Covid Face Is NOT A Thing

If The Times is to be believed, we are now a nation of slack skinned, sun-damaged shadows of our former selves, creating grooves in the pavement in our droves to Botox practitioners in an effort to ‘repair’ the catastrophies that are our faces. It’s bad enough that the entire beauty industry is hell bent on telling us everything tiny thing that could be perceived as a flaw, from Maskne to Zoom face, needs mending but really, I don’t want to hear it from a national publication that should know better and offer more impartiality.

As always, it’s the result of  ‘research’ – from a cosmetic treatment specialist, designed, I imagine to whip us up into neurosis so that we hone in on those previously un-noticed facial ‘irregularities’. There would be little to no point in the research finding that actually, women of the UK are more relaxed about their appearance (due to going nowhere), are benefiting from better skin (thanks to no make-up) and who really couldn’t give a shit if their hair is a bit messy.

It’s clear that as a nation, we are shifting more wine than before which can have detrimental effects to the complexion (and liver, but I’ll keep it beauty) and probably eating more than before. Stress, if you have children who have been confined to a sixth floor flat (or anywhere indoors) for months, of course – it’s going to take its toll – as will job insecurities, money worries, health issues – nothing about this has been easy. It feels inappropriate to extend the point to curing a slightly tired looking face.

Lockdown, for many, provided the first relief from the commute in years, mass Yoga With Adriene outbreaks and a full hour of grateful walking that may never have happened before. The sun shone in those hours of stepping out, our tones were warmer, our hair was messier but healthier, our complexions took on less pollution and benefited from an upsurge in skin care purchases, and most importantly of all, we lost the need to look perfect.

Stress and cortisol are inextricably linked, which via the nervous system, could, in theory lead to a loss of collagen and elastin (and fat, but we’re all eating more terrible things, remember, so surely there should be more?) which may show on your face. But, more likely, in my view, the survey refers to people who already have volume treatments and are noticing them running out. Because it all runs out in the end. I find it hard to believe that a survey from a tweakment practice surveyed people who had never had any.

Everything in my experience, from talking to friends and listening to readers and commenters, points to the fact that many of us are feeling better about how we look. As we arrive at that hard won place, to be told that actually, no, we look utterly awful (“pandemic grimace”) is unacceptable. If you look tired, it’s because you probably are – and there is absolutely no shame in that state of affairs. Similarly, if you look stressed – well, little wonder. It’s a very confusing and upsetting time. But there is no shame in this either and it is a transitory state. Things will get better, time will pass and now is not the moment to add to everyone’s burden by pointing out there is a problem with loss of collagen. As part of the beauty industry, we should be better than this – kinder and more open minded about what constitutes beauty exactly. Less set on perfection and more accepting that beauty is individual, more than one thing and doesn’t need endless tweaking to exist.

I just wanted to undo some of the damage by counterpointing what will no doubt become a popular beauty topic. It’s okay not to look perfect, it’s okay to look and feel tired and it is very much okay to turn your eyes away from a beauty theme that makes you feel worse. Beauty is an industry that exists on insecurities – look away from them – this is not what any woman needs to see right now. You can be both beautiful AND tired, I promise.


Discover more from British Beauty Blogger

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.


Posted

in

by

Tags:

Have your say

52 responses to “Covid Face Is NOT A Thing”

  1. Karin

    Beautiful comment by a beautiful writer. Thank you, Jane!

    1. Jane Cunningham

      Thank you so much Karin x

  2. Brilliant Jane,
    The perfect antidote to the beauty industry hype – what happened to be being kind to each other?!

    1. Jane Cunningham

      Thank you Lin x

  3. Lizzie

    Well said! Thank you for being the voice of reason.

    1. Jane Cunningham

      Thank you Lizzie xx

  4. Carrie Bishop

    This made me laugh out loud – “messy hair – who gives a shit” – yup – heartily agree. Somebody spent time making up ‘pandemic grimace’? Who writes that rubbish?

    1. Jane Cunningham

      It’s a horrible expression to use about anyone’s face.

  5. Caroline Ericsson

    Love love love this!! ❤️

    1. Jane Cunningham

      thank you so much x

  6. Rachel

    Yes Jane! Hitting the nail in the head as always!

    When I was working from home I had the best skin I’ve had since I was last in Mexico (the humidity clears my pores!) and although we were stressed of course, life was so much simpler. I hate how some parts of the industry thinks they need to put us down in order to sell things.

    1. Jane Cunningham

      Knocking you down to sell you up is tried and tested – I expect it from brands who have products to sell but not from journalists.

  7. Bbdg3316

    *stands up and claps loudly in own living room. What an amazing piece, thank you x

    1. Jane Cunningham

      thank you so much! xx

  8. SuziY

    Thank you for addressing this Jane because it was starting to annoy me. I only ever read your blog and advice these days. I’m tired of the Beauty Influencers & Skincare Gurus although I’m sure most of them are very nice people. I wish I could remember where I read it but the other day someone was advocating “ Triple cleanse”. I have enough trouble with one cleanse. When I was working 12-13 hour shifts I’d fall into bed with no cleanse! Never neglected my teeth though

    1. Jane Cunningham

      What we have learned I hope, from influencers, is skin care confidence and the ability to form opinion about our choices. Back in the day we just blindly followed whatever Clinique (or same) said and that was it because we didn’t have exposure to anything else. Seeing products being used, hearing about them and making a visual assessment of the person presenting it to you – it’s just a whole different way to experience beauty. The fact that you’ve called BS on a triple cleanser (correctly, in my view) is the perfect example of assessment that years ago would have been impossible. I hear you on the fall into bed thing – I’ve been known to a) not brush my teeth til morning and b) *steady yourself* use a face wipe.

      1. Carrie

        Ladies – both hit the nail on the head and, as ever BBB, just a lovely, thoughtful and kind view. Suzly – I’m the same, BBB is ALWAYS a fantastic, trusted, first port of call. Honest recommendations, considered views based on a solid backbone of tested knowledge – surely the gold standard of what everyone should require of beauty journalism. For the brands, take note – BBB’s readers have the nonce and cash, so give BBB some big love.

        1. Jane Cunningham

          Stop! I’m blushing!!! What a lovely comment to take me into the weekend – thank you SO much!

  9. Brilliant – thank you, Jane!

    1. Jane Cunningham

      Thanks Zoe x

  10. Sarah

    Thanks Jane. I saw the article and it didn’t reflect my own experience either. I couldn’t have put it as eloquently as you though.

    1. Jane Cunningham

      Thank you Sarah 🙂

  11. Sue

    Thank you Jane for this excellent article. I love my makeup and skincare but the beauty industry does have alot to answer for. We dont need to have any more insecurities. Life is difficult enough as it is. Very best wishes to you.

    1. Jane Cunningham

      thank you Sue 🙂

  12. Marion

    This should be in the Times! There’s too much normalisation of ‘tweakments’ in the media.

    1. Jane Cunningham

      I think – honestly, tweakments are fine – for a lot of women, its just whatever gets you through – I have Profhilo now and then and Botox (not ready to lose my lids so I have it specifically to keep my eyes open rather than to erase lines) – I just hugely object to this constant barrage of wrongness concerning faces … there is no such thing as a ‘right’ face and I want to see more balance and less continuous negative references. I also think it’s rather insulting to anyone who has Covid to see it trivialised in such a way but I know I risk sounding holier than thou for that thought.

  13. Kim Hutchinson

    Well said and spot on, thank you Jane!!

    1. Jane Cunningham

      Thank you Kim xx

  14. Mary Freer

    Great antidote. Trying to frighten women into procedures is getting boring. If your product does the trick, as many do, you don’t need scare tactics.
    I think they’re worried that a recession will hurt their trade numbers.

    1. Jane Cunningham

      I’m sure you’re right – in fact, it probably has already.

  15. Thanks for these words of common sense Jane. As if people don’t have enough to worry about at the moment!

    1. Jane Cunningham

      Thanks Clare x

  16. Kim

    Well said Jane

    1. Jane Cunningham

      thank you Kim x

  17. Bravo, Jane. Well said. Thank you for speaking for women who want to put their best face forward (in my case, concealer and blusher even if I’m not seeing another soul) without becoming enslaved to treatments that, as you say, will run out if not invested in for the rest of your days. Having said that, when I was finally able to get my highlights done, I realised that’s a tyranny I’m prepared to embrace!

    1. Jane Cunningham

      Thanks Cassandra – I’ve no problem with treatments – I mean, do as you please with your face – but just object hugely to the narrative that looking younger is somehow more beautiful than looking yourself. People come to ageing in their own time and their own way – some can accept straight away and others can’t so it’s good to have options but less assumptions about what beauty is would be helpful. Also, hear you on the highlights and bravo for the concealer – frankly, a bit of lipstick is about all I’m mustering day to day!

  18. Avra Goldenblatt

    So well said Jane Cunningham! I live in Canada but here to we are constantly being told about how we need to be tweaked to be beautiful. I do believe that having worn less make-up, and cared less about how I looked on Zoom calls has done my soul well. I also had no nail extensions for the first time in 15 years and grey roots ( which I will say was my only complaint). I took care of my feet with at home products. So I felt pretty good. You have hit the nail on the head as usual – we need to be confident in who we are and what we look like. And finally having a chance to have a walk in the park in the middle of an April day was just what the doctor ordered for me! You are always the one I go to for the most truthful insights about the beauty biz. Well done! An OG subscriber to your fantastic blog!

    1. Jane Cunningham

      That’s so kind of you Avra – thanks for sticking around! I love doing my own nails – not so much the old hair dye though.. I was glad to get a trim and dye I must admit. Apart from needing to take something to sleep for a couple of weeks and then being very wakeful after that, I can’t complain health or beauty wise about anything at all and I feel lucky for that.

  19. Honey McKinley

    Just adding my thumbs up too. I look to you for sensible writing not gushing over the latest thing and get that every time!

    1. Jane Cunningham

      Thank you – it’s so appreciated :-))

  20. Well done Jane ! Beauty should be about feel good and positivity not more misery and put downs. Voice of reason. Congratulations on your intelligent and articulate followers too. Emma (Imedeen)

    1. Jane Cunningham

      thank you :-)) Still a big fan of Imedeen – been using it since I did sponsored content years ago and now a converted customer!

  21. Ruby

    Yes brilliantly put Jane, thank you! I’ve been so stressed (for most of the reasons you’ve outlined) I don’t need to be told I might look awful too! Also, I just saw an article in a major publication for the best foundations for women over 40 and they had a woman clearly in her early twenties pictured. You’re absolutely right that perhaps the advertising and language around beauty could be kinder! Great piece.

    1. Jane Cunningham

      Thank you so much Ruby – I think not only does it need to be kinder but also more respectful. It’s just downright rude to assume that beauty is something that is continually fading rather than adjusting.

  22. Catherine

    Thanks Jane. I’ve stopped using concealer when I’m tired, because I think it’s fine to look tired…it’s a pandemic for goodness sake! Every year, I usually top up my tooth whitening -but not this year. My teeth don’t have to look dazzlingly white – who on earth cares right now? I haven’t waxed my legs – and have worn shorts and shorter running leggings – being half Japanese, I realise, I’m actually not that hairy anyway. I haven’t done my gel nails or gel pedicure but kept everything short, clean and well cared for. I look a bit less sleek, but perfectly fine. I look just exactly what I am – a normal person doing my best for myself, my family, my friends and my community in a really difficult time. Rather than hiding who I am, I’m proud of it in a way I’ve never been before.

    1. Jane Cunningham

      yes, well done you! I think we have all fallen into simpler routines and realise that we can very well survive just being ourselves. Funnily enough, one of the things I did do was use whitening toothpastes which has paid off over a period of time – I got caught in a covid/toothaligner trap where the process that should have been finished in May is STILL not yet done, so thought I might as well at least have whiter teeth by the end of it!

  23. As a cosmetic surgery blogger myself, I have been as guilty as the rest of the media in talking about the ‘Zoom boom’ and the rush for lunchtime ‘tweakments’. It is probably over-hyped and I agree that the skin needed a good rest from office day makeup. I do know of several people who have been disturbed by their zoom thumbnails and booked botox and fillers. Some, of course, were just missing the freedom to get treatments anyway and now they are classified as unhappy ‘Zoomers’. Really enjoyed your article which did go some way to redress the balance. I will share it on my social media.

  24. Scrapmate

    Much as I enjoy reading your product recommendations it’s your ability to cut through the BS with your general articles (such as the one above) that I love.

    1. Jane Cunningham

      Thank you – that’s really appreciated x

  25. What is wrong with people?! I did not know about this ‘covid face’.

  26. jo

    Pure class Jane. I loved this.

    1. Jane Cunningham

      Thanks Jo!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Discover more from British Beauty Blogger

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading