#LifeInLockdown: How to maintain your locks during lockdown

It's been over 21 days that India has been under lockdown with nothing but essential services available. Quite understandable then, that by now, most of us have begun channelling our inner hair dressers. Even celebs are taking the same route, with footballer David Beckham sharing his buzz cut earlier this month, on social media. Singer Pink, actor Scott Evans and even youngsters like Nobel Prize winner Malala Yousafzai have been giving this a try.Closer home too, Bollywood actress Huma Qureshi shared her new fringe look whereas cricketer Virat Kohli posted an adorable video of wife Anushka Sharma giving him a haircut. Kannada Television host and actor Akul Balaji also shared a picture of himself sporting his latest look – a mowhawk. But if you're sceptical since you've never tried this at home, these expert pointers will help you get your mane selfie ready, even during the lockdown.
Use only hair-cutting shears
No, any pair of scissors won't do. Kolkata-based hair stylist, Melissa Taylor says that most amateurs make the mistake of using kitchen scissors while trimming, cutting off split ends or attempting a proper haircut. “Kitchen scissors have broader blades which are also less sharp, not giving the exact fine trim, which mostly leads to people cutting their hair over and over again,” she points out.
Get in the right position
There's a good reason why salon chairs are adjustable. Mumbai-based hairdresser and stylist, Pamela Mascarenhas says it is important to have a good view of the head you are working on. "While cutting someone else’s hair, ideally the person’s head should be on the same level as your midriff. Use a stool to elevate or opt for an adjustable sitting stool," she shares.
A tutorial can help
Before you begin your experiment, try watching a tutorial on how to achieve the style you are aiming at. NRI student from UK, Suvechchya Ghosh, who is in lockdown at Siliguri, did just that. “I followed a YouTube tutorial and managed to cut my long, back-length hair into a rough bob, a little less than shoulder length,” she beams.
Choose the right style for your hair length
Not sure what style you should go for? Experts recommend choosing based on the length of your hair. Delhi-based hair stylist Debanjalih Haldar says, "while those with shorter hair can work their haircut out by using a trimmer at home, people with longer hair in comparison have fewer options. If you are already sporting short hair, both boys and girls can opt for a buzz cut whereas people with longer hair can find this as the best time to cut off their split ends in a neat trim or try for something that would a little risky, like a rough bob."
Put off growing that beard till November
If you're thinking about letting your beard grow out during the lockdown, you might want to reconsider. According to an info-graphic released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2017, facial fuzz prevents masks or other kinds of breathing equipment from fitting properly on the face by creating gaps and not allowing the mask to seal itself around the face.