After exuberance following the initial vaccine rollout in the United States, the perilous state of the pandemic in the country today—a Delta-fueled fourth wave has daily coronavirus cases exploding to surpass last summer’s peak average of daily cases—is leading to a patchwork of responses from governments and businesses, some of which are enacting precautionary measures such as indoor masking and office opening delays while others are moving ahead with plans to return to a semblance of normalcy. Amid the uncertainty, we asked eight consumers of various ages with jobs across different industries about how the pandemic has changed their beauty routines—and the changes they will keep going forward. What’s clear is that the pandemic sparked increased attention to skincare that doesn’t appear to fading. The persistent interest in skincare is demonstrated by market research firm The NPD Group’s recent second quarter prestige beauty sales figures showing a 32% hike in skincare sales. What’s less clear is the effects on makeup. NPD’s numbers reveal a dramatic 71% rise in makeup sales during the second quarter, but the consumers we talked to aren’t generally returning to the full faces of makeup they wore pre-pandemic. Their beauty rundowns below indicate they’re pretty happy with their pandemic transitions to pared-down, health-driven product arsenals. 
Adjoa B. Asamoah Adjoa B. Asamoah
Age: 45
Occupation: Political Advisor and CROWN Act Social Impact Strategist
Working at the intersection of policy and politics scores pretty low on the glamorous life scale. Protesting, meeting with leaders about the CROWN Act, working on the Biden-Harris presidential campaign and inauguration, serving as faculty for the Congressional Black Caucus Institute, and striving tirelessly to advance racial equity across spaces doesn’t leave much time to ensure your brows are perfectly shaped, but, pre-pandemic, I certainly made the effort to pull it together.
As part of my self-care routine, I was and still am a fan of an aromatherapy shower. Eucalyptus makes all the difference in the world. Aveeno Ultra-Calming Foaming Cleanser is my go-to face wash, but I’m indifferent where body wash is concerned. Cocoa and shea butter do the trick on the moisturizing front, and a mattifying primer, quick light coat of Studio Fix Powder and a little bit of mascara go a long way. I wore lipstick infrequently yet more often before the pandemic, but rocking a mask consistently resulted in me just opting for a dab of Vaseline instead.
As we move toward safe in-person meetings, I’m slowly returning to lip gloss, and even revisiting eyeshadow every now and again. With a spritz of perfume, I’m ready for the day!
Taylor Jannotte Taylor Jannotte
Age: 29
Occupation: Social Media Manager
I’ve never been the kind of person to have a 10-step beauty or skin routine. So, during the pandemic, I didn’t mind hiding behind a computer screen with natural light that made me look like I had a filter on every day! I do think it put things into perspective for me regarding skin health and hygiene.
To be honest, I’ve had the best skin I’ve ever had this past year! And, coming from someone who struggled with acne in her teens and early twenties, that’s a big statement. I’m sure my skin success is a testament to being mindful of not touching my face for COVID reasons, not walking through hot sewer steam on 7th Avenue every morning or having my face smushed into someone’s backpack on the subway every day.
When making the transition back to work, I was excited, but also apprehensive because we all know maskne is a real thing. I vowed to myself that I would keep up my COVID routines and be conscious of my skin hygiene especially after being in crowded spaces.
Overall, I am so grateful for the way this pandemic has changed my beauty/skin routines. I am more cognizant about skin health, which affects my beauty routine naturally. I’m fully aware now that keeping my face clean and healthy is the best routine I could have.
Penny Giolli Penny Giolli
Age: 59
Occupation: Realtor
As an independent contractor, I control my own work schedule. Work hours will depend on when I am needed by my clients regardless as to whether it is a weekday or a weekend. My beauty routine has pretty much stayed consistent even during the pandemic. I try to get at least seven to eight hours of sleep and try to be vigilant with my water intake.
In terms of my skincare beauty routine, I have always made skincare a priority since I was in my 20s. People often get surprised when I tell them my age. When asked what I do to look much younger than my age, I always say, “I never go to bed with makeup on.”
Since I am often face-to-face with clients, I am very particular about how I look, especially how my skin looks. My routine is simple. After morning exercise, I wash, tone, apply my vitamin C serum, moisturize and put sunscreen on my face.
I like using products that contain natural ingredients. As soon as I get home from work or once I finish my Zoom calls for the day when working at home like during the pandemic, I immediately remove my makeup using virgin coconut oil from the Philippines, where I am from and stock up on whenever I am home to visit.
I follow this with double cleansing, toner, hyaluronic acid serum and night crème. I use retin-A once a week and exfoliate every other day. I look forward to my beauty routine at night. I call it my “me time.” I like to light a few candles in my bathroom, then I dry brush my whole body before I jump in the shower. I like to end every shower with cold water to close the pores of the skin. I also apply hydrating lotion all over my whole body right after a bath or a shower to help replenish the moisture.
Ashleigh Mullady Ashleigh Mullady
Age: 29
Occupation: Public Relations Account Supervisor
I’m a beauty girl through and through. So, when the pandemic hit, it was definitely a huge adjustment going from full hair and makeup to a messy top knot and no makeup. When trips to the office were still a daily regularity, I would often wear at least three shades of shadow, primer, a light coverage tinted moisturizer, full coverage concealer, two brow products, bronzer for days, blush, highlighter and two coats of mascara, at minimum. I’d then lock it all in with a spritz of setting spray.
Hair was always super important to me. So, after blowing out, I’d straighten to remove any bumps and, then, follow by curling with a wand, a process that was accompanied with three different hair products at least.
When all of that was physically and metaphorically washed away, it was a jarring adjustment to get used to seeing my makeup-less face in the mirror day in and day out. I was pleasantly surprised to adjust to seeing my bare-skinned self over the coming weeks and months of pandemic life. That process can best be summed up by exposure therapy meets facial self-tanner—a girl still had to glow! Hot tools also became a thing of the past, and I quickly learned I could achieve great hair without the heat.
During peak COVID when Zooms became the new in-person, it took me a little while to figure out how to best adjust my new makeup routine. With a heightened focus on skincare, I soon eliminated the eyeshadow, set any tinted moisturizer to the side, swapped my creamy concealer for a light coverage one—something I never thought I’d do—and stepped into a new routine of conceal, brush brows, bronze and highlight. My 30-minute makeup routine soon became five, and it actually felt really good to see this enhanced version of myself without a ton of time and product spent.
Interestingly, outside of moisturizer, I didn’t have a morning skincare routine before COVID, which was definitely the biggest change I made during the pandemic, and a process I’m deeply dedicated to today. Working in beauty, I’ve never had a shortage of products, so I learned to rely on a few solution-oriented items with hero ingredients—niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, retinol—to improve my skin.
In all, my biggest takeaway is that less is, in fact, more. Not to say I won’t be happy to reach for miss Naked Palette for my next in-person or date night, but I’m proud to have landed on a routine that enhances my natural beauty instead of covering it up. It’s definitely one that I’ll be sticking to for the foreseeable future!
Roxanne Henry Roxanne Henry
Age: 39
Occupation: Legal Administrator
If I could turn back the clock and tell my twentysomething-year-old self anything, it would be, “Start a skincare routine now!” At the start of the pandemic, like millions of people everywhere, I had a little extra time on my hands. I already had my daily serum and moisturizer, but hardly took the time to do an actual routine.
So, I wrote a mini weekly schedule. Gallon of water every day (hydration is key to good skin); collagen daily (helped with my skin elasticity); Monday face mask; Tuesday pore mask, etc. Adding these little tweaks on top of basically eliminating makeup made my skin visibly smoother and clearer.
Another change was adding Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen. I never realized the importance of daily SPF. Because of these quick adds, I was confident going live on my Zoom meetings looking refreshed and feeling like a million bucks!
Now that life is somewhat back to normal, I feel like I will continue my daily routine that’s over a year old now, wear my daily SPF, reduce skin makeup—I quite honestly don’t feel the need for it—and just continue to slay my improved glowing skin.
For 39 and zero enhancements, I feel like my skin is better than ever. The pandemic was hard—is hard—but I took away so many good habits that benefitted my overall health.
Jennifer Clark Jennifer Clark
Age: 30
Occupation: Enterprise Account Executive
My beauty and skincare routine has undergone a drastic change over the course of lockdown and in adjusting to working from home. Some aspects have become much more minimalist. I went from wearing a full face of makeup to sparingly using concealer and mascara for Zoom calls.
On the flip side, my skincare regime has gone from zero to 60. Working from home afforded me the chance to strip back the amount of makeup I wear on a daily basis, but it also means that my bare skin is completely exposed. I’ve really enjoyed learning more about proper skincare and have seen firsthand how products like retinol and niacinamide can improve skin clarity and overall appearance.
Now that I’m returning to the office, I feel much more confident maintaining a more bare-faced makeup routine because my skin is that much healthier and clearer.
Sue Penn Sue Penn
Age: 57
Occupation: Director of Membership and Concierge Services
Before COVID, my skincare routine had become boring, and I generally cleansed, moisturized, and wore the least amount of makeup I could get away with. I focused on buying products that were convenient and paid no attention to what I was putting on my face. My one indulgence, however, was monthly mini facials.
During COVID, I worked from home and would throw on a shirt for Zoom meetings. If I could pull off not wearing makeup by hiding behind glasses, I did. I was definitely the pajama pants or leggings waist down person.
I am delighted to say that I was part of the COVID workforce transformation and, finally, after a very long tenure at work, quit my job and looked for something new. Post-COVID, I changed careers and, along with my new job, I updated my skincare routine to include all-natural products [with] no parabens while dressing up for work and wearing makeup again.
I mainly use Origins skincare products and Beautycounter makeup. I do love IT Cosmetics and the whole idea behind the company and try to use as many of their products as I can. In the morning, after I dress and put on my makeup for work, I feel happy and motivated to start my day and be successful at work.
Golnar Golnar
Age: 31
Occupation: Real Estate Agent
I continued working during the pandemic. Real estate was considered essential, so my clients and I were still looking at homes, just with masks, gloves and shoe covers on. A big aspect of my job is “appearing presentable” and, to be honest, that’s never been my forte. I’d show homes in yoga clothing all the time if I thought I could get away with it. I actually liked showing homes with a mask on because I just had to do my eyebrows and didn’t feel like I had to reevaluate my relationship with the sun.
In addition, I embraced not having to get my body hair waxed! It was extra fun for some of us women in our 30s who are just inconvenienced by a trip to a waxing salon. I refused to shave, so I just let everything grow out. Once I couldn’t take it anymore, I had to find a solution. My regular salon was shut down.
At first, I tried a hair removal gel, and I’m pretty sure I chemically burned my skin. I reached out to a family friend who was making house calls safely, who learned how to sugar wax in Egypt and, to be honest, I’ll probably never go back to any other method of waxing. The sugar waxing exfoliates and heals my skin.
I think, in general, the pandemic has really made me pay closer attention to my skincare routine more than anything. I started wearing a face shield for additional protection from COVID-19 when showing homes to my clients. It was one of those face shields intended to be used to protect skin from UV rays. I was floored by how much my skin appreciated the protection.
Up until this point, I had never even worn sunglasses regularly. I noticed my energy levels increase from the added protection, and started wearing sunglasses and hats regularly. For the first time ever, my eyesight didn’t worsen at my annual check-up. I wear lots of sun protection now. I’m basically always wearing a hat. I can’t believe I went so long without wearing sunglasses. I can’t leave the house without them now.
During the pandemic, I kept my nails short because I was constantly wearing gloves, which meant I didn’t worry about painting them. Now that restrictions have relaxed, I’m definitely wearing lipstick again, and it feels so great to have my nails done.
Source link : https://www.beautyindependent.com/what-american-consumers-beauty-routines-look-like-today
