BEAUTY salons will be back in business next week, and clients are already busy booking appointments at salons across the region.
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The announcement beauticians could re-open on June 1 was only made official on Sunday, as the state government gradually lifts COVID-19 restrictions.
Tamworth's Boss Beauty owner Mikayla McCulloch and Euphoria Hair Beauty Spa owner Lorraine Cloake said they are keen to open their doors on Monday morning.
Ms McCulloch said she's already close to being fully-booked for the next month.
"I guess this shows how eager the clients were to come back, so it's amazing for me and it's very busy," she said.
"I'm looking forward to seeing my clients and giving them beautiful brows again ... I'm just so excited, for myself and also my clients."
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As the sole staff member at Boss Beauty, Ms McCulloch said her industry is a very social one, so going from full-time beautician to "zero income" and zero client interaction has been a huge personal challenge.
Although isolation has meant more precious time spent with her little kids, she's ready to open and has a long to-do list to get ready for it - including staying positive.
"I guess it's a real weight lifted off our shoulders ... to know that we can go back and everything is well," she said.
Monday will also bring joy to clients of Euphoria in Tamworth, as owner Lorraine Cloake races to ready the salon for opening in the coming days.
She described the news as "overwhelming" at first, but said she's looking forward to seeing some of her long-standing customers.
"The actual fact of not being in a working environment for two months takes its toll on everyone, mental health after this will be a major problem I think," Ms Cloake said.
Euphoria's waiting list is enough to keep the staff, who have been on JobKeeper payments, busy for at least the next few weeks.
But it won't be operation normal for salons and spas, and Ms Cloake and Ms McCulloch are taking extra safety precautions, as the threat of COVID-19 still lingers.
"We'll be following all the COVID-19 government regulations like having clients filling out forms to say they haven't been overseas, they're not sick, we have to have a record of everyone that comes in and the time they come in, and we'll be having a thermometer and the social distancing," Ms Cloake said.
Gunnedah salon The Beauty Loft will also open on June 1, and owner Jayde Elkins said she's ready for a return to a bit of "normality".
"In reality, I'm aware that the idea of 'normal' is far from close and there are some massive changes we will all have to adapt to, I'm just grateful for the opportunity to return back to doing what I love," she said.
Police and crime reporter at the Newcastle Herald.
Police and crime reporter at the Newcastle Herald.
