It’s easy to get lost in the negative aspects of being in a lockdown. However, the lockdown has brought a few positives such as enhancing inner reflection and newly found self-empowerment. Delilah Kealy Roberts offers a fresh perspective on finding self-empowerment through beauty during the pandemic. Read on:

Finding Self-Empowerment Throughout the Pandemic, by Delilah Kealy Roberts

how the lockdown has enabled self-empowerment — *Credit: Pixabay*

Getting ready to go out seems like a long-forgotten memory. Establishing a beauty routine, putting on makeup, and selecting that perfect outfit that is sure to impress others – it’s been a while since beauty has taken such a performative nature. Despite this, many of us have found our beauty regimes to be more important than ever this year, and beauty has evolved into a tool of self-empowerment.

Starting From Scratch

This year, we’ve had to make-do. Many people found this challenging, especially at the beginning of the pandemic when salons, hairdressers, and other sacred houses of beauty shut their doors for the first time. After a while, however, many of us leaned into this new way of doing things; lockdown haircuts reigned supreme. After analysing Google search data, we can see that searches for “how to cut your hair” rocketed in late March—and people took the opportunity to become home manicure experts. This shift away from sole reliance on others for our beauty needs has brought with it a certain sense of empowerment. The lockdown also served as a great time to mix up your beauty routine and try something a little different.

Finding Mindfulness in Beauty

the lockdown has enabled self-empowerment — *Credit: Pixabay*

For many, beauty has become about so much more than just looking good. The routine of skincare, makeup, hair treatments, and even picking out an outfit for the day ahead can, for many, become a form of mindfulness. During a year when pretty much everything we consider ‘normal’ has been flipped upside down, the stable routine of beauty has been incredibly grounding. This applies to both old and new beauty routines. Comfort can be found in performing your regular beauty routines at the same time each day, while empowerment and enjoyment can be found in trying something new. For many, beauty routines offer an element of self-control and can make a huge difference in how they mentally prepare for the day ahead.

Dermatologist and psychiatrist Evan Rieder, MD, says that:

“I think beauty and skin-care routines are a form of mindfulness for many of us and give us the experience of getting in touch with the moment.” He goes on to explain that: “So much of what we do has been lost due to the pandemic, so beauty self-reliability, while born out of necessity, gives us a sense of control over our lives, a greater sense of purpose, and the power to know that we are capable of providing well-being promoting activities on our own.”

For people everywhere, this mindfulness has been more necessary than ever while navigating 2020.

Imperfections? They Make Us Unique

self-empowerment through beauty during lockdown — *Credit: Pixabay*

In addition, the lockdown has helped us realise that everyone’s different. We shouldn’t just try and accept our imperfections, we should celebrate them. Easier said than done, of course. But the lockdown has given people everywhere an opportunity to give makeup a break and get used to feeling good in their own skin.

It may have taken a global pandemic, but as a society, we’re learning to be more relaxed about beauty standards. Through this, many people are not only learning to accept their flaws but coming to love them. People everywhere are embracing the world of beauty through a new lens. One that allows people to experiment with makeup and beauty, finding what works for them and engaging with beauty practices. Not because it will look good to others, but because it will feel great for themselves.

With our relationship with beauty evolving into something more empowering and healthier, it’s exciting to imagine what the post-pandemic world will bring. Hopefully, we can take these lessons of empowerment and self-acceptance forward, feeling comfortable in our own skin. Go out into the world without makeup or pick the designer swimwear that we really want to wear – not the one that we think we should wear for others. Empowerment, positivity, and self-love are the main feelings that we should take away from our relationship with beauty during the pandemic.

The piece was written by Delilah Kealy Roberts on behalf of Heidi Klein