests of the salon and the service providers by requiring Pro on the Go clients to sign an extensive waiver, including that they understand they need to follow the directions to the letter, that they are waiving their right to a refund when they walk out the door, and that the salon isn’t held responsible for any color that gets on their car or their clothing. 

“Even though we just introduced this service a few weeks ago, we have clients booking it,” Pal says. “It’s a win for the clients with demands on their time or who are concerned about being in a public place for too long, and it’s a win for the salon and our team who are trying to make up for revenue lost to the new restrictions.”