The Top Beauty Trends to Come Out of Pandemic Life

This pandemic has resulted in us becoming our own dermatologists, facialists, and aestheticians, so it makes sense that our beauty needs and wants have changed from what they were pre-covid. Monthly touch-ups are no longer feasible, some procedures no longer necessary—but beauty industry pros say they’ve been busier than ever since opening back up. What’s everyone getting done? We reached out to the experts to find out.

Skin Procedures

“I’m at full capacity,” says Julia Carroll, a dermatologist at Compass Dermatology in Toronto. Although she’s seeing as many clients per day as she was before the pandemic, they’re asking for more services. “Before, clients would come in for, say, just Botox, now they’re adding extra things, particularly upper face treatments,” says Carroll. With face masks required to be worn in indoor public spaces in Toronto, her clients are more focused on treating the mask-free half of their face. “We’re doing a lot of under-eye filler to improve hollowing and dark circles,” says Carroll, “and Botox to soften the lines on the forehead and around the eyes.” But she encourages her clients to not overdo it. “If you have a mask on, the only way you can smile is with your eyes—a smize—and so I’m encouraging them to cut back a bit.”

More invasive treatments with long-lasting results are also popular right now. Carroll’s clients are taking advantage of this time—when half their faces are covered with a mask and they’re at home more than usual—to have a laser treatment that might leave them with redness, flaky skin, or bruising. “The Halo laser has been really popular again because it comes with a little bit of downtime of about five to seven,” she says. “Microneedling is more popular too, because it also requires downtime,” says Carroll.

Coolsculpting is another procedure that’s become wildly popular, now that many people are able to work from home. “I have clients who come in for a coolsculpting session, which is usually like half a day,” says Carroll, “and they’ll bring their laptop and work while it’s done.”

Skin-Care Products

Estée Lauder reports their make-up sales are down—especially for lipstick—but the company is seeing a strong demand for skin-care products. “One of our products that has been doing really well is Clinique’s Moisture Surge,” says a spokesperson from Estée Lauder Companies Canada. “We’ve also seen a lift in sales of masks, especially with GLAMGLOW and Estée Lauder’s new Advanced Night Repair Serum.” Carroll has also seen a spike in sales for skin-care products. “A lot of people feel this is a good opportunity to take on a new skin care routine and commit to it.”

Another reason for the high demand for skin-care products? Maskne. “It’s definitely an issue for people who have to wear masks all day, like teenage kids at school and frontline workers,” says Carroll. “They’re struggling with acne because there’s dampness under the mask and skin’s not breathing all day, which leads to breakouts.” While she offers prescription treatments to her clients, others find success with over-the-counter alternatives such as SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense.

Brow and Lash Treatments

When it comes to eyebrows, “we’re doing a lot of brow lamination and tints,” says Mary Dang, founder of Eye Love Beauty Bar in Toronto. Dang says her clients are looking to emphasize the natural shape of their brows. “Fluffy brows—when they look brushed up and pushed up are a major trend.” says Dang. For that, she offers brow lamination, which is a process that acts like a semi-permanent eyebrow gel to hold brow hairs in a fluffed up position.

As for eyes, “we used to do a lot of lash extensions, but they aren’t popular anymore,” says Dang. “What’s been taking over for us is lash tint and lift.” While the tint darkens the lashes, making mascara unnecessary, lifting offers a temporarily curl.

Pre-covid, microblading (a technique in which eyebrow hairs are tattooed onto skin) and eyelash extensions were seriously trending. So why is there a shift away from those services? “Lash lifts and brow lamination need no maintenance,” says Dang. “As the weeks go on, lash and brow hairs just go back to the way they were, so you don’t need to come back in to get them removed or for a touch-up.” Right now, it’s all about sticking to the procedures that won’t leave you in an awkward position (read: waiting months for salons to re-open for a touch-up) should another lockdown occur—all while keeping yourself looking and feeling good in the meantime.

Now that you know about the hottest pandemic beauty trends, learn about the most important skin-care product (after sunscreen).