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THE EXPERTS: QUARANTINE BEAUTY TALK

Published May 27, 2020
Published May 27, 2020

It has been two months since we all began quarantining ourselves from the outside world. Which, of course, has meant kissing goodbye to our beloved hairdressers, estheticians, nail techs, makeup artists, waxers, threaders, pluckers, injectors, and everyone else who keeps us looking and feeling our best. With our botox fading, our roots growing in, our nails recovering from years of gel suffocation, and our lashes left extensionless, we’ve been forced to get reacquainted with our no-frills selves—our “natural beauties.”

As a makeup artist, I’ve been curious to know how my industry peers’ daily routines have changed. Are they practicing their craft while sheltering in place? Am I the only one whose kit has hardly seen the light of day? I emailed a few beauty titans to find out how quarantine has changed their personal regimen. I also wanted to hear their predictions about the future of grooming, once we’re on the other side of this minimalistic reality we’ve all been forced to adopt (and even embrace).

What is one part of your routine that you’ve been missing the most during quarantine?

It’s a toss-up between my hairdresser and my manicurist/pedicurist. Miss both!

How have your grooming and beauty routines changed these days?

I am not consistent at all in putting on makeup, or even combing my hair. I do wash my hair every other day, and I’m experimenting with different formulas for the ultimate air dry. The biggest change is that I film videos or interviews without my hairdresser, and sometimes it isn’t pretty.

What products have been your go-to during quarantine? Old favorites and/or new finds?

I love Augustinus Bader’s skin cream and apricot kernel oil, which I’ve fallen in love with this year. I’m experimenting with hair products and would love to find a cologne that smells like soap.

What have you stopped doing altogether during quarantine?

Wearing jeans or blazers. Oh, and real shoes.

Has quarantine changed the way you think about grooming/beauty?

Absolutely. I want to keep air drying my hair as much as possible. In general, I’m pretty low maintenance. I’ll figure out an even better balance going forward.

How do you think your personal quarantine experience will affect your professional work in the future?

The team behind my beauty ingestibles line, EVOLUTION_18, will continue to keep an ear to the current climate and grow in our direct-to-consumer business. But I’m also inspired by how seamlessly we’ve been able to adapt to working remotely and catching up on Zoom. It shows just how flexible we can be moving forward.

Monika Blunder: Celebrity Makeup Artist with The Wall Group

What is one part of your routine that you’ve been missing the most during quarantine?

I miss my yoga class! I used to get up early and take care of my kids and send them off to school. Once they were on their way, I’d have some time to myself so I’d go to a yoga class. I miss the consistency, and I miss the early mornings. I’ve been getting up later since quarantine.

How have your grooming and beauty routines changed these days?

I actually love that I don’t have to wear as much makeup at the moment. I’ve really only been wearing makeup on days I create content for my YouTube channel. It’s really giving my skin a chance to breathe and I’ve been doing a lot of skincare and masks. I’ve also been working out at home, which I surprisingly love. I didn’t realize how much time I was spending getting to and from the gym, and I’ve felt more motivated to work out daily at home since there’s no commute.

What products have been your go-to during quarantine? Old favorites and/or new finds?

I have been spending a lot of time pampering my skin and trying out new skincare. I have found a new brand called Biossance that I really love. One of my go-to new favorite products is the Wrinkle Smoothing Serum Supreme by Clé de Peau. It feels like I’m wearing Spanx on my face! And of course my new favorite mascara by ABLE Cosmetics, it’s so good.

What have you stopped doing altogether during quarantine?

My nails! I kind of gave up on them. Especially my toes, I just can’t do it. I feel like they are also getting a break and it might be good for my nails to go au naturel for a while. I also haven’t been able to get my roots done, which I really miss! I miss having someone else style and color my hair.

Has quarantine changed the way you think about grooming/beauty?

It definitely helped me realize that I can go a little longer between grooming appointments, and that’s okay. I don’t have to have everything scheduled exactly and it’s okay to take a break here and there. I will also be more excited to put on makeup for an event or to go out now; makeup feels like a special-occasion thing again.

How do you think your personal quarantine experience will affect your professional work in the future?

I won’t take my work for granted—ever. I will be very aware and grateful for the human connection my job gives me. I do think things in my industry will slow down for a bit, but I think that’s okay. People will always have a need for personal grooming services, but I think this will have people thinking about their beauty and grooming regimens more intentionally. This quarantine has given me time to focus on my YouTube channel and connect with my community there, and I am working on my own line of products! So I have been keeping busy and have a lot of exciting work ahead of me.

Matin Maulawizada: Celebrity Makeup Artist, Nontoxic Beauty and Human Rights Activist with Tracey Mattingly

What is one part of your routine that you’ve been missing the most during quarantine?

Not being able to go to my facialist Homayra at NYPRO Spa. She has been taking care of my skin for years. No one does skin like her.

How have your grooming and beauty routines changed these days?

I have time for daily baths and masks.

What products have been your go-to during quarantine? Old favorites and/or new finds?

Susanne Kaufmann’s Oil Bath for the Senses (old fave) and African Botanics’ Kalahari Desert Detox Bath (new friend).

What have you stopped doing altogether during quarantine?

I stopped eating junk food and have been fasting and now observing Ramadan. Food coma can put me in a downward spiral into full-on depression.

Has quarantine changed the way you think about grooming/beauty?

It’s amazing how nurturing baths can be. I usually don’t have the luxury during the week but have grown really fond of them.

How do you think your personal quarantine experience will affect your professional work in the future?

I can’t think of it changing in any way, except that I will appreciate human contact more and will enjoy the company of my friends and colleagues even more.

Jamie Greenberg: Celebrity Makeup Artist with The Wall Group

What is one part of your routine that you’ve been missing the most during quarantine?

I get my hair (grays) touched up on the regular and a mani/pedi every other week! It’s been a bummer but I’ve tried so many new products for my nails. I’m not going to lie, my toes are growing out my gels still and look insane. But my hands have tried a plethora of nail products. Right now, I’m loving ManiMe! And my colorist, Amanda George at Roil salon, has been selling root touch-up kits, which is awesome!

How have your grooming and beauty routines changed these days?

I would say it’s gotten more detailed. I am home now so I have time and I’m creating content, so I actually continue to do my hair and makeup almost every day! I noticed in the beginning, on the days I didn’t get myself together, I would be blue and cry more. Now I have it down to a science.

What products have been your go-to during quarantine? Old favorites and/or new finds?

Bright Eyes by Goldfaden MD, Chuda Healing Cream, Furtuna Eye and Face Serum, Shani Darden Retinol Reform, iS Clinical Cleansing Complex, Pixi Vitamin-C Tonic, Farmacy Daily Greens Oil-Free Gel Moisturizer, brightening masks from Eve Lom, bliss That’s Incredi-peel Glycolic Acid Pads. You could say I’ve been focusing on skin a lot!!!!!!

What have you stopped doing altogether during quarantine?

My pedicure! Shaving for a minute but now I’m back 🙂

Has quarantine changed the way you think about grooming/beauty?

It’s actually made me hyper-focused on what I’m using and what works. I’ve been like a scientist testing new stuff!

How do you think your personal quarantine experience will affect your professional work in the future?

It’s definitely changed my professional work! I haven’t worked since the beginning of March, so the wheels started turning. I still have my Swag Bag, which is going really well and I love to be able to share it with real beauty enthusiasts. I also started doing one on ones with women who want to clean out their makeup, learn new looks, chat all things beauty, etc. And lastly I also started JamieMakeup University. We had our first class, which sold out right away! We are able to get sponsored by brands for a certain look I want to teach. So I send them almost everything I’ll be using so they have the same tools and products. Being able to connect with my audience has been so rewarding for me during quarantine. I will continue to do this even when things go back to normal because I love to talk to my people and make them smile.

Teddi Cranford: Celebrity Hair Stylist and Founder / Creative Director at White Rose Collective

What is one part of your routine that you’ve been missing the most during quarantine?

SoulCycle! It’s a quick easy workout that’s hyper-stimulating and I miss that release so much.

How have your grooming and beauty routines changed these days?

I definitely have a more mindful approach, focusing more on what I’m using on my hair and skin. There’s no rush these days, and I feel silly if I have too much makeup on—if any.

What products have been your go-to during quarantine? Old favorites and/or new finds?

I love the Warming Honey Cleanser from iS Clinical, Cecilia Wong Moisturizer, Dr. Alkaitis Organic Ageless Face Elixir, and Eve Lom Sunscreen. This seems to keep my face hydrated and clear. It’s what I’ve been using all quarantine.

What have you stopped doing altogether during quarantine?

Currently, I’ve stopped heat-styling my hair and I’ve also not been putting on makeup. I’m a hairstylist, so having my hair cut and makeup done is a huge part of my routine. It’s taken a while, but I had to start leaning into the health of my hair and skin and truly take this time to reset.

Has quarantine changed the way you think about grooming/beauty?

I already have a “less is more” approach to beauty and tbh, I think I’ll continue on that path:)

How do you think your personal quarantine experience will affect your professional work in the future?

At White Rose, we are very adamant about a clean work environment and truly connecting with our clients, but we will step it up even more. I’ll be taking clients privately for a while and will be operating my salon out of two spaces to ensure the safety of everyone.

Laura Polko: Celebrity Hair Stylist with The Wall Group

What is one part of your routine that you’ve been missing the most during quarantine?

Honestly, I miss workout classes to keep me motivated and clear my headspace.

How have your grooming and beauty routines changed these days?

I’ve been doing my hair so much lately for content and oom calls. It’s been fun trying new looks and products, but it’s key that I use a mask and great leave-ins to protect and rebuild my hair

What products have been your go-to during quarantine? Old favorites and/or new finds?

Sunbum’s Leave-In and Blonde Tone Enhancer, Noughty’s Moisture Mask, NatureLab Tokyo’s Repair Leave-In Treatment, and Alterna’s Air Dry Cream.

What have you stopped doing altogether during quarantine?

I’ve stopped getting in my head about work. I’m just letting everything be and enjoying the time.

Has quarantine changed the way you think about grooming/beauty?

It has made me more experimental and creative with looks, especially for myself.

How do you think your personal quarantine experience will affect your professional work in the future?

I’ve gotten familiar with so many new products that I’m loving, so I’ll be using those, redoing my kit and spending time getting inspired rather than just showing up every day on autopilot!

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