STAY HEALTHY, STAY SANE, STAY BEAUTIFUL
Well, we’ve reached the point of quarantine in which we can count weeks since our last visit to a spa or salon. Our roots are blatantly noticeable, our gel manis have grown out into half-polished talons, and for the first time in years, we may be seeing our foreheads in their natural state. (Forget toilet paper; I’m worried about a run on Botox once this is over.) We might not be able to book our regular treatments right now, but it doesn’t mean we have to let it all fall apart, either. Below, I’ve rounded up the best beauty products to use in the comfort of your own home, because where else are you going to go?
Hair: Things are hard enough out here without us doing DIY layers. And repeat after me three times: This is not the time for bangs. Only snip split ends (one at a time) if absolutely necessary. In the meantime, keep strands smooth with a dollop of Virtue The Perfect Ending every day. As for color, a temporary color gel or root touch-up spray can keep gray at bay without commitment. dp HUE Gloss+ is another brilliant temporary fix, and it’s as easy as applying conditioner. I’ve heard good things about eSalon and Madison Reed, but I do recommend reaching out to your stylist for advice. Some salons are even offering curbside pickup on premixed color and instructions. I have been giving my hair a break from heat damage and letting it air-dry as often as possible, but if you’re really missing your regular blowouts, Davines Liquid Spell and drybar’s new Double Shot are a foolproof combination.
Hair Removal: As for unwanted hair. I recently decided to invest in the Tria Laser 4X to maintain my progress with previous professional laser hair removal sessions. If you follow suit, be sure to disclose your last at-home treatment when booking your next in-spa appointment. For shaving, Fur has the most luxurious line of products. (And we need all the pampering we can get right now.)
Botox and Filler: I’ll be brutally honest here: I know there are some topical products that claim to mimic the effects of injections, but I’ve never tried them, and based on the reviews, they don’t seem to live up to the marketing hype. I think every product and treatment has its place in a comprehensive anti-aging regimen, and because I’m definitely not recommending you pull a Patsy at home, we are going to focus on essential skincare and tools that will complement any injections. Every woman should be using a retinol past the age of 30. Full stop. Skin only truly looks youthful when cellular function is optimized, which is a daily process, not something to outsource once a month. Another must-have is an antioxidant serum to protect against free-radical damage. I love this one because it contains both Vitamins C & E and it provides the prettiest dewy glow. If you want to dial it up a notch, I just treated myself to a NuFACE Trinity and I’m already seeing a difference after just a few days. One more tip: Hyaluronic acid-based lip glosses like my favorite, Dior Lip Maximizer, help to extend lip plumping.
Facial: Who else is dying for a good neck and shoulder massage? When quarantine ends, Mayor Lightfoot will barely have the words out of her mouth and I’ll be speed-dialing my favorite facialist, Mireille. Until then, I like to indulge in a steam over a large bowl of looseleaf tea, followed by a few favorite masks. But leave extractions to the professionals!
Nails: If you have acetone polish remover, cotton balls/pads, aluminum foil, and manicure sticks, you can remove your month-old gel polish. Orly also makes a great all-in-one kit. To follow with an at-home manicure, after filing and buffing, apply a cuticle removal gel along the nail bed and gently push back cuticles with a stick; file off any excess. Essie Gel Couture is the best of both worlds: long wear with easy removal. If painting your own nails is a challenge (particularly on your non-dominant hand), The Poppy by Olive & June is a lifesaver.
Tan: Honestly, I’m not into spray tans. Instead, I use St. Tropez Gradual Tan Everyday Body Lotion every second to third day to get my color. It goes on evenly, doesn’t leave a weird scent, and I don’t have to contort myself into Egyptian hieroglyphical poses in the nude. Plus, I apply it to my hands as needed to avoid the “white gloves” effect. To give my face a faux glow, I add a few drops of Tan Luxe to my regular moisturizer.
Lashes: Another appointment I skip is lash extensions. I tried them once, and they just weren’t for me. This is the perfect time to nourish your natural lashes with an enhancing serum—you may never go back! And I promise Chantecaille’s Longest Lash Mascara is worth every cent; it delivers instant lush volume and helps to stimulate growth with a peptide formula.
That’s all I have for now, but please do drop me a line at thechicend@gmail.com or slide into my DMs on Instagram if you have any other beauty questions!
x Kate