COVID-19 has put a cramp in our beauty style. By now, you may need a beauty rescue to look and feel like yourself again.  Hairstylists, nail spa experts, and cosmetologists want you to look and feel good during the pandemic. Still, they don’t want you to damage your hair, skin, or nails until you can make an appointment. Here are some of the best do-it-yourself tips for hair, nail, and skincare while you’re at home.

How to cover those roots

Hairstylists agree that coloring your own hair is risky. Buying the wrong color or leaving it on too long can do damage that will cost money and time to repair later. Instead of permanent color, you can use hair color spray, available from several brands. Style your hair as usual, and then spray the roots that show. Temporary color also comes in powder form. Use an eyebrow liner, eye shadow, or mascara to cover grays in a pinch. Some stylists will also mix up a small batch of color and deliver it to you so you can do a minor touch-up.

What to do with shaggy bangs

If your bangs look like they need a trim, tread lightly. Try a different hairstyle or a headband to get bangs away from your eyes. If you absolutely must cut them, use good scissors and cut straight across. It’s better to snip off a little at a time than to cut them too short. A centimeter at most will probably not cause any harm that won’t grow out quickly.

How to fix acrylic and gel nails

As your nails grow out, resist the urge to pick and peel off the old color and product – it can leave damage that will take months to grow out or repair. Instead, soak cotton balls in acetone polish remover. Apply a cotton ball on top of each nail and then wrap it in foil. In about 20 minutes, your color and artificial nail material should slide off. Use cuticle cream or olive oil to restore the shine to your nails and condition your cuticles. You can give your nails some time off to breathe or use a little clear or pale nail polish. Keeping nails short will make it easier to keep them clean, too. After your 20-second hand washing, make it a habit to moisturize as well. Keep a small bottle of lotion next to each sink as a reminder.

Dealing with lash extensions

An easy beauty rescue for lashes is to wear a little more eyeliner. The extra color at the base of the lashes will make them look fuller. As your extensions start to fall out, do not pull on them, or you might also take your real lashes out.

To wax or not to wax

If you have never waxed your legs at home, this is probably not the time to start. But whatever you do, professionals say absolutely don’t shave. Shaving will put you back to square one, and you’ll have to let leg hair grow out in stages to get smooth legs again.

The fix for unruly eyebrows

When it comes to your brows, beauty experts say, “When in doubt, don’t pull it out.” Avoid waxing your eyebrows unless you have done it successfully before. If you have a couple of strays, proceed to pluck with caution. Don’t use a magnifying mirror – you may pull out brow hair just because it looks more significant than it really is. Pluck brow hairs right after a shower or bath – they will come out more easily and with less pain. Be sure to pull in the direction the hair is growing. You can also use a brow comb to brush up and trim long stragglers with small cosmetic or cuticle scissors. You can also go with the grow and use a brow pencil or gel to even out brows and cover grays.

A great time to pamper your skin

While you have time on your hands, treat yourself to a refreshing or soothing mask.  A mixture of yogurt, honey, and oats are great for sensitive skin.  To remove oil and add some aromatherapy, use fresh aloe, lavender essential oil, crushed petals, and honey. If you need a beauty rescue from a breakout, whip up an egg white, add a teaspoon of lemon and a tablespoon of honey, and leave it on your face until it starts to harden.  You can also use a homemade scrub made from sugar or coffee grounds. Mix the scrubbing components with olive oil, avocado, or mayonnaise. You can also use this as a lip scrub since all the ingredients are edible!  Be sure to follow up with a moisturizer.

A treat for your make-up drawer

This is a great time to clean and organize your beauty supplies. Use gentle face soap and warm water to clean brushes. This will keep color fresh and wash off any bacteria that can gather in the bristles. Lay them on a towel to dry. Sort through your cosmetics – eye shadow, lipsticks, etc. and throw out anything you haven’t used in a while or maybe too old to be safe. Anything that has an odd smell or crumbly texture is better to be thrown out.

Staying home doesn’t have to mean the end of your beauty routine. Make a few changes and adaptations for a little while until we can all return to normal.