Working in Clark County: Devin McFeron, stylist at Finesse Beauty Bar

If there’s one thing many people have been vocal about missing during the pandemic, it’s haircuts.

While we were all having a good laugh observing home-styled hairdos on social media, salon workers like Devin McFeron, a lifelong Vancouverite, were out of a job.

However, McFeron welcomed her first client back on Monday following Gov. Jay Inslee’s approval of Clark County to enter Phase 2 on June 5. Phase 2 included guidelines for “Personal Services” to reopen — meaning hair stylists, barbers, makeup artists, tattoo artists, cosmetology schools, nail salon workers and the like.

“With (COVID-19) hitting, at the beginning we weren’t eligible to collect unemployment,” McFeron said on a phone call between client appointments. “My husband was working, so we were able to live off of his income.”

McFeron, 27, though she works at Finesse Beauty Bar in Battle Ground, is technically self-employed. “Booth renting” is a different type of business model from places like Supercuts; it’s an option some stylists consider when they are interested in more independence and flexible schedules.

The federal CARES Act eventually expanded its unemployment programs and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance — a separate benefit program to cover self-employed people, independent contractors and part-time workers. But McFeron is back in business now, though things are a little different.

“The people with super-short haircuts I feel like are struggling. People with long layers can wait because they still look decent,” McFeron said. “The more maintenance-required haircuts I put first.”

The Columbian caught up with her to learn more about how she’s navigating her job.

Tell me about yourself.

I grew up in Vancouver, born and raised. I’m married, I have two amazing cats — our cat kids. I actually didn’t always want to be a stylist. When I was 17, I watched a lot of YouTube videos, and my mom was like, “Why don’t you be a makeup artist?” I was like, “No mom, I need a real job.” Later on I started nannying for a family that owned a hair salon in the area. They didn’t need a nanny anymore and asked, “Hey, do you want to be a receptionist at our salon?” I got obsessive watching the stylists cut hair. I was seeing the techniques and just wanted to get into it.

What was life like for you before you could return to work?

I mean I was pretty affected because I didn’t work the whole time. We shut down the week of March 15. I hadn’t been working that whole time. My husband was working, but his work had changed — they worked different shifts. I started figuring out hobbies. I started running because I knew that my body was not being attuned to working still. I tried to work out or something so I didn’t come back dead. I talk to my cats a lot, to be honest. I planted some plants. The usual things you do when you don’t know what to do. It’s different now because I’m working again. It’s still a little different with the regulations.

What are salon workers having to do?

We got a huge packet of guidelines we had to read through before we opened. Stylists are required to wear face masks. We’re supposed to have different people in different break rooms. Every time I have a client, if they touch something I have to wipe it down. We have a thermometer at work. I created a Google form for my clients to fill out. I am having them do at-home checks and trusting that they aren’t coming in (sick). We all know what the symptoms at this point. If you’re showing symptoms, don’t come in.

Are you wearing a mask your entire shift?

So we have a back patio on our salon — it’s like a deck, almost. On our breaks and things we take our masks off to like, breathe. I have been scheduling a 15- to 20-minute increment between each client so I have time to clean and take my mask off and take a breather before I have my next client.

Was it tough not being able to collect unemployment initially?

When they finally came out with PUA, people who were self-employed could apply for unemployment. I was one of the few who did receive benefits, so that was nice. It was a huge help. As a booth renter, not a lot of people realize we still had to pay booth rent. It was strictly because the owner of the building still had to pay the mortgage, so we still have to pay the rent. Some people charge weekly. Some people charge monthly. It depends on how much you work and things like that. I currently pay $525 a month.

What’s one of the biggest challenges in this line of work?

I would say one of them would be reading people. Because like if someone says, “I don’t like how my hair looks,” you have to figure out why they don’t like it, what they need changed — just communicating a lot more. Communicating is a big deal in our industry. Also a big challenge is making sure your body is in tune with being a stylist. We’re on our feet 8 to 10 hours a day. Our upper back, shoulders, lower back, is very much in use. Making sure your body is capable of doing those things and making sure that you stretch and take care of yourself. I’m notorious for locking my knees.