Clients are now able to remove their masks when receiving facial treatments, certain face tattoos, lip waxing, or certain face piercings.

The beautician providing the service must still wear a face mask at all times.

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Salons also need to follow other COVID-safe practices, like social distancing where possible and increased cleaning.

Kin Skin Makeup Body owner Amy Drummond said the face mask change - which came into force about two months after beauty services reopened - made all of the difference.

"We have seen a big increase in clients," she said. "A huge proportion of our services are skin based so the masks were having a big impact.

"Now that we're back open and everything is back in, it's starting to feel like normal. It's been great."

Jools for Jim owner Jill Cantwell said her businesses have also had an uptick in clients.

"There is definitely a confidence in the community," she said. "We're getting used to the new normal. People are being very respectful of the rules and are wearing the masks when they need to.

"But we have been able to do more services, which is great."

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Before November 22, clients were not allowed to take of their face masks for any treatments. Ms Cantwell said that rule was challenging.

"The team were super conscious of what they could and couldn't do," she said. "Sometimes clients were slightly disappointed that we couldn't bend the rules for them, but it was all for a great cause.

"There was a lot of anxiety because there was a lot of pressure. It's been pretty tough, but we're on the other side now."

Mrs Drummond said the constant state of limbo had been mentally challenging.

"The ups and downs of it have been really rough as a business owner," she said.

"But I've always tried to see the positives in it, whether that's the continued support online from clients or even just messages and nice feedback from social media."

Mrs Drummond said her business, which was celebrating its fourth birthday on Tuesday, was almost booked out for the rest of the year.

"We have had an influx of new clients, which has been really great," she said. "We have a really loyal client base who have been incredibly supportive.

"They make me really proud and we're very fortunate."

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