Self-Isolation: How to Maintain Your Hair, Nails, Brows, and Lashes

When it comes to our beauty routines, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has wreaked some havoc. While we’ve been able to adapt most aspects of our routines, from work to workouts, our beauty upkeep is a whole other story.

Unable to get our hair, nails, lashes, brows (the list goes on) done under the COVID-19 social distancing rules, it’s time to take measures into our own hands.

And because we’ve all seen the horrific before-and-after shots of home-beauty-jobs gone wrong, we’ve got you covered (with a little expert help, of course).

Brows and Facial Hair

Tinting: Tinting and dying can seem daunting, but when it comes to coloring your brows, it’s relatively easy. And now, there are even plant-based formulas for sensitive skin types who may have trouble using peroxide.

Here are our top tips for dying your eyebrows at home:

• If you’re unsure of what color you should purchase, always go for the lighter option. It’s better to have a subtle result than a really dark color. 
• When applying the tint, it can leave color residue on your skin. Try to apply the color in the shape you want/wear your brows. Use a Q-Tip to get rid of the excess tint around the hair, so it doesn’t stain the skin.  
• Do not fear! Now is the perfect time to trial at home beauty hacks and DIYs. Your pet dog is probably the only person who has to see your brows and if something doesn’t go according to plan, they’ll love you regardless.

Waxing and Shaping

Your natural instinct may have you reaching for your tweezers, but stop right there! While tweezing may be the answer for those who have slow-growing or fine brows, those who are one the, er, bushier side, may want to opt for a more proactive approach.

Hair grows in cycles, so if you start plucking stray hairs as they come through, you’re going to have trouble scheduling regular appointments post-isolation. You can purchase wax kits for home online or at your local drug store.

If you’re happy to tweeze, Amy Jean from Amy Jean Brow Agency advises you to follow these simple rules:

• Always draw on your desired brow shape BEFORE you start tweezing, not the other way around.
• Invest in good quality tweezers
• Never trim your brows with scissors.

Our Tip: Play it safe. Keep to the shape your brow technician has created for you with a little wiggle room, just in case. This way, you can remove the bulk of the hair in one swift go, and pluck the remaining hairs closer to your brow line to minimize any accidents. 

If the idea of a DIY wax has you shaking your head, you can also try a face and brow razor. These are completely safe to use — they work similar to a regular razor, but with closer precision. 

Both of the above options can be purchased from your local supermarket or pharmacy and also work a treat for the sneaky peach fuzz (read: lady mustache) that can appear around your upper lip.

If all of the above isn’t for you, virtual brow appointments are now a thing.

Hair

Going without your regular trim is one thing, but regrowth and color is another. We spoke to Filio Gelasakis, head stylist at haircare brand Daily Naturals, for tips on maintaining your locks while in lockdown.

“Our number one tip is “moisture, moisture, moisture” with treatments, masks, and conditioning! This is the time where you can soak in a leave-in mask and let it do all the magic,” Filio says.

As for your regrowth, Filio advises you avoid self-coloring (and potentially ruining your stylists hard work).

“We know you’ll be dying to cover up those roots, but if you can hold off, we recommend using color sprays and ‘root cover-ups’ and waiting until you can see your hairdresser professionally.

“It’s more important for your hair to be healthier during these times. Plus, going natural is a huge trend at the moment, and the regrowth look may just suit you!”

Nails

Whether you have acrylics, gel, shellac, or plain polish on, there’s an array of ways to keep your mani fresh. Extend the life of your acrylic nails with this creative polish hack from beauty blogger Lizzy from What Would Lizzy Do.

If you have a Shellac or gel mani, your best option may be removing the color at home, which can be done with a bit of acetone nail polish and a lot of patience. 

Soak cotton pads in the remover before placing over the nail and wrapping in foil. Leave on for 10 minutes before twisting and removing the foil, then gently flake away the polish.

Whatever you do, do not scrape. Scraping causes damage to your natural nail.

If you’re having trouble removing some color, continue to apply acetone with a cotton pad as you would with regular polish and flake away.

Lashes

When it comes to keeping your fluttery lashes looking full, there are few options in these hard times. Instead of trying to maintain your extensions for, let’s face it, no one to see, take this opportunity to strengthen your natural lashes.

We asked Lady Lash Australia founder Charlotte about how to help you (and your lashes) make the most of self-isolation. 

“If you have to have a forced break and that’s where the world is going, it’s a great time to focus on your natural lash health,” she said. 

“A good lash growth serum would be important in this time to regenerate your natural lashes. The healthier your natural lashes are, the more flexible you can be with your extensions.”

If you do opt to go au natural, by choice or force, Charlotte advises you let the extensions fall out over time. 

“The worst thing you can do is pick and pull at them as it can cause damage,” she warned. 

“We don’t encourage you to try take your lashes off yourself, but oily products can shorten the life span of your extensions. I’d say put a little bit of coconut oil on and they’ll come off maybe 50 percent faster, but it won’t be over night.”

If you’re finding life without your lashes tough, try an at-home lash tint or a plumping mascara.

This article originally appeared on our sister site, Now to Love