By Holly Skipp, Brooke Warner and Sophia Wright
In the past two years, trending beauty products have reflected the ongoing pandemic, with consistent mask-wearing resulting in specific types of products such as matte/long-lasting lip products and eye products seeing an increase in sales.
“People are trying to find more products that are longer lasting and smudge proof or waterproof, especially lip products,” says Henna, owner of Sweet One, a home-based business that supplies products all over the UK.
While mask-wearing may result in lower sales of beauty products for lipsticks and lip gels, products for eyes that show above the mask are literally flying off the shelves. “In terms of eyelashes – they go like that,” said Henna, who didn’t want to give her surname.
Although there has been an increased demand for matte lipsticks – perhaps because they are less likely to leave marks on masks – there has been a 70% decrease in lip product sales in late 2020, according to the Cosmetics Association Ireland.
Behind the veil
What’s behind your mask is something beauty influencers are now starting to open up about, sharing their experiences on social media, especially YouTube and Tik-Tok.
YouTuber CZJOUER recently showcased a video titled “How to Smudge Proof Your Lipstick when wearing a MASK (long lasting, no-budge lipstick trick),” which shows her applying three liquid lipsticks for a long-lasting application.
But wearing specialist products – or specialist applications – underneath your mask is not all that mask-wearing is about. Another ongoing issue for make-up wearers throughout the pandemic is the introduction of ‘maskne,’ or mask acne.
Beauty salon worker Simran Dhingia, who works at Alternatives Beauty Salon on Holloway Road, has had many customers coming to the salon with concerns about their acne caused by mask wearing.
“They’re getting these problems because there is no fresh oxygen in the mask,” she explained.
Coping with maskne
The effects of ‘maskne’ are worst for healthcare workers as they have to wear multiple tight masks for prolonged periods of time, with some cleansers and ointments being the best treatment when they are able to take their masks off.
Certain make-up products can also prevent the effects of ‘maskne’, she said. They include tinted moisturisers, which rehydrate the skin whilst giving coverage.
Dhingia said that to keep your skin looking fresh, it’s imperative to make sure your makeup tools are clean for skin application. For everyday mask wearers, it’s recommended to wear a 100% cotton mask for the best chance of fighting off ‘maskne’ and having a filter for better breathing abilities.
Mac’s Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour
Holloway Express recommends: Mac’s liquid lipsticks have a long-lasting formula with a “velvety, matte finish”. Coming in 13 different colours, the lipsticks are bound to be mask proof.
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