Feeling unkempt when you look in the mirror and see roots and unwaxed brows? You’re in good company; even celebrities have gone weeks without their glam squads.
Salons are reopening locally, but if it takes a while to get into your stylist’s chair or you don’t feel comfortable venturing out yet, don’t be discouraged; an at-home routine can help you feel more put together. Here’s what the local experts suggest for do-it-yourself maintenance — and what you can request at your next visit to get maximum mileage from your services:
Erin Glisson – Owner, Brushes Salon
HAIR
• First and most importantly, don’t let yourself become another Facebook haircut or box-dye fail. We can fix many hair problems, but we aren’t magic.
• Various brands offer color dusts and sprays to temporarily cover your roots. While you’re at it, why not try out some new products and styling tools? We can make recommendations and even offer curbside product pick-up.
• On the positive side, the lockdown has been a great opportunity to let your hair breathe a bit. You can even help it with some healthy treatment products. Remember, everyone is feeling the same. We all have roots, fading colors and a yearning for some “hairapy.”
BROWS
• This is the one time I wouldn’t suggest “go big or go home,” like purchasing an at-home wax pot and trying to learn to wax your brows yourself. Start small and invest in a good pair of tweezers and only use them to pluck the stray hair surrounding the eyebrow while maintaining the thickness and shape.
• Pencils that fill in the brows can look amazing, but you don’t want to default to them due to over-plucking.
NAILS
• There are some temporary solutions ranging from easy-to-maintain press-on nail kits to at-home manicure kits for those who don’t wear any type of acrylic. Kits typically come in a range of colors, designs and shapes with everything you need. They may not be the real deal, but they at least can make you feel pretty and even give you a sense of normalcy while you’re at home.
• This could be a time to let your nails breathe, just as with hair. Purchasing an at-home manicure set with cuticle oils, cuticle pushers, clippers, files and buffers can allow you to maintain your nails and ensure they’re ready for your manicurists when they get back to business.
Cristina Switzer – Stylist, District Salon
HAIR
• Using a root spray or powder that matches your base color is best between colorings.
• Go with a shade that is closer to your natural color so as it grows, the roots don’t look so prominent.
• Ask your stylist to do a more natural-looking color technique that can help with keeping maintenance low.
• Usually hair that is medium length to long can keep its shape for longer periods of time.
BROWS
• Keep a natural shape whether your natural brows are thick or thin. Tweezing between services will be easy because you’re just tweezing the hairs that have grown out of place. I like to follow up with the Beautifying Oil by Aveda.
Amber Bosarge Lord – Owner, Salon Rouge
HAIR
I would recommend Goldwell’s Dualsenses Color Revive root retouch powder. It is a powder designed to perfectly blend in the roots while absorbing oil and sebum for a refreshing hair feel. It comes in four colors and is a great way to cover up the grey or blend highlights until you can get back in the salon.
BROWS
To keep up with maintenance on your brows, I would stick to plucking the hair underneath your eyebrow and leave messing with the shape for your wax professional.