ysolde

What's changed? What's stayed the same? Any tips and tricks you can share?

I was joking with a friend the other day that one good thing about being stuck at home is that I am trying all the anti-aging things I never have time for: the masks, the really heavy creams, all that stuff. I may come out of this looking a few years younger. Now that I can't have regular manicures, I am relying on heavy-duty (German) Nivea after hand washing, Dior's Creme Abricot on cuticles in the evening (this stuff is old, and smells old-fashioned, but it works nicely). I also just apply two coats of Dior's Nail Glow each week, as this is the extent of my manicuring skills. It gives just a slight, slight almost not there pinkish tint to what is essentially a clear finish on the nails. I've been mostly avoiding make-up, but when I have a Zoom call and need to look like I am more alive than mostly dead, I go with the Bobbi Brown Extra Tinted balm (which is discontinued, but I still have a couple of jars, so why not finish off what I have?), a bit of under eye concealer, a touch of cream blush, some mascara, and some lip gloss or lip balm. If I still look mostly dead, then I go in with a little bit of eyeliner. A bit of powder around anything that looks too shiny. Five minutes, easy, done.

I do desperately need highlights and a haircut, but there's nothing to be done there. Just wait.

BigLar

I'm definitely planning on shaving when this is all over. Maybe a haircut, too, although we do have a large soup bowl and some dog clippers - might give my daughter a whirl at it.

Probably a bath, too.

FlyerStef

My best tip for quick, no prep time zoom meetings - keep some scarves and bright lipstick near your computer. One scarf around the neckline, one around the hair (if needed, mine is ridiculously long and constantly sticking to my face since I'm using ALL the hydrating things right now), swipe of lipstick, maybe a teensy bit of powder for shine and you're camera ready.

ysolde

Oooh! Love the idea of keeping scarves near the computer! I have a couple of pinkish scarves that are just perfect for this time of year! This also helps with the issue of what top to wear and is it "nice" enough. I can pretty much stick to whatever t-shirt or sweater I have been wearing, and brighten it up with a scarf. Excellent idea!

ETA: And so true about using ALL the hydrating things these days. LOL.

gretchendz

Hilarious! I am seriously considering starting a website/blog/whatever devoted to Covid Hair!

fleedc

ysolde, I am doing something similar with the anti-aging stuff - have restarted using retinol while I've been home, as it normally makes me peel (which I know it's supposed to, at least initially) but I never can seem to get over that hump and past all that peeling to brighter, smoother skin. I figured right now is the best time to try to get my skin used to it, as I can handle the peeling since no one really sees me. Have been using for about six weeks at this point, and realistically probably have another month or so before I start seeing people on a regular basis, so fingers crossed that I get used to it by then.

Other than that, my skin care routine is basically the same as it was before, but makeup, hair care, and nails are non-existent compared to before all this. I've never worn a ton of makeup, but I never wear anything now unless I have a Zoom call, which isn't every day. My hair looks terrible (graying roots, eek), nails look terrible (took gel polish off and it tore up my nails, but hoping to redo them myself at some point). If I do have a Zoom/Skype/Adobe Connect/Teams call, I tend to put on lipstick, mascara, and a little moisturizer or highlighter - read somewhere that if the light catches it, it makes you look more "alive"? No idea if that's true or not - it might just make me look kind of oily or greasy, but I'm usually semi-happy with the way I look on these virtual calls.

BaliParis

I feel like I am doing more at home spa treatments. Hair routine includes weekly Black Castor Oil treatments on my scalp and weekly Amika nourishing mask or Briogeo Don't despair mask. Mostly air dry my wavy/curly hair now. I soak my feet with epsom salt and maybe some essential oil first, dry feet. Then use my Diamancel foot file. I find this method really gets the dead skin off. Moisturize with shea butter for super soft feet. I have been using my Retin-A Micro and my Gua Sha tools more. I haven't ordered much, trying to use up all my stuff. But I just ordered a Salux cloth the super hard version and Dermasuri mitt to exfoliate the body. I love Marvis toothpaste and now also Crest 3D Charcoal, It really cleans well.

I too am loving the silk scarves again. Dr. Birx always has one on and it really looks great.

gretchendz

I'm with you. My adult daughter said today "I can't remember when I ever saw you pull you hair into a ponytail before." Me--it's Covid hair baby! On the other hand, I have become quite meticulous about getting all my little skin tags pulled (or frozen) off...so that's an upside...The other upside is that I have been dying my hair so long that I no longer knew its true color. Sad to say, I know now....

BigLar

If this goes on long enough, I'm giving serious consideration to a ManBun.

Seriously, the rest of the hair (including facial) is so scraggly, if I were to walk down the street people would offer me their spare change.

freecia

Daytime Zoom calls - I open the blinds since my desk is near a window. Zoom blur mode on and dark virtual background similar color to my hair and this hides most hair flyaways. I bought a wired gaming mic for my over-ear Sony ANC headphones which makes for an easy wide headband. My usual bob length hair has gained low pony powers.

A good quarter of my skincare goes towards my scalp which can get dehydrated. Not stay at home specific but I use Aveda's scalp exfoliator on dry scalp pre-shampoo and Living Proof Dry Scalp Treatment after washing. I should also be drinking more water but I've found that I stand up less working from home than at the office. Perhaps it is because I usually don't wear my Apple Watch as much (stand reminder) or I'd built a decent habit of going to the break room.

Gothamista, a YT skin care guru, did a great video with a dermatologist + psychologist for mask induced acne mechanica & irritation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIDQCWbFs2Y I'd noticed mask acne and irritation mentioned on reddit Skincare Addiction https://www.reddit.com/r/SkincareAdd...f_coronavirus/ So I bought some Paula's Choice 2% BHA liquid since it will take a while to ship out and another trial size BHA 9 salicylic acid. I like the BHA9 for spot treating acne.

@BaliParis - YT recommended a Dr. Dray video on cracked feet. She recommended Kerasal ointment which has urea & will deeply exfoliate thick skin. I haven't used it myself but the reviews seemed good?

@BigLar - My male co-workers have been experimenting with facial hair and hair. I think it's kind of nice that guys have the opportunity to vary their hair and facial hair a bit. If they don't like it then they can keep the video off or grab a hat.


I would like to know how so many of the famous people in benefits while in "stay at home" mode don't have crazy hair growth and roots. I don't think all of them sport wigs or their own hair color... Perhaps some powder, box dye, or a dye kit from their hair stylist + long video chat? I think I also noticed someone's lash extensions getting a little patchy.

dekinridoine

I already downloaded TikTok and try to make videos. I wish this period to be finally over and I can return to normal and healthy life.

ysolde

freecia My roots are out of control. Although I must say it's been interesting to see what my natural hair color is. Well, what my natural hair colors are, actually. I had forgotten that I have an odd rainbow of colors in my head, from brown to auburn to golden highlights. There seem to be more golden highlights in there now than I remember, which makes me wonder whether those are the places that are going to go gray first.

I have also resorted to using a hot brush to straighten it after I wash it. I have long, dry, frizzy hair. Once or twice a week, I wash it and condition it. If it is feeling particularly dry, I apply a deep conditioner. After my shower, I apply styling products to prevent frizz. Then I let it air dry (which takes hours). I spray in a heat protectant. Then, I hot brush my hair in small sections. This takes about fifteen minutes. It gets rid of the frizz. It does not look as good as a professional blow-out, but It looks pretty good.

When I need make-up lately, I am loving one of my Charlotte Tilbury "Instant Face In a Palette" (it's the Smokey Eye Beauty). I use all the eye colors (except I use the matte black as an eye liner). I use the bronzer and the highlighter (using a very light hand on both, though I have to say that the bronzer is a wonderful, cool tone -- a rare find). I skip the blush and use the Hourglass Ethereal Glow blush. I use whatever mascara is handy and Anastasia brow gel. It's such an easy look. Too bad I find the cheek colors in the palette run way too dark for my coloring. Oh, well -- you can't have it all.

FlyerStef

My colorist has been offering to send out root kits for weeks and I finally caved. Got the kit Wednesday, did it last night, and holy cow ladies...do the roots!!

i don’t know about you all, but when my roots get long, I feel like I look messy & sloppy no matter how hard I try to style my hair. I dye my hair brown with highlights, but my natural color now is dark grey with streaks of silver, and I had a solid inch and a half of it.

But even an imperfect dye job like what I’m capable of made things look so much better, and makes me feel like i have presentable hair again. It’s still too long, but tolerable, and I didn’t destroy the highlights.

so if you were on the ledge about doing your own roots, I definitely suggest it. If i can do it, anyone can!!

ysolde

I finally got my color done in July. I have to admit -- everything is different. There are fewer people in the salon (no color assistants, no assistants to wash your hair). Everyone wearing face masks. No one waiting for appointments, No one idling about. Lots of space between salon chairs. I also got my hair cut. I had to make a decision -- major cut, or just leave it long and cut the shaggy ends off. In the end, my stylist said (in spite of my age), my hair looks good long, and we went for what she called a "Boho chic" look. It's easy to style and maintain the length in this time of pandemic, when I am not going to be going in for a haircut every month. I'll have the color done again in September/October, and maybe get the ends looked at again then. We'll see.

I am also keeping my makeup fairly minimal. Loving my Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation (less than a pump). A little bit of under eye concealer (because my under eye dark circles are just EVIL). A little bit of Laura Mercier translucent face powder. Then the Charlotte Tilbury Instant Face in a Palette (Smokey Eye Beauty), love the soft pinky eyeshadow and cool brown shadow. Both work well by day. I have been using the matte black eyeshadow color as eyeliner (top only), using a light hand with the bronzer and swish blusher colors and skipping that dark blush ("Pop") color altogether. Often skipping the highlighter color because, while it is beautiful, I haven't gotten the hang of wearing highlighter by day. Then I add a bit of brow color (Anastasia brow gel in golden blonde or something like that), a single coat of black mascara (currently YSL le shock), and a coat of lipstick (Chantecaille Gypsy Rose) and I call it a morning. It's a very natural look, but the matte black eyeshadow as liner and black mascara highlights my hazel eyes just a bit more dramatically than I would if I were not wearing a face mask as an accessory.

ysolde

So, I finally took the plunge. After months of reading reviews of the Revlon One Step Hair Dryer and Volumizer (and checking out styling reviews of the gadget on You Tube), I decided to take the plunge and ordered one on Amazon. Everything is available (overnight, even) on Amazon. I have dry, frizzy, impossible to style hair. Even in my travels, one of the first things I do is ask the hotel concierge to make me an appointment with a good hair salon for a blow-out. I just can't with my hair. So the pandemic has been difficult for me.

I have to say, the Revlon hair dryer (basically a blow dryer with an oval hair brush built in) has been a game-changer. I do have to condition very well (sometimes I mask, sometimes I just use a good conditioner). In addition, I use a leave-in conditioner as well as styling cream after towel-drying my hair. Because the hair dryer gets very hot and very close to the hair, I use a heat protectant. I also don't start until my hair is about 75% dry. More than that and it will frizz. Less than that and it will overstretch and damage the wet hair. Also (and please note that my hair is dry and frizzy), I only wash my hair once or twice a week.

It does not look as perfect as when it is professionally styled, but it looks pretty darn good -- smooth, silky, soft. And no damage.