What style and beauty tricks did you discover during lockdown?

[paperribbon]

I couldn't get out to buy new stuff and money was tight so I decided to use up what I had in the bathroom cupboards.
I found that shower gel washes my hair and makes it softer than shampoo. Sticking with this.
And that hand and body lotion removes mascara.
What did you discover?

How do you do the zoom filter ?

My face is alright without makeup.

Sunhats are essential.

I grew my eyebrows back so they need less filling in.

I realised all eye shadow, no matter what formula or how it is applied, disappears on me in two hours tops, so not to bother. If I can’t maintain it whilst at home all day with endless access to mirrors and extra eyeshadow, I’m never going to maintain it.

I bought a cuticle kit to do own manicures. I don’t have great nails but have terrible dry cuticles which I used to pick and rip. I don’t know why I didn’t twig to use the same equipment as the professionals before.

I learnt, after watching a million YouTube videos, not to be sucked in by the latest recommended product. It’s alright for influencers able to try everything. And actually many products are really good and do the same thing, so you don’t need them all.

I started with Dermatica and it’s stopped my acne dead in its tracks, after 25 years I finally have clear skin. It’s made me realise my diet never had anything to do with it.

I'm the opposite re:hair. I cut it 6 inches off it myself during lockdown and it came out quite well....but I went to a salon to get it shaped and she basically gave me the choppy wavy trendy bob of dreams. Am never going to anyone else ever again! I've had more compliments on my hair in the last two months than in the 20 years before with long hair.

I've also discovered that if you have a Bob, all you have to do is spritz Batiste Heavenly Volume in at night and you wake up with gloriously bouncy hair all day.

Because I wear a mask all day at work, I've had to ditch foundation and just use concealer. I've rediscovered the Laura Mercier brightening powder for under the eyes. If all anyone is going to see of me is my eyes, I don't want to look tired! It does make a massive difference. Though will probably buy the cheap ELF version going forward Because there's zero difference.

Sadly I think the filter is default “on” so no further improvements can be had for me but work a check in settings and I think it’s called make me look better !

I've discovered shopping out of my own wardrobe rather than popping across to H&M just because I could.

I do not need to spend £100s on a handbag if I find a great alternative.

That if I want to retire at the end of next year I don't need the corporate wardrobe and can save money.

I've discovered that a grey smudge of eyeliner looks much better on me than thick black (one day whilst having a clear-out, I experimented with an old make-up kit I'd received as a gift last Christmas)
I look fresher and younger.
I also discovered whilst sorting my wardrobe that I AM one of THOSE women who rock a blazer with jeans ( I think)

@polkadotpjs thank you - hopefully my filter isn’t already on !

It's a fitness thing but might as well be style and beauty because it has caused me to look better. A longer run plus a walk in the afternoon or evening has increased my fitness, muscle tone and caused me to lose body fat. I started with just a long run because going out too often was frowned upon. Added the walk in later, too late it seems because even after previously being a walker I really felt it in my muscles to start with,

Black eyeliner can look pretty harsh unless your a) black b) young c) a goth.

Once you hit 40 it is terrible

I switched to olay and superdrug own brand skin care and it's loads better than the more expensive stuff I was using.

Also had 20 weeks of therapy (that I'd waited two years for), found a backbone, cut off my narcissistic family and started house training my lazy husband. Took up hobbies for myself and stopped putting up with everyone's bollocks. So that was good too.

Hollywood Browzer thingy to dermaplane my face
Tinted sunscreen has replaced foundation, but that might not be enough as winter approaches and I get paler
Bar soap and shampoo bars have replaced plastic bottles of shampoo and gel so less need for shopping and recycling

I discovered that I only need to wash my hair every 4 days and shave my legs every couple of weeks
Also discovered that I can work out in pretty much anything (inside) so long as I have a sports bra on - so now have a use for my summer pjs.
Perhaps style and beauty is the wrong place for me

Coconut oil...my post acrylic nails, with coconut oil rubbed in have grown back very easily, strong and shiny. And again lightly rubbed on my eyelashes they are long and strong too and with my dark hair I don't need mascara.
Though there is a possibility that eating so much more fruit, salad, fish and chicken has helped.

My Lumea has been amazing. Hardly needing to shave anywhere at all is so freeing.

Hollywood bronzer

Sorry the last post was a typo 😬

And intermittent fasting...hadn't realised that's what we were doing...waiting to eat a healthy breakfast at lunchtime. DP has lost nearly 3 stone...me a stone.

Always used Micellar water to cleanse my face and my skin was so blotchy and red!

Used a flannel and a bar of Dove soap one day and haven't looked back since. I now don't wear foundation either as I feel so confident about my skin :)