Quarantine Life got me discovering talents I never knew I had, as well as brushing up on old skills. From doing my own full set of acrylics to getting creative in the kitchen, utilising ingredients I have at hand. There's no more 'popping to the shops' every other day to pick up bits we need just because that's what we fancy for dinner. And I definitely cant pop to my regular nail salon to get infills and a fresh polish. So guess what? I've had to improvise!
It's amazing what you can achieve when your options are very limited. Just like I've had to get creative in the kitchen, I've also had to do the same with my beauty regime. I am going to share with you some of the things that have helped me to keep up my beauty routine during this period of quarantine-isolation-social distancing. I hope you find some of this information useful.
Where do I start?..
So if you follow me on Instagram then you will know that I love my hair extensions. I am lucky enough to be able to install them myself. After a few too many bad experiences at the hairdressers I was motivated to learn how to do my hair myself. I soon learned to do a sew-in weave on my own hair, although I do this over 2 days. I do the braids on the first day (usually takes a couple of hours), then sew in the weave on the second day. I usually do this on a weekend. It sounds like a long process but it's pretty straight forward. I could do it in a day if I had to, but I like to break it up.
With the current situation and everyone being at home, as well as trying to get to grips with homeschooling Aaliyah, there's a lot going on. When it comes to sewing in my hair extensions - Ain't Nobody Got Time For That!.
No. 1 - Make Your Own Clip-In Hair Extensions
In a fraction of the time it would take to get a weave or extensions done by other methods, attaching clips to the weft of the hair (Weave) will allow you to quickly and easily add length and fullness to your tresses without the need to visit a hair salon.
The hair I use is by Sleek Couture and I purchased the Clips on Amazon.
This hack has been a lifesaver for me and it also means I have more versatility when it comes to hairstyles. I can go from mid-length hair to waist-length in about 5 minutes. This hack will definitely see me through Quarantine and beyond.
No. 2 - At Home Hair Colour
I understand this may not work for everyone. I don't have 'Highlights' or 'Balayage' or anything like that, and I do not have any chemicals in my hair such as relaxers or keratin straightening. I know having these treatments will determine how you should or should not colour your hair, and doing so at home might not be an option. My hair is pretty low maintenance and I like to use a semi-permanent colour. My hair colour of choice at the moment is Jet Black or Blue Black. My favourite brand is L'Oréal Paris Casting Crème Gloss. I use the shade 210 which is a gorgeous, super shiny Blue Black. However after a few washes the hint of blue seems to disappear and I'm just left with Black, which I'm ok with. It's still a gorgeous colour that I return to time and time again. It works well at blending away my greys so I'm really happy with how it performs on my hair. Also it really does live up to its name, it is incredibly glossy and has not damaged my hair in any way. I'm not brave enough to go for a permanent colour yet. I like that it washes out after a while, especially as in the summer I like to go lighter.
No. 3 - Deep Conditioning Treatments
There's no excuse now as to why we don't have time to do a Hair Mask or Protein Treatment. To keep my hair healthy and strong I do a deep conditioning treatment once a week. There are lots of different products out there which cater to different types/needs. The product I'm loving at the moment is the L'Oréal Paris Elvive Full Resist Power Mask. It is described as a 'Multi-Use Hair Strengthening Mask', which contains Biotin, Vitamin B5 and Arginine. I apply this to my hair, after washing it twice with a hydrating shampoo, and cover with a shower cap for 15-20 minutes. It smells amazing and leaves my hair feeling really soft and well nourished.
HAIR REMOVAL:
No. 4 - At Home Wax Kits
Again this might not be for everyone, but I am the proud owner of a 'Wax Heater'. I've always had at-home waxing products as a back up plan, it comes in handy for quick touch-ups and those emergency occasions - like when I have an event to go to but I can't make it to a salon. There are so many easy to use products on the market, it's just a matter of finding one that is right for you. Remember to always read the instructions to avoid injury and irritation. I have been doing my own waxing for years so I am pretty confident at it and I know what works for me and what doesn't. I use a cream wax for shaping my eyebrows as I find this works best for me. I use a cream wax or honey wax on legs and underarms, while on bikini line I use a cream wax or hard wax.
What is the difference between Honey, Cream and Hard Wax?
Honey Wax is applied with a spatula, in the direction of the hair growth. A strip is required for removal. This is applied on top of the wax and smoothed for a few seconds in the direction of hair growth. The strip is then pulled away quickly in the opposite direction. Remember to stay close to the skin while doing so and avoid pulling upwards. This will limit discomfort.
Honey wax can be a little messy and it is very sticky. For this reason it is not recommended for more intimate waxing (Brazilian, Hollywood etc).
*Note: Never go over the same area twice, as dead skin is also removed along with hair.
Cream or Creme Wax is applied in the same way as Honey Wax, but it is a lot less sticky and is great for sensitive skin. These may come in different scents or contain different essential oils to cater to a variety of skin types.
*Note: Never go over the same area twice, as dead skin is also removed along with hair.
Hard Wax requires a higher heating temperature, so be aware - make sure you follow the instructions/guidelines.
It is applied to the skin with a spatular then left to set. It dries 'hard', no strips required!
To remove flick the end up to get a grip on the wax, then pull away in the opposite direction of hair growth.
*With Hard Wax you can apply to the same area to remove any missed hairs.
Ready To Use Wax Strips
Some brands also offer 'ready to use' wax strips. These come pre loaded with soft wax and are relatively easy to apply. Veet offer a great selection and you can pick them up from most drug stores or supermarkets.
Waxing Kits
There is a great selection of wax kits for at home use on the market. The one I have is the Rio Total Body Waxing Kit which comes with a wax heater, soft wax, hard wax, 20 spatulas, instruction DVD, wax strips and wax remover. Everything you need if you are a beginner.
*Note: Skin will need to be prepped before and after waxing to reduce irritation. Always follow the instructions.
Some areas of the body may be harder to do by yourself than others. Give yourself enough time, do not rush it. And for God's sake do not do what I did the first time and try to mentally prepare..... With a glass (or 2) of wine. You'll end up in a sticky mess!. When its all done you'll be really pleased to know the results will last for at least a month.
Aside from waxing there are of course many other ways you can remove unwanted hair at home. From razors and hair removal creams to epilators. There is something to suit everyone.
Nails
No. 5 - Try doing your usual nail treatment yourself, it's easier than you think.
I love having nice looking nails but I hate it when nail polish starts to chip. I am all about long lasting nail treatments. We are no-longer able to visit the nail salon, but that doesn't mean we can't create beautiful nails at home. For most of us we have been getting professional manicures for many many years and we have a sound idea of the process and techniques involved. Of course it's more of a treat and more relaxing to have your nails done by someone else (and its definitely quicker), but doing it yourself might not be as difficult as you think. I decided to have a go at doing a full set of Acrylics at home, and honestly I am really happy with the results. So much so that I am going to invest in an electric drill to make the process quicker next time. Also something I've discovered is that ordinary nail polish lasts much longer on Acrylic than it does on bare nails (almost the same longevity as a Gel Polish on top, but not as shiny). There are a range of nail kits available online and with a bit of practice you can achieve beautiful results at home. Below I have put together a list of products that may help you until your regular salon is open for business again.
Acrylic Nail Application:
500 Piece False Nails (Tips)
Acrylic Trial Pack
Brush Set
Primer
Nail Files
Nail Glue
Nail Cutter
Acrylic/Gel Polish Remover
Nail Drill
Crystal Nail Art Jars
Cuticle Oil
Gel Polish Application
Gel Polish Starter Kit with Lamp
Gel Polish Starter Kit
Mylee Professional Gel Polish Kit
Long Lasting Nail Polish
OPI (5 pack mini)
OPI (Passion)
Essie (Birthday Kit)
Sally Hansen Inst-Dri (Top Coat)
Maybelline Forever Strong Gel Nail Colour
Vitamins
No. 6 - Give Your Immune System a Boost
My final tip for maintaining your beauty regime during Quarantine is to make sure you are getting all the vitamins and nutrients you need. This will benefit your skin, hair, nails and overall wellbeing during this time. Try to eat a healthy balanced diet and think about maybe adding vitamin supplements to your routine. Being inside more, I found myself feeling tired and low on energy at times, so I started taking a multi vitamin and an iron supplement. I've noticed a difference in my skin and hair. I will definitely keep this up after Quarantine as I can see and feel the benefits. Remember to stay hydrated, if like me you get bored of drinking plain water why not try adding fruit to it. I often add a slice or two of lemon to my water bottle.
I hope you found some of this information helpful. Let me know if you have any Quarantine Beauty Hacks or if you have tried any of the ones above. My heart goes out to all the small businesses that have had to close during this time. If you are looking for ways to still support your favourite salons and therapists during this period here are a few ideas:
- Support your chosen salon by purchasing a gift voucher. This can be redeemed at a later date.
- Support your chosen salon by purchasing a gift voucher. This can be redeemed at a later date.
- Find out if you can purchase your usual products from them, they may be able to post it to you.
- Find out if they have an offer code to purchase products from other retailers where they will make a commission for referrals.
- Share any photos you have of yourself after having your favourite treatments and tag them in it. This costs nothing and will help promote their business and keep their social media presence up.
- Find out if they have an offer code to purchase products from other retailers where they will make a commission for referrals.
- Share any photos you have of yourself after having your favourite treatments and tag them in it. This costs nothing and will help promote their business and keep their social media presence up.
We are all in this together!
Look after yourselves and your loved ones. Stay Safe Everyone!
All the Best
Melinda x
*Disclaimer: Some of the links above are affiliate links. Using an affiliate link means that I may receive a small % of the revenue made from purchasing products through this link. This does not affect the price you pay or your shopping experience.
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