Seven mind-over-virus beauty hacks to try at home
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As the lockdown bites, do we really have time on our hands? When we’ve de-crusted the oven, hoovered the fridge, purged our wardrobes of moths, visibly mended the damage, primped the garden to Chelseaness and closed the book on Hilary Mantel, those of us who aren’t kiddie-wrangling, crocheting loo rolls or (heaven protect us) converting the spare room into an infirmary might just wonder what’s next.
So how are we looking? A tad frayed at the edges? If you’re like me, you’re still in shock. In the face of such grave adversity, lockdown beauty advice could easily sound trite, until you consider the very powerful role grooming plays in our morale and so ultimately, our immunity.
Throughout my long career as a beauty editor, I never lost sight of the importance of the first psycho-immunological studies from the 1980s that showed how a lick of lipstick or a hair brush heralds the ascent from illness and depression; or how a gesture as basic as applying face cream can encourage the elderly and infirm especially to stand that bit taller and walk with more confidence. When we look better, we feel stronger – simple as that. And the best news? It doesn’t take much.
Call me a turncoat, but I know I’m not the only one who thinks hyper-aquisitive, high-maintenance Insta-perfection had already reached its tipping point before the virus hit – and no bad thing. What Covid-19 is teaching me, is a waste not, want not approach to keeping up appearances. Fair enough, I’m still in post-move clear out mode, but my guess is we all have forgotten resources, both product and practise-wise to tide us over. Meanwhile, these mind-over-virus boosters might help to keep you going:
Mindful moisturising. Touch releases endorphins, feel-good chemicals stored in skin. While we’re short on hugs but large on time, do a five-minute facial massage focusing on tension points (always the jaw for me). Good to know you can use your regular moisturiser or night cream as a face mask – slap on extra and relax for 10 or 20 minutes, especially in the bath.
Spa soaking. Get the Epsom Salts out and sprinkle frankincense oil (relaxing, lung-strengthening) in the bath water, too. Twenty blissful minutes should soothe muscles and mind, Prosecco optional.
Hand and foot relief. Oh, I know. When’s the last time you painted yours nails yourself? Might take practise, but you know the drill – soak first, clean up cuticles, blot dry then polish. Multi-tone nails are trending, so do a different colour on each, keeping in the same spectrum for a look that’s definite, not daft. Now, there’s a job for those bottles that never get used…
Root routine. Crunch point, now salons have closed: should you grey or try to stay? Friends with highlights face a particular dilemma, since DIY tinting is virtually impossible. On the bright side, highlights help hide white, even if roots are longer. I used Colour Wow Root Cover Up , £28.50, until my own roots were too long to bother – then I just went cold turkey. A change of style helps – time for an up-do?
Makeup bag management. When’s the last time you cleaned your brushes? Professionals use ethanol, but chances are pharmacies have run out in the wake of DIY sanitisers. Shampoo and condition them, massaging and squeezing the base to loosen old colour. Rinse well, tweak into shape and air-dry upright in a glass. Clean your bag, tubes and nozzles with antiseptic wipes and feel virtuous.
Customised colours. Most of us have a core of daily go-to’s, while the rest of your slap collection languishes. Those lippies you weren’t sure about? Wear a different one each day just because. Or mix them on the back of your hand until you like what you see. Same goes for eyeshadows – have a play while no-one’s looking.
Sensual workout. How often do we really smell a perfume, actually listen to music, or appreciate how a sensual texture like cashmere can manipulate our mood? Our brains are wired up to interlink sensations, which is why we can sometimes ‘see’ or ‘hear’ perfume in colour and music. I’m having fun exercising synesthesia by matching old CDs to favourite fragrances and loving how they intensify each other. Try it when you’re wearing a super-comfy jumper, say. The effect can be profoundly calming or uplifting – a security blanket when you’re down.
Discussion (38 Comments)
MaryG says:
Decrust the oven? I have to save SOMETHING for the next weeks, months to enjoy! Still pulling out weeds in the garden but, unusually, they are slow to grow, and soon even that pleasure will be denied me.
Thanks so much for blogging so often. It brightens the day no end!
Angelina says:
Thanks for this article, it came just as I was donning my boilersuit to do some painting (A wall in the garden.. nothing wildly creative-sorry!!) I was makeup -free but then decided a slick of lippy and little mascara were in order and TA DA , mood lifted. Face suitably cheered up , I even sought out a paisley scarf to tie round my hair. Now I feel a cup of tea in my favourite mug is in order before I set to with the paintbrush. Keep sending us these articles Alyson, small things can make a big difference in these times.
Elizabeth says:
I love this. I have been wearing a different vintage dress each day, usually reserved for weekends and evenings. I feel so much better for keeping to my usual make up routine instead of letting things slide just because nobody sees me (apart from Himself, nose in laptop working from home)
I’ve only recently discovered your blog and am enjoying the read, thank you.Boadicea says:
I’ve always done my own nails so I’d love to know the make/colour of that polish (and lipstick) in the photo. Both look gorgeous. I’ve been giving my nails a rest for the past fortnight, just using hand cream and then nail oil at night but am now more than ready to get the old claws back!
Incidentally, did I really read about staff in a Boots store somewhere refusing to sell a lady mascara, or whatever cosmetic it was? If so, shame on them!
Anne says:
What a joyous post. Thank you. I decided to wear red lipstick everyday of my self isolation, in the house cleaning out cupboards, out for my walk and gardening. It lifts the spirits and makes any Zoom or WhatsApps brighter.
Anne, I’ve been looking for the right shade of red for me all my life! What are you sporting right now, please? All and any suggestions for an old crone – 80 next week but not over the hill yet – which doesn’t make her (ME!) look like an old crone, would be most welcome. I have silver hair and a medium sort of complexion and fear I’ll never find a lipstick that looks less like a slash and more like a happy smile.
Thanks for any help.Theresa Proctor says:
Mac Ruby Woo or L’Oréal 461 are my two favourite reds, i also have white hair so avoid anything with a brownish tone. Good luck
Martine Large says:
Thanks for this, Alyson. I woke up feeling bleugh this morning, and you’ve reminded me of the importance of taking care of ourselves – and that that can be as simple as putting on a bit of lippie.
Rholda says:
I am certainly wearing less makeup but find lipstick essential to brighten my face and mood and spending more time moisturising my skin and looking after my hands. First few days easy to just wear gym clothes but that affects my mood so something nice but extra comfortable also helps.
Anne Murphy says:
Interesting,…..My hair is silver & shoulder length, my moisturiser is from Aldi, (Caviar) gets great reviews, as is my body lotion. I have a regular face pack purchased from one of the ‘cheapie’ shops. I manicure & paint my nails myself. I enjoy a regular home foot soak & pedicure., nails painted in the summer. A touch of Garnier self tan on my face. & a loofah belt to use n the shower. All the above to purchase at a supermarket. CV19 has not interfered with my beauty routine!!!
Jane says:
I really do appreciate ALL your messages! I love the variety! One day it’s hand cream, the next it’s beauty tips, we need them all in these dark days! For myself, I find the daily shower/hair wash/make up ritual essential to keep me feeling human and able to face the world stronger. Thanks, Alyson, for all you’re doing to help us along, day by day.!
Joyce Morris says:
I find, since the seriousness of this hideous thing became clear , if I do mundane chores, as in vacuuming, ironing etc. in a ‘posh frock’, as opposed to my usual, house cleaning slobbies, plus the addition of some makeup, I feel far more uplifted and positive .
Marcy Stollon says:
Thanks so much for this post, just what i needed today ( and for making me laugh when i read about crocheting loo covers).
maudie says:
I realised the ‘slobdom’ of last week – although a novelty – was not doing me much good. Today on went mascara, lippie and blush. Cracked out a scarf to arrange Isadora-fash around my neck and feel so much better. I hope the queue outside my Tesco Express noticed my Enhanced Isolation Efforts! I had my gel polish removed the day before the shop closed – I am now left with ultra-thin, short and peeling nails but what a perfect time to slather on some oil and get them back to health again. Vanity is one thing but some semblance of self-care will surely keep us sane? Stay sane and happy everyone!
Jacqui MacPherson says:
Any more hair colouring tips welcome please and I will try that Aldi face cream!
This site is so much fun away from the ‘office’ thank you.It’s brilliant, Jacqui compared to La Prairie in several reviews I’ve read. Round about the £6 mark. #be safe!
Lorraine says:
This article hits the spot about the positive effects on mood of making an effort with one’s appearance, but I’m interested to see how we’ll all cope with our hair as it grows out of its usual salon style over the weeks ahead. When my hairdresser phoned to say her salon was closing, she reckoned the answer could be hair slides and pony tails – and a lot of restorative work for the professionals eventually! So far I’ve had to trim my fringe and top layers but I foresee trouble ahead. What are others planning on doing (grey plaits, says one friend).
Mrs Tonia says:
Hi Lorraine. Hair slides or little clips are a boon to Pull hair off face and try a new style. I’m using mine more than ever to keep from touching face. Less hair in face, less flicking it out of the way.
And what about ribbons, scarves folded and used as hair bands, the old fashioned ways to cope with growing out hair.
Thanks to Vicci and to Alyson for inviting her to be a guest contributor to share some tips. I’m of the school of wearing makeup every day whatever I’m doing come rain or shine or gym or something professional. So no change to daily routine now. Hair brushing, perfume several times a day, and some face cream, eye cream, eye shadow, blusher and lipstick always.
Learning to live on a budget in past few years I’ve bought far less premium products and scarcely any new lipsticks or eye shadows. I’ve become inventive with the makeup brushes I own. I wash them with hand wash, dry in a tissue and place in toothbrush rack to air dry. I mix colours using up Clinique samples, from their promotions, on my hand then lips with a brush. For eyes using up the multi-colour palettes I have, basic colour as base then more layers as day goes on. Again it doesn’t matter if one experiments with colours and textures.
For hair, no more than five days for hair washing, now no straightening or elaborate drying. Having grown out dye completely maybe two years ago, natural hair texture is vastly improved, and less needing of attention. Who knew that this would be an added bonus. For nails, filing and cuticle oil on finger nails, no polish, but handwashing repeatedly helps nails to split more than ever. A break from toe polish beneficial. Cuticle oil on toenails good too. A very poor job of doing my own nail varnish but who cares since my feet won’t be seen. And use of bottles in back of cupboard a good use of stock.
My good wishes to everyone out there. Keep safe and well.
Rosemary says:
Thanks, Mrs Tonia for your post and all your other ones too. I do like your way of looking at the world.
I’m with you and the other ladies concerning using up old make-up. I even have a lipstick which I bought for one of my daughter’s wedding about 12 years ago. It’s a Dior (splashed out for the special occasion), rather strange pink affair which doesn’t go with everything but which is still lovely and creamy and easy to put on when I do decide to use it.
Also, I’ve found that using a lip brush to put lipstick on not only helps keep it on much longer but also uses it up less.
Also, thank you Vikki for this post.
Madeleine Munday says:
Thanks for these posts. I read them avidly, and have been for quite a long time, but don’t usually comment. They are so uplifitng.
Alex Ibsen says:
Hurrahsicles for makeup! Never thought you’d venture there, but SO glad you did. I never step out without lipstick & liner. You’re so right – I’m going to wear some indoors and do my nails right now.
We have to keep our spirits up in every way possible. I’m going to get my hens together on zoom & get dressed up for a drinks night, with the girls!
Thanks Vicci and Alyson for your inspirational posts. Big love to you all xxxMary says:
Dear Alyson (and Vicci),
You may have read this inspiring book – “The Thoughtful Dresser: The Art of Adornment, the Pleasures of Shopping, and Why Clothes Matter” by Linda Grant, but if not I highly recommend it. Among other wonderful stories it includes a chapter (or part of one) on the power of lipstick.
Thank you for your always-great posts!Hi Mary, thanks for commenting and yes, that is a great book. I’m a Linda Grant fan, such a brilliant writer. I’ll add this to the list for my upcoming post on books, podcasts and films to check out during the pandemic.
Kalsreds says:
Please keep the blogs coming. You’re doing a great service by brightening our days and lifting our spirits. Along with the make up & pampering tips which I totally agree with you are a tonic on your own!!
Sam says:
Just organised zoom for my relatives and friends, yippee catch ups 🙂 We will ‘glam up’ for my sister’s 60th birthday – frocks, make up, hair and genuine artificial diamonds 🙂
Spending more time in the garden as autumn is upon us here, but still able to plant veg that will produce over winter, so hand and foot care happening.
Sunscreen (Aldi) moisturiser as I was a tad sunburnt the first gardening day!
Glamour in the garden – all my unloved lippies, brow shading pencils and mascara – beeutiful. Don’t think the weeds or plants appreciate my perfume 🙂
Fresh home grown food (skin food) today – zucchini, silverbeet, tomatoes, beans, snowpeas, lemons, rhubarb, parsley and mint everywhere:)
Luckily my hair grew out to ‘silver’ so pleased I don’t have to do much with it – caps and then knitted beanies for the coming winter hibernation might be a trend 🙂
Ah sleep – the wonder drug – I am trying to build up my store before we have the 2 yr old grandson while our daughter has her baby. So good to read your ideas from over here.
Sam the AussieLiz says:
Just a note about makeup brushes. You don’t want to condition them, you just need to use a tiny bit of mild shampoo (baby shampoo is ideal), and be careful to rinse them well in tepid water not hot, trying not to get the area above the bristles wet. And regards drying, the last thing you want to do is dry them bristles upwards in a glass. That is the best way to make the bristles fall out. Dry them on a flat surface, on some kitchen roll, surface angled downwards so that damp doesn’t seep into the ferrule.
Liz says:
So lovely to hear how everyone is navigating their way through this pandemic. Please may I ask you to consider, when going manicures, how the state of your hands (and fingernails in particular) can reduce risk of cross contamination. https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20160622-what-lives-under-your-fingernails
Ana says:
You are absolutely right; I am a biochemist working at the bacteriology laboratory of a hospital, and the infectious diseases specialist has strongly advised all hospital workers to keep their nails short.
Isobel says:
No make-up for me, folks! So no worrying about “languishing” products or cleaning out a makeup bag. But lots of lovely soaps from the Australian Botanical Soap Company, and favourite moisturisers from Antipodes, Weleda, Trilogy, Endota Spa, Sukin from which to choose, plus lip balm frequently applied.
I’ve just splurged online and, any day now, am expecting little parcels from local businesses, of luxurious comfy socks, just in time for the cold autumn mornings here in Tasmania! Gentle scents for my body, cashmere, mohair, wool and cotton for my tootsies…what more could I ask for?!Wendy Wright says:
Wow Jan what an amazing article and what a response. I’ve been reading all the comments and feel so proud to call you a friend. You look amazing and love the look on your face in comfy shoes pic. Truly a stylish lady, beautiful outside and in. Keep safe and strong, much love Wendy xxx
Sarah C says:
I’ve been cutting and colouring my own (curly) hair for years. Curly hair is forgiving of cutting mistakes but I make a fairly decent job of a jaw length bob. It’s the colour that’s now the issue – I can’t get out to buy my usual root touch up so am letting my grey grow in. I plan to cut it shorter each time but the lock-down needs to last another three months for this to be successful. If anyone has a better idea I would be truly grateful!
Reading your article, I remembered an excellent book that I read many years’ ago: ‘How we survived communism and even laughed’ by Slavenka Drakulic. Each chapter described how people enabled their expression and joy, despite the austere environment.
In one chapter, women, who worked long hours in heavy manual labour, would melt together the stubs of their collective lipsticks, to have just enough to make one, so that they could feel feminine.
Sara Lubowitz 
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Haha, I’m ahead of you this morning. I’m recovering from ‘it’ (mild case, but gah, the coughing), last night I soaked in the bath, this morning I put on some favourite clothes, including a silky soft cashmere jumper, tied a scarf at my neck, added a little colour and highlighter to cheeks and lips and did my hair. It took minutes, but I feel so much better after days of leggings and sweatshirts.
Maybe I’ll add some perfume tomorrow!