Beauty Tips We Learned During the Pandemic That Forever Changed Our Routines

March 15, 2022

By: Caitlyn Martyn | Makeup.com by L'Oréal

When we went into lockdown roughly two years ago, life changed as we knew it — and that included our beauty habits. While we obviously had much bigger worries on our mind, the fact that salons were shut down caused many of us to make product swaps for beauty services. We learned new skills — like DIY hair dye, at-home gel manicures and so much more — to maintain some sense of normalcy. What we didn’t realize then was that we’d keep up with these new beauty rituals long after lockdown ended. Below, our editors share the valuable beauty hacks and lessons they learned during the pandemic.

Lesson: I Don’t Need to Wear Makeup Every Day to Feel Good

Pre-pandemic, I prided myself on coming up with creative makeup looks almost every single day, whether I was going to work, school or even just running errands solo. I thought that in order to look and feel like the best version of myself, I needed to wear a full face of makeup with foundation, eyeshadow and all. Once the pandemic started and I transitioned to working from home full-time, my motivation to wear makeup almost completely disappeared. I ventured out for walks bare-faced (albeit masked) every day, only applying makeup when social distancing rules started to ease up and I felt comfortable seeing my friends again. But the pressure to look polished all the time has faded for me. Now I look at makeup as a way to have fun and experiment with my look, rather than a necessary component to looking professional or pretty. Sometimes, lip balm and a moisturizer with SPF (CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion with Sunscreen is my current go-to) is all I need to feel ready for the day.

— Ariel, Associate Editor

Lesson: Scalp Care Is Key to Healthy Hair

I’d always heard that proper hair care starts at the scalp but never really had the time (or patience, if I’m being honest) to learn about scalp care and put effort into a scalp care routine. Over the past two years, I’ve had a lot more time on my hands and decided that if I was going to achieve the hair of my dreams, I needed to start at the root of the problem — literally. I invested in a good scalp scrub, like the Kiehl’s Amino Acid Scalp Scrub Detox Treatment, and a scalp care kit (the Briogeo Scalp Revival Kit is my favorite because it comes with a scalp massager and a scalp mask). After taking that extra time to give my scalp a little TLC every week, my hair is the healthiest it’s ever been, and I don’t think I can ever go back to my old routine.

— Caitlyn, Assistant Editor

Lesson: Self-Tanning Is 100% a Self-Care Ritual

Pre-pandemic, getting a spray tan every so often was a guilty beauty pleasure of mine. During the pandemic, I realized that self-tanning at home is a better option for me. For my face, I mix a few drops of the L’Oréal Paris Sublime Drops Self-Tan Drops into my moisturizer every morning, and for my body, I love the Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Water. Both products are super easy to use (thank you applicator mitt and moisturizer) and hassle-free. I love that I no longer have to worry about booking spray tans, no matter the occasion.

— Alanna, Assistant Managing Editor

Hack: The Right Tools Can Replace a Salon Pedicure

During the peak of the pandemic, I learned how to give myself at-home pedicures using the Olive & June Pedi System, and, honestly, I haven’t gotten a salon pedicure since. Even when salons opened back up, I didn’t see a need to book a pedi because it’s so easy to do right at home. Using this game-changing pedi kit became something I look forward to and has actually stayed a part of my Sunday self-care routine to this day.

— Jazmine, Senior Editor

Hack: Blush Makes Me Look and Feel More Lively on Camera

After many years of neglecting blush all together, I started applying just a hint of color to my cheeks about four or five years ago. But when lockdown happened and I wanted to look more lively on camera for meetings, I quickly learned that a vibrant pop of blush made all the difference. I fell madly in love with the Patrick Ta Major Headlines Double-Take Creme and Powder Blush Duos when the brand initially launched it in four shades. Recently, I got my hands on some of the new colors, which are even more perfect for livening up my complexion. Take She’s a Doll, for example. It’s a babydoll pink with a punch that looks gorgeous on camera without making me coming across too overdone.

— Alyssa, Assistant Editor