Lockdown changed everything. The only time I left the house was for groceries, and I suddenly found myself locked out of so many little luxuries that I had taken for granted. For example, my bi-weekly manicure appointment was no longer a thing. Then I realized I couldn’t even get a trim for my split ends. Well, time to figure some things out then!

I have to admit, that I was pretty quick to adapt to the changes. I had more time on my hands considering that I wasn’t going out anymore. YouTube and Google were essential in making sure my previous salon treatments would go well. I was able to look up best practices, tips, and most importantly, tutorials that I could follow along with.

These are some of the salon treatments that I started doing at home during the lockdown, and even now.

Hair Color

The main thing people notice about me is my hair, only because it’s constantly changing from full-on bleached blonde to deep forest green ends and black roots. I love to change up my hair color and style to fit my mood. Quarantine convinced me to try out all kinds of colors because worst-case scenario, only my boyfriend would be the one to see major mess-ups.

I made an effort to put down the bleach, and go for color-depositing conditioners, which are much better for your hair as opposed to regular dye. I also used color-boosting glosses for certain shades. The more vivid the color, the quicker it will fade so a good gloss can definitely save you on color treatments.

Hair Treatments

I spent a good amount of quarantine focused on growing out my hair, and ensuring I could get it as healthy as possible to do so. Thankfully, brands like Olaplex have released various bonding treatments that you can easily incorporate into your routines at home to help you care for your strands.

I also invested in haircare products that would help air dry my waves, and cut down on all heated appliances. No need to try all of the things! But you should definitely find a good repairing balm to help you manage your hair in between cuts and trims. L’Oréal’s Elvive 8 Second Wonder Water also worked wonders when my hair was being extra rebellious. It tamed my frizz immediately and left my hair so soft and manageable.

Manicure + Pedicure

I am an acrylic and gel girl, so you can imagine my dismay when I realized I had to do my own acrylics at home — my bare nails are way too weak on their own. I turned to YouTube to see what other professionals were using and observed their techniques. Needless to say, I’m terrible at doing my own acrylics, but the process was still easy enough to do at home for a while.

My pedicures require much less maintenance, so the Olive & June pedicure kit has been essential for me.

High-Tech Skincare

Remember when I wrote about my experience with using red light therapy to achieve my skin goals? Well, it’s more relevant now than ever. COVID-19 lockdowns forced us to do so many of our beauty habits at home, including the high-tech ones. There are so many devices out there now that are safe and ready for you easily get your best skin sans the major salon bill.

Waxing

Pre-cut wax strips have saved me a lot of money…and agony. Thankfully, just about every personal care department has them, too. I use them to tame my bikini area, and help to get rid of straggly brow hairs. If you are going for a complete at-home wax kit, just be sure to do your research on best practices so you don’t cause any burns.

Chemical Peels

We should not be afraid of chemical peels — so long as we are following strict directions! After all, do you really want to end up like Samantha Jones in “Sex and the City” when she went for a chemical peel on a whim, and then had to hide her chemical burns behind a mourning hat?

At first glance, it can definitely be intimidating to get started with peeling products. But when used right, your skin will thank you with the ultimate glow-up. I have been using the INKEY List’s Apple Cider Vinegar Acid Peel, and have noticed such a difference in my skin’s texture and appearance.

the products that got me through:

Featured + main image from Sam’s Favorite CBD Products