How the beauty industry has been affected by Covid-19 and worldwide lockdowns

Like all industries, the beauty industry was hit hard by the covid pandemic, forcing many beauty salons and self-employed beauticians to cease trading and be unable to reopen after lockdowns lifted. Some may say the sector had a significantly worse time than others due to being closed for longer, with the work being in such close contact with customers. But with the ever-growing increase in E-Commerce, were these closures inevitable?

Sales of beauty products online have been consistently increasing in recent years, with online stores such as Beauty Bay and Look Fantastic selling multiple beauty brands giving people the online ability to shop all your favorite branded products in one place, from the comfort of your sofa. But this has already caused closures on the high street, which is possibly the sad future of many more beauty stores, fashion, and lifestyle retail stores. However, with the world open once again, post-pandemic, with the possibility of returning to salons, beauty parlors and stores (that are keeping afloat) to buy products and get treatments, there is a possibility that the industry can bounce back. However, for some the damage of being closed for so long is difficult with covid still remaining prominent in our society and with some people still cautious about the virus, it is still a worry to put themselves at risk, even with the option of wearing a mask. But how long can we continue with masks in salons? Is this real life?

The industry has also seen a rise in DIY beauty and hacks found online, this has caused people to be savvier with money by doing things at home themselves. With all the financial implications of Covid and having more time to themselves at home, people have realised the amount of money they can save simply by doing things themselves, such as at home hair colour kits and home gel nails. With tutorials and bloggers taking to Instagram, TikTok and YouTube in the pandemic, some of these have reached thousands of followers during the many lockdowns, which for some has become a career that has continues post-pandemic. However, it must be said that this has influenced the industry and its ability to bounce back, especially for those that have lost jobs during the pandemic and are trying to save money. But is this any more sustainable for the planet? It could be said that an increase in home kits will inevitably be adding more single use plastic into the world. Some brands have noticed this and have removed certain items from home kits such as a mixing bowl or tint brush, but is this enough? The beauty industry uses an enormous amount of plastic, which is harder than other industries to recycle due to quite often having harmful product left in, such as bleach or toxic dyes. Encouraging home hair dye could be seen as more unsustainable than going to a salon - cheaper doesnt always mean better for the planet!

For many, beauty salons are a treat, and some couldn’t wait to get their salon fixes once allowed by the government again, but for some the lockdowns have shown them what they can do for themselves! Have you changed the amount of salon visits you take post-pandemic or changed your beauty habits?