by BR Kellie
As I write this it's day three of Level 4 lockdown. My kitchen is spick and span. The washing is up to date. And I haven't brushed my hair in three days, let alone put on a speck of makeup.
My beauty standards haven't so much slipped as gone awol.
What's interesting to me about this is that last year in Level 4 I put on makeup religiously. Didn't miss a day. My friend and I would zoom and the colour on my lids was often a brief point of discussion. I used Level 4 as a reason to try colours I wouldn't. I got creative. Had fun with it. My hair was washed, brushed, straightened. My skin was cleansed, toned, serumed, moisturised, masked once or twice or week. My beauty standards were as sky high as ever.
This time? It's a big old 'meh' from me.
Which is crazy, right? Because if anything now's the time to invest in ourselves. To take that extra moment for a full body moisturise, rather than a half-hearted slap it on the ankles and shins because that's the bit that people might catch a glimpse of as I slub around the neighbourhood on my daily meander. Now's the time to sit back with a mask on and listen to an audiobook. To be pulling out the fire engine red lipstick, slicking it on and vacuuming the house for the seven billionth time while feeling a million dollars.
But no. Not this lockdown.
I asked the BRHQ gals how their lockdown looks were going, and it turns out we're all pretty much in the same boat. Usually a primed and preened lot, they've abandoned their makeup brushes and setting sprays in favour of cleaning brushes and disinfectant sprays. They've downed their hair tools and picked up actual tools. DIY beauty has become actual DIY. Greasy hair is in, bras are being abandoned. The only semblance of beauty self-care they're embracing is skincare - they're masking up both in and out of the house.
2020's Level 4 lockdown was all about creating a semblance of normality in a crazy time.
2021's? It seems we've embraced our new normal.
Which brings us to this week's poll...
Has our latest lockdown seen your beauty standards slip? Have you broken up with your makeup? Or are you rocking a full face? Is skincare your new self-care or have you gone back to basics?
Get chatting below!
Yes and no. I've been enjoying living in my PJs but also online shopping for more beauty stuff!