This was the worst of times…and yet also a time of renewal as we sought to uncover the new face of beauty during and post the pandemic. If the last couple of months have taught us anything, it’s that as a community we turn to things that make us feel better when we're stressed. Like the flurry of bakers whipping up bread and cakes flooding our Insta feeds. I—as have many of my friends—turned to comfort makeup, skin, and self-care routines to find balance and pleasure in these chaotic times. Combine that with economic uncertainties and many of us hold off on discretionary spending. So, how has the Covid-19 pandemic changed our beauty regimes?
Let’s take a look at what the new face of beauty will look like, at least for the rest of 2020.
1. How We Use Our Products
Frankly, no one’s in the mood of swiping on and flaunting a full face of makeup given that the most exciting thing most of us in Quarantine have done is whip up a new recipe or chat with friends on Zoom (besides working from home that is). Besides, it seems a bit unseemly to have a glam face on (even though we do believe in the restorative powers of a chirpy lipstick), and so skincare it is. Pulling out jars of untouched skin creams and serums from the backs of dressing table drawers and lavishing our face and body to nourishing, restoring rituals has almost become palliative. And even when things do open up, we’re all likely to be masked up, so a great skincare regime that makes us look fresh, healthy and awake, topped with a light BB cream is all we’ll probably be adding to our carts for some time.
If you’re looking to stock up on nourishing, skin brightening skincare, look no further than Olay Total Effects 7 In One Anti-Ageing Day Cream Normal SPF 15, Nykaa Skin Potion 24K Gold Facial Oil and Mamaearth Skin Plump Face Serum With Hyaluronic Acid & Rosehip Oil.
2. Eyeshadow Over Lipstick
This is one of those times when the lipstick index has lost a bit of its gloss, being edged out by the rising demand for eye makeup. Since mask-wearing will likely be the new norm, these will pretty much dictate how we wear our make-up. So well defined eyebrows and pretty eye makeup are going to set us apart. It’s hardly surprising then that Google searches for ‘eye shadow looks’ have steadily skyrocketed since the start of lockdown. And, everywhere you look on Instagram, there’s a plethora of bold and beautiful experimental eye make-up looks to try.
Looking for some eye-inspiration? Look no further than Nykaa Browgirl Eyebrow Definer Pencil - Bewitched Chestnut, Maybelline New York The Blushed Nudes Eye Shadow Palette and Colorbar Just Smoky Eye Pencil.
3. Resourceful Beauty Is Here!
Think about it, until COVID hit, we were living in a time of ‘beauty perfection’ where everything had to be just so…from eyelash extensions and perfectly threaded brows to gelled nails and lavish hair treatments. All of this was suddenly taken away. So how did we respond? Enter, low maintenance beauty where you simply let nature takes its course, grew out your hair, cut your own bangs, embraced your greys, or decided to finally give yourself a mani-pedi. Not surprisingly, hitherto sleepy categories like at-home hair color, at-home hair removal, and nail care have suddenly revived. In the United States, for instance, Nielson reported a sharp rise in the sales of hair dye and hair clippers by 23 and 166 percent respectively, in the first week of April 2020 versus a year ago. Similarly, sales of at-home facial kits—no match for the tender ministrations of your facialist, but something is better than nothing right—have doubled as having at-home hair removal wax sets.
In the mood for some DIY self-care? Check out L'Oreal Paris Excellence Creme Hair Color, Himalaya Herbals Pure Skin Neem Facial Kit with Face Massager, VLCC Gold Single Facial Kit For Luminous & Radiant Complexion and Veet Full Body Waxing Kit Easy-Gelwax Technology Dry Skin - 20 Strips.
4. Nail Polish Is The New Lipstick
Since Covid-19 struck, nail product sales have soared. Many e-commerce players globally reported a 200 percent rise in nail colors and treatments even as makeup sales in general declined. It’s the perfect (and affordable) pick-me-up to feel glamorous. Plus decorating one’s tips provides a nano burst of creativity when you’re cooped up at home. In fact, many observers go so far as to say nail care could be the ‘Covid-19 Lipstick Effect’. After all, it’s hard to feel pretty flaunting a perky lipstick when the lower half of your face is covered in a mask. Want to find ways of getting creative?
Check out Sally Hansen Hard As Nails French Manicure - French White Tip Nearly Nude, Lakme Color Crush Nail Art, and The Body Care Lemon Hand & Foot Spa Mini Set.
5. Self-Care Before Anything Else
One of the biggest trends that are most likely here to stay is self-care; pampering, indulgent, ‘feel-good’ skin, hair, and bath-and-body products that range from aromatherapy oils and candles to luxury hand soaps and de-stress skin and hair elixirs to improve mood and a sense of wellbeing. After all, we all need to have a few things handy to reach for in times of chaos. In fact, even before this pandemic, the benefits of beauty had moved beyond superficial looks to focus on health and wellbeing and this demand has only grown. Sure, fancy masks and bubble baths can’t fix everything, but they can make you feel less frazzled for a few minutes and that’s just fine.
Feel like you need to unwind? Get your hands on this fine range of Nykaa Naturals Essential Oils, Veedaa Lily & Black Orchid Mason Tin Scented Candle, Aloe Veda Chocolate Vanilla Luxury Shower Gel and Ohira Ayurveda Luxury Gifting: Princess.
6. De-stress Herbal Teas
Did you that almost 20 percent of us suffer from anxiety? The numbers have probably doubled right now, and while our rational minds know many of these fears are unfounded, it’s important to have quick remedies at hand to quiet jangled nerves. And what better than a cup of soothing tea? Although herbal teas are technically different from supplements and oils, their effect can be equally calming. And their sales have skyrocketed in part because they’re they are calorie and sugar-free with myriad flavor and blend options. The current trend has shifted from a specific ingredient to a specific purpose, and calming, soothing blends have in particular gained at this time.
Feel like a calming cuppa? Take a sip of Organic India Tulsi Lax Tea (25 Tea Bag), Organic India Tulsi Sweet Rose, or Saffola FITTIFY Gourmet Superfood Moringa Green Tea - Honey Lemon.
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