These 5 beauty trends emerged during the pandemic and weβre obsesssed
Photo sourced from @flex.mami.
If the global pandemic has unveiled one thing, is that many of us now have the power of time on our side. Perhaps for beauty and skin enthusiasts alike, if financial means permits, this means experimenting and trialling new products in the comfort of our own home. For others, like me, it also means embracing a full 9-hours of sleep Iβve yearned for since graduating from my university degree, or divisively spending an ample amount of time testing different acidic serums and hand-held micro-current devices on my lunch break at home. Because self-care is all about balance, right?
With personally more time on my hands than ever, it appears Iβm not alone in this curious journey to discover the latest in skin and hair. In the time of a global pandemic, the internet is practically bursting with creativity as an act of both escapism, and self-expression (or simply, to add a little bit of colour into the day). Whatever it may be - itβs all fun, and outlined below we bring you the trends we cannot wait to try.
1. Slugging
Ok, before you start shrieking after reading βsluggingβ, please be reassured that this has nothing to do with actual slugs. Slugging is actually an old-school process of increasing hydration and protecting your skin against external factors, to achieve soft and supple skin - all with one item and one item only: Vaseline.
Yes, Vaseline, that product you will most likely find under your motherβs bathroom sink or in some cultures, is found out in the family room as a beloved face and body staple. Vaseline was introduced in 1872 by Robert Chesebrough after noticing that oil rig workers in Pennsylvania were rubbing on petroleum jelly to heal and protect their minor burns while on the job. It quickly rose to commercial success and is also now used to treat minor wounds (personally, I remember slathering this on cuts before sealing it with a bandaid when I was in grade school). It has also, it appears, to have gained momentum during the world pandemic, with influencers like Danielle Prescod taking to her Instagram stories to share her great success with slugging while attending virtual calls - all at the same damn time.
Want to try? Slugging calls for two teaspoons of Vaseline which is then, following your (in my case) night-time skincare routine of a cleanser, toner, serum, and moisturizer, wipes all over your face. Aim to lather it more heavily over the areas prone to creases - like your forehead, under eyes, and around the mouth (hi, pandemic face). What youβll find is that youβve created a shield-like surface on your skin which acts like a seel to your hardworking products underneath as you do chores around the house - or hed to bed.
There has been some backlash towards βsluggingβ and not all dermatologists recommend applying petroleum jelly on the skin. Personally, I have quite sensitive skin and am prone to congestion in the jawline area, so I only applied it to the forehead. Unfortunately for me, it actually resulted in me waking up with several pre-pimpled between my brows. However, I think in some cases - dependent on skin type - this could be one trend to try.
2. Eyebrow Lamination
Firstly, can we all just take a minute and say GOD BLESS that thin, barely-there eyebrows are no longer in style? I know it has been a solid 10 years since the world has refuted the over-plucked eyebrow that occupied the spaces of every glossy magazine on shelves, but Iβm still loving it. This is probably because I naturally have quite bushy eyebrows (thanks, dad, aka caterpillar brows). You can imagine, then, I hesitated not one bit to investigate an eyebrow trend that has truly taken off during the pandemic: eyebrow lamination.
Eyebrow, what? Eyebrow lamination is a multi-step process that has been likened to a perm. It can be done both at a beauty salon or at home, so despite where you are living in the world right now, there are some great new products out there to get down and dirty at home, but professional treatment is enjoyable, too.
Eyebrow lamination is said to originate in Russia which makes sense, but weβve also seen it on the likes of Made in Chelsea cast member, Sophie Herman (great brows!). Itβs a three-step process which is essentially lifting, neutralizing, and nourishing the brows. The first step is a brow softener solution which allows your hairs to individually move more freely (like a perm), which is then βlaminatedβ in place with saran wrap. Following this step, a solution is applied to neutralize the PH levels, adding keratin to the brows, before they are brushed out and take a new shape. This is then followed by another round of saran wrap (which acts as a seel), with the final step being a hydrating solution and if desired, some tinting. All of this can be up to a 45-minute treatment.
Why should you consider this trend? Well, it gives you an alternative to other eyebrow treatments that either includes extensive tools (micro-blading), or dye. It also boasts shinier qualities than other procedures and can last up to eight weeks.
Personally, I canβt wait to try this and enhance one of my favourite parts about my face without having to use a gel stick or brow brush (full disclosure: I actually use Vaseline to keep my feathery brows intact, lol). For the most part, we havenβt read anything about possible downsides of this (like with fake eyelashes, which eventually eats away at your own natural eyelashes!), but we think that giving it a try to ~*test the waters*~ couldnβt hurt.
3. No Make-Up, Make-Up
With the rise of beauty and skincare brands boasting mantras about βbeing yourselfβ and βelevating your natural beautyβ, Iβm all here for it.
Personally, Iβve lost count of how many times Iβve literally rolled out of bed, thrown on a black turtleneck, and applied all but either one of two looks: a moisturizer, or a moisturizer plus a creamy blush. I regularly forgo the use of any makeup in my day-to-day, and even when working out of an office was a reality, my personal preference was to wear as little makeup as possible - maybe a bronzer one day, or a subtle blush the next day.
What I want to drive home here is that I am in no way writing this in the idea that I am superior that I wear less makeup - not at all. Itβs just my personal preference and to be completely honest, I tend to look a good 10-years my senior when I apply a ton of makeup (could someone please explain this?).
Anyways, as someone who personally throughout my 29-years has enjoyed the more natural look, I am welcoming all of the new brands that are popping up. Subtle cheek and lip tints, brown-coloured mascaras (as opposed to the jet black) and skin tints, its brands like Merit that are winning when it comes to an easy and beautified look achieved with 1 to three products. The reality star turned wellness maiden, Lauren Conrad also launched Lauren Conrad Beauty during the early days of the pandemic. Perhaps this time of unrest and lockdown has been the perfect incubator for this, truly more timeless look, to thrive, with people more than ever looking to take a break from heavy makeup.
4. Curtain Bangs
Remember when Rory Gilmore was the most enviable person on television because of her gorgeous, barely-there bangs back on season 7? Yeah, same. Apart from binging Gilmore Girls for the umpteenth time during the pandemic, Iβve also noticed something else happening - my hair splitting around my hairline during my workouts. TBH, I have unwillingly given myself curtain bangs and perhaps with one little trip to my hairstylist they could be intentionally fabulous?
Que Gigi Hadid who back in December 2020, snapped a selfie to showcase her new look. Now, it has been seen across the interweb with celebrity stylists like Hilary Duff, Selena Gomez, and Yara Shahidi showing off the ideal haircut for 2021.
5. Fancy Eyelids
What happened as initially fancy downloadable Instagram story filters from brands like Lisa Says Gah and Parade, the fancy eye lid trend - be it multi-layered colours, neon streaks, or dimensional adhesives - have been taking the world by storm. HBOβS Euphoria also pushed us over the edge when it comes to rocking fancy lids, with Zendaya and her co-stars adorning embellished eyes, and cloud-like shapes. Itβs no shocker, really, that this makeup trend took off during the pandemic - itβs the perfect way to stand-out on a remote conference call with the likes of new products that dropped by FENTY BEAUTY, and Rare.
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