With salons closed up and down the country, the nation’s roots are starting to show.
But could the solution to lockdown beauty dilemmas be closer to home than we think? Elizabeth Archer enlists boyfriend Conor to find out...
Time for a trim
Of all the things I wish I’d done before lockdown, getting a haircut is top of the list. It’s been months – and it shows.
Split ends are making my long blonde locks frizzy and unmanageable. But can I really trust my boyfriend Conor to wield the scissors?
Expert view: “When it comes to cutting hair at home, personally I wouldn’t,” says Sophia Hilton, director of Not Another Salon.
“But if you have to trim your fringe because it’s in your eyes, make sure it’s clean and blow-dried before you start.
“When you cut, keep it choppy by pointing your scissors up and snipping upwards. And if all else fails, don’t panic – your hair stylist will be able to fix it once lockdown is over. After all, you’re not getting visitors right now!”
Verdict: It’s been a long time since I was plonked on a kitchen stool so that my mum could trim my hair using her trusty orange-handled sewing scissors.
And for good reason – some of my school photographs still give me nightmares. I wash and dry my hair to give Conor the best chance of cutting in a straight line.
Luckily, my last haircut was a blunt chop, so there aren’t any layers to navigate.
The next few minutes are like a Chuckle Brothers sketch, with Conor snipping a bit off one side, then a bit off the other, while I grip my hands together so tightly I lose feeling in my fingers.
Finally, we get it fairly straight, and although it’s shorter than I wanted, it looks much healthier. Phew!
Skin saviour
It’s well-known that stress is bad for skin, and days spent inside because of the coronavirus lockdown have left my complexion – and Conor’s – looking dull and lifeless.
But with a salon facial out of the question, could we recreate it at home?
Expert view: “Before you start, make sure your hair is tied back and wash your hands in warm water using an antibacterial soap,” says Dr Najia Shaikh, founder of Harley Street’s One Skin Clinic ( oneskinclinic.co.uk ).
“Next, remove make-up using a good cleanser that suits your skin type. For a real home spa experience, spend a few minutes massaging the cleanser into your face.
One of the benefits of facial massage, besides glowing skin, is lymphatic drainage. Massage stimulates the movement of lymphatic fluid, helping to reinvigorate the immune system.
“Use your favourite exfoliator to remove dead skin cells, then apply a face mask that deeply hydrates and nourishes the skin.
“If you’re doing this during the day, make sure to apply a broad spectrum SPF of at least 30+. Alternatively, if this is a pre-bed routine, choose a hydrating cream and allow it to sink in for at least 10 minutes before you go to sleep.”
Verdict: I decide to try my new skincare skills out on Conor, who has never had a facial before.
He says: “I found it quite relaxing when my skin was being cleansed, but the exfoliator started to tingle, which was a weird sensation.
“The clay mask smelled a bit like sweets and felt strange as it tightened up. My skin gets quite dry, so the moisturiser at the end felt nice.
And afterwards, my skin felt fresh and smooth – certainly better than it did before. Perhaps I could get used to this sort of pampering.”
Fake it to make it
In a recent report, nearly half of UK women said having a tan made them feel more confident.
However, applying fake tan yourself from top to toe is a challenge – it’s definitely something I prefer to have done in a salon. But desperate times call for desperate measures.
Expert view: The key to a perfect self-tan is good preparation, according to Carly Hobbs, tanning expert at Sienna X ( sienna-x.co.uk ). “Gently exfoliate every day of the week before you apply the tan,” she says.
“This will help prep skin and speed up the results.
“Applying moisturiser before you tan will not only help the golden glow last longer, it will also ensure it doesn’t go patchy. Focus on dry areas such as your elbows, knees, toes, knuckles, hairline, and between the fingers and wrists.
“Shaving immediately before applying fake tan can create a speckled appearance as the product collects in the pores. So shave at least 12 hours before you apply.
“When applying, work the cream, lotion or mousse from top to toe using long, sweeping motions, blending as you go.
“It’s easiest if you use a product such as Sienna X Sleep Tinted Self Tan, £11.98 (superdrug.com), which contains a flattering guide colour to ensure you don’t miss an area.
“Wear loose clothing with no bra or socks while the tan develops overnight, then shower off in the morning for a golden glow.”
Verdict: I haven’t used fake tan at home since I was a student when I used to slap on so much I ended up orange rather than golden. Hoping for a better result, I exfoliate well the day before and the morning of the tan.
Conor helped me to apply moisturising tanning primer to tricky areas like my knees and elbows before buffing in the product with a velvety tanning mitt.
He was surprisingly good at applying it to hard-to-reach areas like my back, although I could tell he was nervous about getting it wrong.
Despite my reservations, I was amazed by how even my tan looked the next day – even around my wrists and ankles. And as Conor applied it, I didn’t have telltale orange palms either. All in all, a glowing success.
Nail that manicure
With all the hand washing I’ve been doing recently, my poor nails are in a sorry state.
Normally I love a brightly coloured mani to lift my mood, but since getting my favourite gel polish isn’t an option, I ask Conor to have a go.
Expert view: “When shaping nails, avoid coarse emery boards or metal files, as these can cause nails to split and peel,” advises celebrity manicurist Leighton Denny ( ld-boutique.com ). “And don’t file nails when wet .
“Make sure your nails are clean, then apply a base coat. This helps minimise streaks and peeling polish.
“Next, roll the nail polish bottle between your hands to mix it up. Wipe any excess polish off the brush – it should have just enough on it to cover one nail.
“Start from the base of the nail for a smoother finish.
To avoid getting polish on the cuticle, place the brush on the nail a few millimetres away from the cuticle, then push backwards towards it, stopping just before the skin. Then make the usual stroke down towards the tip.
“After applying two thin, even layers of colour, wait a few minutes before applying your topcoat.”
Verdict: I decide to let Conor choose the colour, which could be disastrous as he is colour-blind.
However, I quite like the pale lilac shade he selects as it’s cheerful and spring-like.
He carefully paints on the base coat, and I start to think this might not have been such a bad idea after all.
But when applying the colour, he drops huge dollops of polish on to my nails, as if plastering a wall.
The result is a thick, sticky coating which looks as if it had been applied by an enthusiastic toddler. Afterwards, we laugh about it, and I re-do my nails using the same lilac shade.
