I am a glass half full woman. Not even COVID isolation will get in the way of that.
My husband is someone who will need to self-isolate until a vaccine is created, and therefore, so will I. Confined environments like a hair and beauty salon's are a no-no.
Several superficial positives have resulted in my new at home beauty regime.
1. Cruelty, Paraben, and Toxin Free Nails
I have discovered a gel polish system from the brand Orly. Their brand is Vegan, cruelty free and formulated without Formaldehyde, Dibutyl phthalate and Toilene. So no more nasties on my nails from now on. For years I have sought to be paraben and toxic free for every other part of my body. Finally I have been forced to do this for my nails too. Luckily I just have short red nails of varying shades when I go to the salon and recreating this look at home is not as difficult as some.
My nails done at home won't be as glamorous, or as refined as when I have had them done at a salon. I accept that, and am hoping I will improve with practice.
The initial outlay for the kit was £200, including the LED lamp. Which although is a lot, the money I would have been spending on my nails was also a lot, meaning that this outlay will be 'recouped' in less than 5 months. From October I am going to be putting aside the money that I would have spent on my nails. I will be saving up for a week away with my loved one when this COVID crisis is over with.
2. Waxing at home
After years of having my waxing done professionally, I can say that I have learnt a trick or two. I am going to miss the conversations and catch up with my beautician, which are priceless. However, I am pleased that I can do what I need to, at home. I will be saving the cost of a weekend break away by doing this, every year.
That is exactly what I am going to do with the money saved when this is over. To facilitate that, I have started putting the money into a separate savings account.
3. Hair
I have a fringe, and a prominent one at that. As you can see from the pictures below. I have stolen my husbands Wahl clippers, and started to cut my own fringe once a week at home. Making sure that I don't cut my eyebrows off by clipping kitchen roll underneath. It is not the salon finish I am used to, but, it will do.
I have also been able to use the Tints of Nature colour at home. Which contains 95% naturally derived ingredients. Their colours are also Vegan, Cruelty, Ammonia, Parabens, Resorcinol and Propylene Glycol Free. I find it pretty simple to do the whole of head colour. Although I do miss my professional blow dry, trim and hair massage with my colour wash off. The at home experience is not so therapeutic. For the time being, it is OK, and looks OK.
I am looking forward to returning to the salon.
Sense of OK-ness
Cumulatively, I am more at ease about things being a little bit rough-around-the-edges.My superficial expectation of myself to be 'perfect' has changed and evolved.
For the past few years I have longed to create a business that would be useful, creative and purposeful. Thanks to COVID, I am content in knowing that business doesn't have to be created right now, immediately. My sense of loss of having not created something is diminishing.
I am OK about making paintings that might not be 'perfect' but have a sense of something that I wanted to create.
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