Healthy, glowing skin does not always have to be an expensive trip to a salon. While drinking enough water, getting the right amount of sleep, and following a daily care routine does help to keep skin fresh, there are a few DIY tips you should follow. Even more so now, with a mask covering your face for several hours a day leading to acne, dry or peeling skin, and itchiness.

1. Washing and moisturizing skin – Clean and moisturize your face daily whether you can step into your favorite salon or not. While washing your face, use a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser. Use lukewarm water to rinse your face and your fingertips to apply a face wash. Resist scrubbing with a washcloth or sponge as this could irritate your skin. Apply a moisturizer, your options are endless so pick the one which suits your skin type the best. Finally, try to limit washing to twice a day

2. Putting on a face mask – Facemasks are one of the trendiest ways to care for your skin. They help absorb excess oils, open clogged pores, and reduce inflammation. They also make you feel relaxed and are a fun way to give yourself a spa-like feeling at home. Remember to choose the right face mask for your skin type. Since masks come in several forms including, sheet, mud, gel, cream, and overnight, do not skip the instructions on the box

3. Care for your lips – While you instinctively lick your lips to keep them moisturized, doing so can lead to more dryness. The key to having healthy lips is to first exfoliate. This helps eliminate dry, flaking skin, and restore softness. You can use a lip exfoliating scrub. The next thing to keep in mind is to hydrate. Apply a lip balm or moisturizer daily. If you are stepping out in the sun a lot, you can even opt for a product with SPF

4. Smile with your eyes – Your eyes are one of your most noticeable features, especially nowadays with a mask being worn in public. Everyday activities can lead to wrinkles, redness, dryness, puffiness, and dark circles. A good night’s sleep, cotton balls dipped in cold water and the occasional sliced cucumber over your eyes does help, and you could also invest in various creams or products to keep your eyes healthy. For those who are staring at a screen for most of the day, remember to take a quick break every 30 minutes. If we are to believe the saying “your eyes are your window to the world”, it is very important to take care of them

Whether you want to save costs or if going to a salon is not an option, you can still pamper yourself at home. A manicure or pedicure could be the ideal start. Treating yourself to a mani-pedi is not only satisfying but can be therapeutic.

Studies show that people who struggle with minor anxiety could find solace in the repetitive motion of nail painting, and if this helps you get through the on and off lockdowns while adding a bit of style to your nails, it is worth a try. The steps to follow are straightforward:

1. Wash and moisturize your hands or feet – If you cannot step into a salon, use this opportunity to give yourself a mini hand or foot massage. Begin with washing your hands or feet using a mild soap or moisturizing soap. You can use a scrub that exfoliates hands, wrists, and forearms or your feet and shin, removing dead skin, and replenishes moisture

2. Give a balm a try – Hand or foot creams and balms are designed to treat damaged or dry areas and can even be applied after moisturizing

3. Focus on your nails – A nail polish remover not only gets rid of polish, glitter, or dirt but also has essential nutrients to strengthen your nails and moisturize your cuticles

4. Clip and file – Clip your nails if necessary and then gently file them moving in one direction. You can add one more step if you can get your hands on a cuticle remover. Using one helps dissolve dead skin and softens the area

5. Apply a base coat – The recommendation is always a minimum of two coats. The base coat hydrates and protects nails. Waiting at least two minutes between each coat is a must

6. Create your personalized nail art – Here is the fun part: you can try a safe color or a mixture of two bold hues or even add a design if you’re feeling creative. Remember to get the brush all the way to the cuticle and the corners of your nail

7. Clean-up act – The final step is to take a cotton ball dipped in nail polish remover and carefully wipe off any excess color from the edge of your nails or around your cuticles. Let your nails dry for five minutes and enjoy the feeling while you show off your salon-like nails

Being unable to step into a salon does not mean you have to neglect your hair. While your stylist would know your hair texture, preferred color, and required treatment, it is not difficult to add that touch of glamour yourself. So, let your hair down with these simple DIY tips.

1. Wash – Regularly washing your hair ensures your scalp and hair are free of unwanted oil and dirt. However, excess washing could damage your hair as well. For an oily scalp, washing on alternate days can help but for dry hair, twice a week would do the trick

2. Oil – Giving your hair and scalp a good oil massage is the ideal pre-shampoo treatment. While it restores moisture content, enables growth, repairs split ends, boosts shine, and nourishes hair, it also helps you feel good and relaxed

3. Shampoo – The first thing to keep in mind is picking the right shampoo for your hair type. Fine hair would require a gentle shampoo or even a clarifying one on occasion. Those with thick or coarse hair can look for something with moisturizing qualities. Now, color-treated hair needs a shampoo that is color safe and would not damage your dye after every wash. And always remember to check the label on the bottle; the lesser the number of chemicals in your shampoo, the healthier your hair

4. Condition – Your conditioner helps you manage your hair a little better while protecting it from treatment and environmental aggressors. For dry hair or even tight curls, you could benefit from applying a deep conditioner almost up to the roots. If you have oilier hair, a deep conditioner can be used from mid to the end of your hair and a regular conditioner closer to the roots

5. Dry – Yes, blow-drying would give you that salon look but too much heat can damage your hair. So, unless you’re heading out or in the current scenario, heading in for that all-important virtual meeting, limit your drying techniques to air or towel drying after a good wash

6. Color – Adding a few highlights or even coloring your hair at home is pretty simple and safe to do. Once you have selected the best shade and bought the quantity required depending on the length of your hair, you are ready to begin. Most boxed hair colors would come with easy-to-follow instructions. Avoid combining multiple different shades of hair color. And while on a DIY mission, always remember to color a few hidden strands of hair first, then look at the result before you commit

7. Style – Styling your hair helps you complete your desired look. Keep in mind that whether you are using a gel, mousse, cream, serum, or other products, a little goes a long way, so start with a small amount and add more when needed. Finally, styling requires the right tools, so choose the correct brush for your hair type, read the instructions on your electronic accessories, and feel proud of your skills when you’re able to do the movie-like hair flip