In a bid to put an end to disastrous DIY lockdown haircuts, two entrepreneurial friends created a service where barbers walk customers through their home haircuts via a video call.
Lockdown Haircut was the brainchild of friends Dan Silvertown, 27, and Jeroen Sibia, 31, neither of who are barbers themselves.
They said: “With the prospect of a lockdown extension looming and Zoom video become the new normal, we were staring down the barrel of a DIY haircut over the Easter weekend.”
“Keen to avoid the dreaded bowl cut from mum, we tried and failed to find an alternative. And so Lockdown Haircut was born.”
The service launched on April 17 with the pair announcing their new endeavour on Twitter, saying: “Meet the world’s first virtual barber. Book an online appointment with a 5-star trained barber to save you from DIY disaster. We’re probably the only business that wants to go out of business, the sooner we can visit our local barbers, the better! All profits to the NHS.”
Each virtual consultation, which is for a 20-minute haircut, can be booked online and costs £15. The money is then split between the NHS and the barber, although all barbers who sign up to Lockdown Haircut have the option of also donating their portion to charity.
Ben, one of the Lockdown Haircut’s regular barbers and owner of Barber+Blow, donates his fees from all his cuts to The New Normal, a charity that connects young adults to help and support one another through life’s difficult moments.
Co-founder Dan said: “The reception has been amazing. It shows real community spirit that so far every barber we’re working with has offered to donate their wages to the NHS or another charity.”
Jeroen added: “By no means will this replace going to the actual local barber, but for now, it’s the next best thing.”
For those that do want to try out the service of a virtual barber, you will need your own electric razor or clippers, a comb and a laptop with a webcam. Customers can choose to either cut their own hair with the help of a barber or ask a family member to carry out the task for them.
All the barbers working with Lockdown Haircut come from top salons across the UK and are professionally qualified.
Since the service was launched, customers have taken to their Twitter page to post pictures of their before and after haircuts, each very satisfied with their new and improved look.
One particular customer was Stephen Lehec, headmaster to both Dan and Jeroen.
He said: “Headmaster to the two co-founders, at two different schools! What are the chances? Sounds like a great story and I am in line for a snip. You guys are going great work, raising money for the NHS with this initiative. I’m really very proud and delighted to support.”
If people do not want a haircut but would like to still support this fundraising service, they can go to the Lockdown Haircut website and simply donate £5 directly to the NHS.
