How the Lockdown Affected Our Relationship With Makeup

2020 has flipped most of our lives upside down. Instead of commuting and working from an office Monday-Friday, we’ve constructed makeshift desks at home. (Hello, from my dining table.) Instead of getting dressed in our finest, we’ve been living in nothing but loungewear. And, it should come as no surprise that most of us have switched up our makeup and skincare routines, too.

When I asked my fellow beauty editors about their pre-COVID makeup routine, their responses ranged from the whole nine yards to super minimal. While Kathryn F.’s daily makeup routine consisted of primer, foundation, blush, highlighter and lipstick, Christina F. stuck to Farmacy’s Green Screen for SPF protection, a little bit of Benefit Cosmetics' Boi-ing Hydrating Concealer, a sweep of blush on the cheeks and maybe some highlighter—only if she was feeling ~extra~ fancy.

Suddenly, we found ourselves in lockdown with video calls becoming the peak of social interaction. While most of us are sticking to a minimal routine, every ounce of makeup we’re applying these days is purely out of personal motivation.

Kathryn F. and Christina F. use makeup as their time to play and create looks as a creative outlet—even if it’s just for selfies. Des A., on the other hand, still gets excited to try new lip balms/glosses and false eyelashes that make her feel more confident. Victoria V. finds makeup to be a therapeutic art form, especially in these chaotic times.

Self-care looks different for everyone. Do whatever makes you feel good. Whether you’re keeping your makeup routine consistent or focusing on skincare like me, enjoy it. Get creative with your makeup as a form of self-expression, or enjoy the extra time/peace of mind that comes with not wearing makeup every day. Regardless, now’s the time to re-evaluate your relationship with makeup, and embrace the things that truly bring you joy and confidence.

Makeup products we’re currently playing with

Christina F. is loving the Wayne Goss Weightless Veil Blushes. She’s been experimenting with the different levels of pigmentation and highlight in these blushes.

“I was surprised that my favorites were Vivid Azalea and Blush Peony, which look a bit too bright in the pan for my pretty minimalist look. They’re a definite mood picker-upper!”—Christina

Kathryn F. has been getting creative with Danessa Myricks’ ColorFix—as eye shadow, eye liner, face paint—the possibilities are basically endless.

“I like to apply it with a super-fine-tipped paint brush I got at an art store, so I can draw weird shapes on my eyelids. If there was ever a time to do a cow-print eye, it’s now!” —Kathryn

Victoria has been dusting off her lip and eye palettes, rediscovering her favorites (looking at you Soft Glam!), experimenting with color combinations and using products in unconventional ways.

“Sometimes, lipstick looks better as shadow.” —Victoria