T-R photos by Anna Shearer Cherie Wacha styles a client’s hair at Marla’s Headliner on Tuesday.

Marshalltown salons have reopened, though everyone should continue taking precautions to avoid spreading the virus.

Marla Grabenbauer of Marla’s Headliner on Main said her business has been busy since reopening.

She said their books were quite full before they were required to close, so now they are working to fit everyone in.

“We’re still trying to get caught up,” Grabenbauer said.

She said there was no contest for what the most popular services are right now. Everyone is wanting to get their hair cut and colored after not being able to for two months.

Penny Kriegel, left, and Marla Grabenbauer greet clients at Marla’s Headliner while wearing masks on Tuesday.

There are certainly new challenges for salons while the nation continues to be hit by COVID-19.

“We have to sanitize after every client,” Grabenbauer said. “Anything they touch, anything we touch.”

All staff wear masks and the public is required to do so when in the salon. For those who may have forgotten one, there are free masks available.

The mask rule has gotten some pushback from the public. Businesses, however, are allowed to make their own judgments on how to best protect their staff and customers.

Despite some negativity, most clients have been supportive during this transition.

Grabenbauer said clients and members of the community have shown them kindness during this time.

As the stylists are independent contractors, they are not paid if they do not work.

“We appreciate the return of business,” she said. ” A lot of our clients have been very generous.”

Rosa Madrigal of Studio M said they have also had a lot of business since reopening May 15.

“It’s been crazy. I’ve been coming early and leaving late,” she said. “We’re trying to squeeze eight weeks into a couple.”

Madrigal said Balayage, which is dyeing the hair so it gradually gets lighter at the ends, has been popular with clients since opening the doors again. She said it is not surprising because it is low maintenance.

Madrigal has also spent some time correcting the at-home styling clients gave themselves.

“Of course, fixing what they messed up in quarantine,” she said.

Madrigal said staff at Studio M are working hard to keep clients safe. They are sanitizing between clients, asking everyone to wear face masks and have hand sanitizer available.

Studio M is also asking clients to wait in their cars until the stylists are ready for them to avoid contact in their waiting area.

Madrigal said many people reached out to her during quarantine to see how staff are doing and to purchase gift cards. She wanted to thank the salon’s clients for being understanding and caring during this time of transition.

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Contact Anna Shearer at ashearer@timesrepublican.com.