Beauty Hacks To Save Your Nails, Hair, and Lashes If They Are Overgrown

Realistically speaking, heading over to your salon to get your hair fixed or even your nails done would probably the last thing you have on your to-do list at the moment and for obvious reasons. We know — you’re probably used to booking your beauty appointments the month before so you can get dolled up for that date you’ve been looking forward to for days, or even update your followers on the ‘Gram with that selfie of yours you’ve scheduled to post every Friday.

(Photo Courtesy)

Whether you’re practising social distancing or you’re just naturally a homebody, learning how to pamper yourself at the comfort of your home seems like the most viable solution for present (and future) times. More specifically, we’re talking about fixing those overgrown black roots, your eyelash extensions that have fallen off the face of the earth, and of course, your last gel manicure that’s growing out indefinitely. So what are you supposed to do when you only have yourself to count on in these trying times? Read on (and bookmark this article if you must) because we’re giving you the lowdown on the secret beauty hacks you need to know if you’re lazy or stuck in self-isolation.

NAILS

GEL NAIL POLISH STARTER KIT
Gel Nail Polish Starter Kit ($68.26) — full set including set of gel nail lacquers, nail art tools, topcoat base gel set and fast curing LED lamp. Available online at Lazada. (Photo Courtesy)

Though we find ourselves splurging about a hundred bucks (or even more) on a gel manicure, investing in your own nail kit might be a better option if you find yourself stuck at home, or even if you’re too lazy to head down to the nail salon. Equipped with a set of gel nail lacquers, nail art tools, a top coat base gel set, and a fast curing LED lamp, this set is undoubtedly one of the most affordable options you can find out there — with a price tag that’s set to half of your usual gel manicure.

The only setback: well, you’ll probably need to have some pretty steady hands to paint your own nails.

GLITTER NAIL POLISH

But what if you’re looking for an alternative option to fix your overgrown gel manicure that you’ve had for the past 5 weeks?

 

1. NAILS INC. BEACH BOTTLED NAIL POLISH, $17
2. BUTTER LONDON GLAZEN™ PEEL-OFF GLITTER LACQUER, $18
3. NCLA GLISTERING SCALE NAIL LACQUER, $23
4. NAILS INC HOLLER-GRAPHIC NAIL POLISH, $22 
5. SEPHORA COLLECTION COLOR HIT NAIL POLISH (LIMITED EDITION), $8
6. NCLA GLITTER RIOT NAIL LACQUER, $23

Look no further and reach out for a bottle of glitter nail polish. Haven’t got one? It’s about time you should.

(Photo Courtesy)

See, the trick of the trade doesn’t just lie on the type of polish you use, but also where you paint your nails. In this case, to cover up your overgrown nails, use your glitter gel nail polish to paint over the unpolished area above the cuticles. It’s great because it covers up space while jazzing up your nails with speckles of glitter for a different look.

HAIR

Have dark coloured hair? Good for you. But what if you’re stuck with a blonde ‘do and your black roots are starting to show? Or worse — what if your grey roots are starting to get the best of you? It’s a perennial age-old problem that many of us tend to face and though it can be easily fixed with a trip to the salon, trying these quick alternatives at home might just do the trick for the time being.

TOUCH-UP SPRAY
Rita Hazan Root Concealer Touch-Up Spray for Temporary Gray Coverage, $38. Available at Sephora
Rita Hazan Root Concealer Touch-Up Spray for Temporary Gray Coverage, $38. Available at Sephora.

The thought of sitting in your bathroom as you wait for the dye to set in can be a pain in the a**, especially if you’re guilty of being terribly impatient. We know. For a fast and temporary fix to get rid of your grey roots before you step out of the door? Spritz on a touch-up spray like this one by Rita Hazan.

Magic Retouch Instant Root Concealer Spray, $16.90. (7 shades) Available at Guardian,. Watsons and online on Lazada.
Magic Retouch Instant Root Concealer Spray, $16.90. (7 shades) Available at Guardian, Watsons and online on Lazada.

Other options to consider include L’Oreal’s Magic Retouch Instant Root Concealer Spray which also does the job and comes with an affordable price tag at that too!

TEMPORARY COLOUR GEL 
Christophe Robin Temporary Colour Gel, $54. (4 shades) Available at Sephora.
Christophe Robin Temporary Colour Gel, $54. (4 shades) Available at Sephora.

If you love your hair colour but you’re afraid of ruining it with that cheap box of hair dye, then you’d probably be better off trying a temporary colour gel instead. With a colour hold of up to 5 to 7 washes, this temporary colour gel by Christophe Robin helps to conceal and colour your roots. To top it all off, the gel is also suitable for sensitive scalps so you won’t have to worry about dealing with an itchy sitch.

LASHES

For some of us, our lives depend on four things for survival: air, water, food and lastly, eyelash extensions. And though we can make do with our trusty mascaras, we can’t bear to live without our monthly lash appointments because we’ve been so overly reliant on them. Nevertheless, there are other options that you can explore for you to bump up your look in a matter of seconds.

Ardell Magnetic False Eyelashes, $16. Available at Sephora.
Ardell Magnetic False Eyelashes, $16. Available at Sephora.

Let’s say you’re preparing for an online conference call and you’ve little to no lashes to work with. What should you reach out for if you’re pressed for time and you’ve only 5 minutes to prepare? Introducing these trendy magnetic eyelashes by Ardell. Although it might not seem like the best option when it comes to a long-term solution, these magnetic falsies work perfectly well if you’re planning to go glam in a snap. Line your eyes with their magnetic gel liner, stick these lashes on, and you’re set for the day.

AnteAGE Overnight Lash Serum, $85. Available online.
AnteAGE Overnight Lash Serum, $85. Available online.

But if you’re thinking of giving your lashes a break, then you might want to invest in a lash serum just like the ones by AnteAGE. All you have to do is to apply a coat on the base of the lashes every once a day, you’ll (hopefully) start to notice your lashes grow longer and thicker by the day!