Stylists are bracing for a tangle of misbegotten hairdos as the COVID-19 pandemic has shuttered salons. It’s causing Canadians to either reveal their true colours or risk messing with do-it-yourself remedies. PEI Minister of Economic Growth, Tourism and Culture Matthew MacKay warned constituents earlier this week that they’d soon see his jet-black hair turn grey, and not just because of the stresses of coping with the crisis.

The 38-year-old wrote in a Facebook post that he dyes his hair and he figured he might as well tell everyone now because in two weeks they’ll find out anyhow.

Kelly McCarthy, a hair colourist in Mississauga, Ontario says she’s been fielding texts from clients who are similarly concerned that their not-so-golden locks will be exposed.

McCarthy warns that in the long run, it will cost them a lot more to undo the damage of box dye.

While we’re all stuck inside with no one to impress, she encourages people to return to their roots and embrace the natural ombre.

She adds – we can all get “post-pandemic makeovers” later.

Cassandra Balenzano, who runs Haircraft by Cass in Mississauga, Ontario says she’s been offering tips on Instagram about how to turn self-isolation into a time to give hair a vacation from the stresses of heat styling and chemicals.

Depending on how long this wears on, Balenzano says she’s considering posting tutorials on how to trim your fringe or clean up your partner’s crew cut.

While she agrees it’s best to leave the scissors to the pros, she knows some people will take things into their own hands.

Balenzano says she’s hoping to minimize the number of messes she’ll have to clean up later

Ed. Note: Fortunately, I decided a year or so ago to ditch the colour and go ‘au natural’ – having no idea what that would be after decades of dollars and colourists. Well, it worked out fine – but breaking out the scissors may be something else again!