Well, it’s fair to say Halloween ended up much spookier than we imagined. It was announced that England would be entering a second national lockdown and, yep, salons will have to close again *wipes away tears*. We’re pretty sad about it; we’re worried for our salon partners and for everyone’s mental wellbeing and – even though it’s not the most important thing – we’re already having flashbacks to our Lockdown 1 roots. If you’re lucky enough to have nabbed an appointment before salons shut on Thursday, these are our picks for lockdown-proofing your hair and beauty.
By Beth Ludolf
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1 The haircut: Get a blunt cut
Trust us, a blunt cut is the one. It gives the illusion of thicker hair, and not just when it’s salon-fresh, either. Blunt cut hairstyles can go longer between cuts without getting all straggly on the ends. Cutting the hair straight across preserves the strand’s integrity, too. That means it’s less prone to breakage, by the way.
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2 The manicure: Go for a negative space design
Bare nails not an option for you? (Shout out to the people who get a gel mani so they don’t bite their nails). A negative space design is the best bet for your pre-lockdown appointment because the regrowth looks like a part of the design. Genius. We’re getting a french mani with autumnally-toned tips.
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3 The brows: Book a shape and tint
Even if you don’t normally get a brow tint, it’s the perfect lockdown insurance policy. Getting them professionally shaped gives you a good guide to follow when you’re maintaining them at home and the tint makes it super easy to follow. If you need a helping hand on DIYing your brows, Shavata’s tips are the one.
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4 The facial: Invest in a Hydrafacial
As if lockdown couldn’t get more depressing, this one is in winter. That means dark nights (if you can call five p.m. ‘night’), cold days and hefty central heating bills. Combined with the stress of it all our skin is probably going to be suffering. A hydrafacial will help restore some much-needed moisture.
FAQs
What type of haircut helps your hair last longer between salon visits?
A blunt cut is ideal if you want your hair to go longer between trims. This style keeps ends looking healthy and helps prevent breakage, so your hair stays thicker and neater as it grows out.
Which manicure design is best if you want to hide nail regrowth?
A negative space design works best to disguise nail regrowth. As your nails grow, the regrowth appears as part of the design, making it a practical choice if you can’t visit the salon for a while.
Why should you get a brow shape and tint before lockdown?
A brow shape and tint makes your eyebrows easier to maintain at home during lockdown. Shaping offers a helpful outline for at-home grooming, and tinting provides clear definition so you can follow their shape more easily.
How can you keep your skin hydrated during colder lockdown months?
A Hydrafacial treatment helps restore moisture to your skin. This is especially important during winter, when dark nights, cold days, and central heating can dry out your skin and cause discomfort.
What should you do if you tend to bite your nails before lockdown?
Consider booking a gel manicure to help prevent nail biting. A gel mani creates a durable layer that protects your nails, making it less likely you’ll bite or damage them when salons are closed.