8 Surprisingly Simple Quarantine Beauty Tips From Martha Stewart

Just like us, celebs are stuck inside and doing their best to adjust to a new reality of self-isolation and social distancing—grown-out roots, chipped manis and all. If you miss your regular salon appointments and the simple joy of getting ready for work in the morning, you can take comfort in knowing that Martha Stewart does too.

Last week, the lifestyle expert took to her personal Instagram (the less polished, blurrier counterpart to her highly-produced brand account) to share a self-isolation selfie, along with a step-by-step guide to the beauty routine she follows now that she has to attempt her “own daily ablutions and preparations” in quarantine. In the post, she also gives a shout-out to her glam squad, which includes a hairdresser, a colourist, a makeup artist and a manicurist.

Surprisingly relatable—aside from the diet advice, please eat as many damn cookies as you like during this difficult time—Stewart’s routine doesn’t include high-tech gadgets or thousands of dollars' worth of skincare products. Instead, you can follow the basic steps with whatever you have on hand.

Here, we present you with a Martha Stewart-approved beauty routine that will see you through until you can see your own glam squad again.

1. Keep it simple

Feeling the urge to give yourself bangs or try an at-home chemical peel for the first time? Trying something new might seem like an excellent idea when boredom hits, but Stewart advises against attempting “frivolous fixes” during these uncertain times. Instead, stick to the essentials (so, um...shower?) and pamper yourself with tried-and-true favourites.

2. Start with clean hair

When it comes to taking care of your locks, Stewart’s advice is simple: “Wash your hair, condition it, [air-dry] it.” In other words, step away from the dry shampoo, give your parched strands some TLC and take a break from your blow-dryer while you can—your hair will thank you.

3. Give yourself a mini mani

Your tips probably need some extra attention after a mani-free month full of vigorous hand washing. The first step? “Remove chipped polish and lightly file your nails,” Stewart writes.

(If you need expert tips on how to remove a gel polish manicure, we’ve got you covered with a foolproof step-by-step guide to getting it all off without damaging your nails.)

4. Use hand cream, and lots of it

We all know how important frequent hand washing is in fighting this pandemic, but doing so means your hands likely feel more than a little rough right about now. Stewart recommends applying “lots of rich hand lotion and reparative ointments” to restore moisture to your skin.

5. Wash your face

“Cleanse your skin well,” Stewart notes. You heard her! Even if you’re not wearing makeup during this self-isolation period, take a few minutes morning and night to wash your face with your favourite cleanser. This will remove excess oil and help keep your skin clear and happy.

6. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize

A crucial part of any beauty routine, including Stewart’s, is to “moisturize morning and night.” (A few of our drugstore faves include The Ordinary’s Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA ($6) and Indeed Labs’ Hydraluron Intense Moisture Lotion ($25). Bonus: They’re both Canadian brands!)

7. Take your makeup routine back to the basics

In the selfie that accompanies her skincare advice, the lifestyle expert is glowing. Her secret? “Tinted sunscreen is good all day. And lip gloss, of course.” Take inspiration from Martha's stripped-back look and keep it simple with just a few essentials. Or go makeup-free! Embrace whatever makes you feel good during these difficult times—there’s enough to worry about as it is.

8. Treat yourself to a relaxing face mask

There’s more to self-care than luxe face masks and treatments, but it’s a good place to start. Stewart recommends using a face mask “two or three times a week.”