ART OF BEAUTY | BEAUTY IN THE AGE OF COVID

Beauty in the age of COVID 19

Covid 19 has caused all of us to rethink how we work, go to school, stay connected and show beauty despite masks. With regulations in

place, going to barber/beauty salons is not as easy as pre-Covid. Appointments are now preferred to allow staff to maintain the required amount of people in the establishment, and yes, masks must be worn by all.

This has caused many to pivot preferring DIY services at home. Since March of 2020 we have done our nails, haircuts, some chemical services, and more (in addition to cooking, working, and learning/teaching). Feeling beautiful or looking good is still a priority in many of our lives.

Even though we have to be masked when in public and meet mostly via the web, taking the time to look and feel beautiful is important. It helps with mood and increases confidence which can increase productivity.

A bright spot since the pandemic has started is the need for less makeup since half of your face will be covered with a mask. So healthy glowing skin is ideal to let that natural beauty show. For healthy glowing skin at home:

• Drink plenty of water • Start a home skincare regimen (cleanse/moisturize and exfoliate (when necessary)) • Wear Sunscreen • Be mindful of how often your hands touch your face • Wash your re-usable mask after each use • Wash your face before and after using a mask • Eat a healthy diet

Beauty is in the Eyes!

Emphasis on your eyes is a must for those that are missing the full face beat. Eye makeup is versatile, it can go from natural to dramatic in a few strokes. Eyeshadow, eyeliner and mascara can enhance a natural look and help your eyes to "stand out" above the mask. As with a full face beat, a clean canvas is ideal.

Get plenty of rest for clear healthy eyes. If puffy, try tea bags or cucumber on the eyes as part of your daily routine. Your eyebrows crown your eyes, shaping can be done from home with tweezers or string.

Crowning Glory:

Shedding or thinning hair has also been an issue for some during the pandemic. Actress Malissa Romano posted a video on Twitter that shows the amount of hair she has been losing since her diagnosis with COVID 19. While stress and other health issues result in hair loss, it has recently been recognized as an additional after-effect of Covid. Especially among those who are considered long-haulers. Telogen Effluvium is a condition where hair stops growing after a traumatic or stressful health event.

One way to address hair loss is to first look at ways to relieve stress in your life. Focus instead on eating a healthy diet and exercising. And keep in mind that most people lose about 100 strands of hair daily. With Telogen Effluvium people lose about 300 strands of hair daily. Hair does continue to grow, even though it is a slow growth.

While some cover their hair as well as their face when going out in public, the desire for healthy hair is just as strong as the desire for healthy skin. We want to express beauty in those areas that can be seen, in our own ways.

For healthy hair: • Wash/condition/moisturize regularly according to your hair's needs (do not tug or pull if hair is shedding) • Eat healthy • Drink plenty of water • Reduce Stress

As humans, we pivot to adapt to many changing situations, Covid 19 is another situation to change up how we do things. Finding healthy ways to let our beauty shine is ideal. Emphasis on your eyes and beautiful skin are ways to look and feel beautiful while everything else is covered. And, personal care items can be addressed from home (preferably before the zoom meeting :-).

If you do go out for a service check ahead to see what the facility is doing to protect its staff and customers. Consider only getting the basic service to cut down on the amount of time spent face to face with staff, or complete some steps at home before the appointment, and always wear your mask.

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