By Pearce Hungate
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. —As we enter into our fifth week since school was moved online, we also enter into our third week of Hogs at Home, your number one stop for things to do while staying at home.
Even assuming the best-case scenario of slow growing hair and a fresh haircut right before everyone went into lockdown, you’re probably starting to look a little shaggy. But, with barber shops and salons closed, what can you do? The truth is, you’re never going to get as good an opportunity as this to experiment with your hairstyle.
Think about it. Every time you walk into a barbershop, you’re always just a little afraid that the barber or hairstylist is going to give you the new worst haircut of your life. You worry what people will think of you if they see you sporting a rough new hairdo. But who’s going to see you when you’re quarantined in your home? With that in mind, there’s plenty of hairstyles that you might have always wanted to try that you now can.
For the fellas, a pair of clippers is your friend. Ever wonder what you’d look like with a crew cut? Well, worry no more. Did you stream Taxi Driver while at home and are now interested in trying DeNiro’s mohawk from the latter half of the movie? Or maybe you’ve never even heard of Taxi Driver but still want a mohawk? Go ahead. Want to go with the monk cut for the sake of a single joke? Try it out.
For the ladies, you’ve got plenty of time. Time-consuming braids are suddenly a much better deal when time is all you have. Curling or straightening your hair, whichever the case might be, is also an option. Don’t think that the guys get exclusive use of the clippers either. Side cuts for girls are growing in popularity and a very futuristic and edgy haircut could be just what you need to get through the quarantine. Bangs, of course, are just as much an option now as they always are.
Changing your hairstyle can go beyond just the style itself. Dying your hair a crazy color that you’ve always wanted to try is now more viable than it ever will be. Make sure to follow instructions closely to prevent harm to your hair, scalp, or eyes.
For those able to grow facial hair, now is a great time to experiment with beards or mustaches. You are able to get past that awkward, patchy stage of growing a beard in the comfort of your own home and come out of quarantine with a full and impressive beard or sculpted mustache. The CDC released a chart of which facial hair styles are safe for use with a mask, and if you’re required to wear a mask for your job or responsibilities, then make sure that your new facial hair complies. For those who don’t have to wear a mask, the chart is still a great resource, but as an inspiration towards what to grow next.
For those on the front lines who have to continue working throughout the quarantine, or those who telecommute to their office job, make sure to exercise caution and make sure that your hairstyle doesn’t violate the employee handbook or style requirements. Remember also that if you are scheduled to conduct an online interview for a job or internship, you might want to stay clean-shaven with your hair in a more conservative cut. Everyone else though? You really can do whatever you want.
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