Five things that changed in my beauty routine because of the pandemic

At the start of the quarantine way back in March, I was joking to my friends, “I wash my hands so much now, my nail polish just can’t stand a chance!” 

Not quite a germophobe but wary of germ-caused illnesses, I’ve always been a fan of hand washing, but I have never ever washed my hands so often in my life. So bye-bye, nail polish. Within weeks, I discovered I’ve changed many of my beauty rituals. 

Here are five examples of what’s changed!

I wash everything for at least 20 seconds. 

After I learned that it takes that much time to kill bacteria, I now wash every part of me - from washing my face and shampooing my scalp to soaping all the folds of my body (neck, armpits, etc) - for at least 20 seconds. My quick shower is now officially a thing of the past.

Beauty industry effect: Products that will make baths a more luxurious cleansing ritual will be in demand. Products that are deeply cleansing plus moisturizing will also fly off the shelves.

My nails are short. 

After I read that the novel coronavirus may get stuck underneath long nails, I cut mine short. Is there clear evidence of the virus attacking us from our own nails? I don’t know. I just decided to be safe than sorry. Also, as mentioned, I stopped wearing nail polish because of my frequent hand washing, which on top of all the cooking I’m now doing while in quarantine, has caused my polish to chip and peel fast.

Beauty industry effect: I foresee home kits featuring manicure sets and base coats that will make polish adhere longer. 

I am now skincare obsessed.

Because of my super hectic schedule as a working mom, I gave my skin the bare minimum care. Now that quarantine is here, I have time to really pamper my skin - not just my face but also my entire body. 

Beauty industry effect: Since makeup won’t matter so much while stuck at home, skin care products will be added to every beauty lover’s online cart.

I prettify for video calls.

That means darker brows, just a bit thicker eyeliner, and bright lipstick. I’m going for definition since Zoom calls are so low-def I look washed out, and yet I also want to go for that balance of well-groomed and awake at home but not heavily made up. This also means wearing interesting earrings or neckpieces, or a blouse with an interesting neckline. No strapless tops because I look naked.

Beauty industry effect: For those who must wear masks to go to the office, eye makeup products will be in demand everywhere - brow pencils, mascara, eyeliner, eyeshadow. 

I’m now cutting hair.

I miss going to the salon but I don’t miss it enough to risk my life. So apart from giving myself my own mani-pedi, foot scrubs, and brow grooming, I have also learned to cut hair - my kids’ and my own. Thanks, countless YouTube videos!

Speaking of hair, I think the most important thing I changed during quarantine is my attitude towards beauty. I’m learning to let go of my hair obsessions, for example, like perfect layers, no roots showing, and a smooth, hairless body. I’m not even a hair perfectionist but I do believe in good grooming. Yet quarantine made me relax a bit. Not too much (like I said, I believe in good grooming!), but I’ve learned to appreciate the luxury of loving my natural state. 

Perhaps it has something to do with celebrities like Eva Longoria sharing on Instagram their inches-long gray roots. Or the sexy Emily Ratjatkowski taking scissors to her hair and not caring about how blunt and choppy her ends are. Perhaps it’s the release from the expectations of the outside world on what I should look like. Perhaps it’s realizing there are other things in life that are beautiful, too, like seeing my children grow, enjoying a homecooked meal without rushing to go to work, and getting a good night’s sleep. And that’s a beautiful change.