An easy WFH beauty guide
WE really went from wearing full faces of makeup to Zoom meetings in April and May 2020, to turning off our cameras during such meetings in 2021. A colleague admitted that they’re now mostly halfnaked in bed when these meetings take place with a shirt on hand nearby just in case the host says, “Everyone, please turn on your cameras for a group photo!”
I am lucky that the office-supplied computer I use, an Acer, makes me look decent even if I don’t in person. But just in case you really need to turn on your camera, here’s a cheat sheet for you:
Having good skin is the best turn-on-your camera cheat but not all of us were born with it. If you haven’t yet, establish a good and solid routine. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Just make sure you are consistent, meaning you need to do it twice a day. You can start with a good cleanser and moisturizer for the evening. For the day, you need a dependable sunscreen with an SPF50. If your skin is acne-prone, look for cleansers with ingredients like salicylic acid. For those with dry skin, ceramides are your best best.
■ Try: Cerave Renewing SA Cleanser or Cosrx Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser
Use a good base when needed. What got me through 2020’s Zoom meetings was the Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate Soft Radiance Foundation SPF50/PA. I no longer use foundation all over the face. Most days I just apply a drop starting from the middle of my face, blending outward with my fingers. This year, I’ve been loving the Shiseido Synchro Skin Radiant Lifting Foundation, a new version of the brand’s famous Synchro Skin line (which I also love). I like this because it provides adequate coverage but with a skin-like finish. Again, I just use a drop or two and blend outward with my fingers.
■ Try: Shiseido Synchro Skin Radiant Lifting Foundation
One of the favorite beauty tips I’ve learned in quarantine is that if you want to use blush for an online meeting with camera on, the color needs to really pop. If your application seems to be too much for real life, then you know that’s just right. Find a red or reddish blush. That would work more than pink ones.
■ Try: Issy & Co. Crème Blush in Scandal
You can always forego makeup but you need to groom your brows always. A once-over with a spoolie will do. I haven’t had my brows groomed since February 2020 and it shows. I have this palette with waxes and powders that I love because it also has a mirror. It also has a tiny spoolie and a clear wax, and those are what I use regularly more than the colored waxes and powders. It’s just nice knowing the palette has everything I need just in case I want to make the extra effort.
■ Try: Benefit Brow Zings Pro Palette
You don’t really need to wear a lipstick. I normally don’t anymore. But I do apply a lip balm or scrub my lips because they’re so dry and chapped lips really show up on video.
■ Try: Mentholatum Lip Ice
I try to make working from home as “normal” as possible although I don’t keep the usual working hours. I do have busy days, which are usually Wednesdays and Thursdays, and I have deadlines almost every day, even on weekends. So I try to shower before I start working just so I feel refreshed. I don’t really have Zoom meetings nor events everyday but it still feels good to be presentable even if I’m just in house clothes. I make sure to use a nice-smelling body wash or soap. Nothing overpowering; just something that smells fresh.
■ Try: Safeguard Gentle Micellar Face & Body Cleanser
I’ve sort of given up on my hair. I haven’t had it colored nor cut in a while. I just try to fix the front of it because that’s what can be seen on camera anyway. I’m lucky that on most days, my hair behaves, thanks to this shampoo from a Korean brand that I’ve been using. I alternate it with an anti-dandruff shampoo.
■ Try: Jennyhouse Rebak Style Repair Shampoo