From Our Salon Team: Ten Steps For Returning To The Real Life You.

By Damien Miano and Louis Viél

We think—we pray—that the end of COVID is near. We can’t wait to have our clients all back where they belong! Here are some thoughts for the final stretch.

1. Rest assured that sooner or later it will be over. Life may not be exactly as it was but it will sure as hell be a lot better. The constant COVID stress that shows up on our faces, skin and bodies will abate. Take a deep breath and soldier on. You’re almost there.

2. Once it is over, you need to recalibrate. Take a picture of yourself now and compare it to one from a year ago. Do you look like you have aged more than a year? Is your face being dragged down by hair that is too long? Do you miss your old style? Be honest. But don’t excuse your COVID look as an effort to be natural. That’s COVID laziness. COVID is not a permanent excuse for mediocrity. Get back to real life. Reclaim the new old you.

3. Call your salon and think about three things. The focus of every woman’s personal beauty is being reduced to a style of hair, a glimpse of skin, and a set of eyes. So pay some attention to all three. Get your hair back to where you want it and learn how to do it properly. Take care of your skin. And learn how to apply eye makeup effectively.

4. First, hair. Did you let your hair go gray? Was that a good decision for the long term? Not that many people have the bright silk gray we all admire on some lucky women. For most, gray hair is unnecessarily aging and tends to drain the face of color. Calling your hair color “ombre” doesn’t help either. Those are your roots showing. Ombre might be OK for your teen friends, but if you are a Lustre subscriber you are not going to be following the latest teen styles. An exciting new hue that puts color on your cheeks and pep in your step would be a better choice as soon as you can do it.

5. DO NOT CUT BANGS DURING A PANDEMIC. Like your mask, bangs take up too much facial real estate. If you have bangs, and a hat, and glasses, and a mask, you will become invisible.

6. Next, skin. Be kind to yourself and your skin. Take the time to treat yourself to a face mask. Just make sure to take it off before you start a Zoom meeting!

7. Maybe most important, eyes. Learn to do your brows, and your lashes, and your eyeliner. Go bold.

8. You need to pay attention to other parts too. Remember the old adage: “Never go out without your lipstick?” Lipstick always indicates a careful effort to complement an outfit, and is a reliable barometer of the wearer’s mood. Of course, lipstick is invisible behind a mask, so channel that instinct to your nails. Use a bolder color than you might otherwise. A good way to add pizzazz without making a major commitment.

9. Get out of those lemon lulus and sweats. Choose a day, any day, to do your hair, do your makeup, and dress up. Then go out, even if your only date is at the grocery store. Watch how quickly your mood changes. There is power in presentation.

10. Last but not least, take care of your friends and neighbors. You’ll feel better, and look better, and you’ll shine like a diamond—no matter what you do to your hair and face.

Damien Miano and Louis Viél are co-owners of Miano Viél Salon and Spa. They have had years of experience with fabulous clients.