Things we have learnt in lockdown, S & B related.

[SpongeBobJudgeyPants]

I'll go first! My dry, coloured, collar length hair is better if I wash it once a week, rather than more, and largely leave it to dry without making it dryer with my hairdryer. I can get away with longer with my roots, by using a Josh Wood root temporary touch up on them (even if I have to get DH to do the crown at the back). There's bound to be other stuff...

I've learnt that I only need to do my brows and mascara to look ok on a conference call, and there's a filter on Zoom!

That only two things really matter to me - having a soak in the bath every day, and a bit of face oil morning and night.

Often just use mascara and a small amount of liner. It's quicker. And that's if I'm going to be seen in public. Otherwise I often don't bother! 😁

I’ve learned that sports leggings are very comfy all day long and that I don’t need to pay someone £15 a month to tint my brows when I can do exactly the time job for about £2.

I don't need foundation or powder. Eyeliner, lip liner, mascara and lipstick are all I need

I've discovered that vaseline rosy looks lovely used as a cream blusher. Admittedly it doesn't last for hours on end, but I find the same of normal blusher. Natural, pretty and with a little bit of sheen.

My hair is better when I don’t blow dry it.
My skin is completely clear when I don’t wear make up everyday.
I love wide legged trousers which is massive for me - I haven’t worn trousers bar PJs for years.

How skin has improved about 1000% since I made a conscious effort to stop touching my face all the time. My skincare routine hasn’t changed at all apart from that. All that money spent on expensive skincare and all I needed to do was to leave it alone!

That the 11 hand creams (30ml each) that I had for Christmas were actually amazing presents! I thought they’d last me more than a year but I think I will have used them all up by the end of summer.

How much I’ve saved by not wearing make up and not having to remove it. I’m not just talking about the make up itself, but also primer, micellar water and cotton pads and only cleansing once and not twice.

I haven’t straightened my hair for a month and I’m hoping that it will thank me for it. Not seeing any improvement in its condition as yet though.

I’m saving loads on dry cleaning for me and DH and am washing fewer loads. I’m living in lounge wear instead of work clothes, no uniform for the children (just joggers and long sleeve tops) and no suits and work shirts for DH.

My hair is much better condition. I had my last colour January and I'm now only washing it every other day and leaving it to air dry.

I look ok if I brush my brows, curl my eyelashes and apply a tiny amount of concealer under my eyes.

How much I miss wearing nice clothes! Making an effort when kids are in school (key worker) but when they are at home and we’re trying to work and wrangle kids I do need to wear something a bit more suitable.

I’m also going through all my random tubes of cream at the bottom of the bathroom drawers - I have learnt that you can’t beat Aveeno, and Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream is the danglies for dry hands, applied last thing at night.

That deodorant makes bigger all difference. I have suspected this for a while but never dared act on it.

That I get enjoyment from wearing nice clothes even if no-one can see me, but not from make up.

That I cannot understand all the fuss about loungewear.

That I am pathetically reliant on my nail appointments

Oooh where have you found wide leg trousers Trebolla? Really struggling to find good ones at the moment.

That putting on some make up and nice clothes makes a surprising difference to my mental health. I'm very low maintenance and rarely dress up or wear make up so didn't expect to feel this way.

Yes, I’m only washing my hair once a week and it’s fine! Haven’t use straighteners and it’s definitely in better condition.

I've learned that eating dairy really does make my rosacea flare up and I really should cut it out again.

I've learned that the 10 or so moisturisers that i found out in week one are still not being used regularly. I need to tell people not to get them for me for Christmas any more because I don't use them!

I’ve invested in a uv nail lamp for me and dds, we love it and I need never pay again
I have a lot of lovely products from various boxes and gifts that I’m trying out
I don’t need to wear much makeup, but when I do I should really enjoy it
My decision about whether or not to go grey for 50 (August) has been made for me

My hair loves being washed only once a week, makeup is the devils work for breakouts and I’m a lot more grey than I thought. I have a silver halo right now

Oh and eating freshly baked bread every day is lovely but not at all good for me

I haven't straighted or blow waved my hair since lockdown.
I haven't worn heels since lock down and my feet feel better.
My nails look fine without a professional manicure but I do need to keep moisturizing them.
I have found a use for all those bottles of body lotion I have been bought over the years.

That what makes me feel happier about my appearance is a clean, exfoliated and moisturised body and face, rather than what I'm wearing and whether or not I've remembered mascara. That I always feel better if I use a wide barrel curling iron for waves and then leave my hair down, instead of shoving it in a bun. And that when your only outings are a daily walk with a buggy or a trip to the supermarket in a mask, it absolutely does not matter if you're wearing gym leggings and trainers because you're basically invisible...

That a £5 toner does the same job as an £80 trip to the hair dressers.

That my skin is a lot better when I don’t touch my face or wear makeup.

That I really miss getting dressed up for work.

That I have an unhinged amount of clothes now they are all washed and ironed and hung up.

That 2 litres of water a day makes me wee a lot but is ultimately very good for me.