Salons are open from tomorrow (loud cry of joy). How much have we all missed those regular visits? Editor Trudi Brewer chats with her hairdresser, the hairdresser of the year Danny Pato from D&M hair salon in Auckland on the eve of being back in business, now NZ is moving to Level 2 lockdown.
Image BeautyEQ
Photo Danny Pato & Ryland Wood by Keryn Sweeney.
For hairstylists across the country, who have been gaging to open their salon doors again, finally, they have the green light—Ready for a stampede of clients, (including me) heading their way. We caught up with the countries most celebrated hairdresser, Danny Pato on how lockdown level 2 will change his life and the lessons he learned in ISO.
How will your job change in lockdown level 2?
The nature of our job means that human contact is necessary, so understandably we're not able to work under alert levels 3 and 4. Moving into level two, the salon will open, but not like it once was for the first few weeks. There will be two separate work bubbles - bubble-D with half of our team, and bubble-M for co-owner Michael Sisaengrath’s and the rest of the crew. Designed to help maintain social distancing between clients and minimise the risk, by having fewer people in the salon at any one time, all meeting the Ministry of Health guidelines. There's also a rotation roster, for the first two weeks D&M will be open from 10 am to 9 pm, seven days a week. With each team working two-days-on, and, two-days-off. To meet client demand, there is more good news, for anyone desperate for a 'do,' we have late-night every night.
What have you learned from being in ISO or in our bubble?
How to appreciate my life, my husband, and my family. My business, and our clients, and our team of stylists, friends, and of course, Mother Earth. I've realised that I've been taking simple freedoms for granted. Like hugging – I'm a hugger, and suddenly that's gone. I've also learned for the first time in my life to slow down – I realise now I am a workaholic, I am used to standing on my feet all day, multitasking with so many projects on the go, and being surrounded by people. I love our simple life at home (see Danny at home here) – regularly walking, cooking, spending time with my husband, and our fur baby. I feel good with the knowledge that we as a world are in a crisis, but we have an opportunity to reshape our world, to develop a more profound respect for nature, and to unite humanity for the greater good.
What have been your beauty go-to's during the lockdown?
I've been taking the time to pamper myself. I have very thick, wavy hair, so after each wash, I use a hair mask from The Circle Chronicles by Davines. My favourite is Davines The Spotlight Circle hair mask, which helps to restore the shine. My husband has bleached hair, so he's been using the new Davines Naturaltech Nourishing Vegetarian Miracle Mask, which contains vegetal keratin, and a biacidic bonding complex that helps to re-bond and rejuvenate colour treated hair. I've taken a break from styling products, opting to use only the Davines OI All In One Milk (a leave-in conditioning oil, milk) applying it to my damp hair, and letting my dry naturally. It leaves my hair soft, wavy, shiny, yet protected. And it seems like I am not the only one pampering – our online product sales are going strong.
What are you looking forward to most when life resumes back to some normality?
People. I miss my clients, my team and my friends, the energy and vibe in the salon, the laughter. I love my bubble, but I am looking forward to the time when its safe to burst it, and reconnect physically with other people I love.
