Make it clear: I’m not in a competition to emerge from quarantine as the most polished version of myself. I’ll admit, I often wear the same leggings for multiple days, swapping between my top two favorites as laundry day looms. I’ve also stretched out the intervals between washing my hair, convincing myself it’s about conserving shampoo or allowing my hair to rejuvenate with its natural oils. I like to mix up my excuses. But when it comes to makeup, I apply it every single day.
Sure, there are days when I need to appear presentable. I’m still working, connecting with clients over Zoom, and leading virtual Pilates classes to bring some sense of normalcy to others. However, even on days without teaching, my eyeliner is flawlessly winged—well, as close to flawless as I can manage.
It may seem trivial, even superficial, to spend time on makeup when a global pandemic rages on, with healthcare workers donning protective gear to care for patients who are suffering alone. Yet, every morning, I reach for my mascara and eyeliner, even if I’m just staying home.
This isn’t the first time I’ve prioritized a makeup routine during challenging times. I vividly remember three moments from the day of my late husband’s funeral: the instant I felt the air vanish from my lungs, the moment I walked behind the casket with my children by my side, and the moment I stood before the mirror at dawn, carefully applying liquid eyeliner to my swollen eyes.
Perhaps my commitment to makeup is purely vanity, akin to the character in horror movies checking her lipstick in a rearview mirror, oblivious to the chaos around her. I’d like to think there’s more to it.
Reasons for Wearing Makeup During Quarantine
Some women wear makeup during quarantine for valid reasons. First, it’s important to understand that makeup has never been solely for others. I’m not putting on makeup to impress my neighbor, whom I might wave at from a distance while collecting the mail, even if that wave brightens my socially isolated day.
Dr. Linda Dawson, a clinical psychologist, explains that makeup can help delineate workdays from weekends, which is essential as isolation blurs these boundaries. However, I find myself wearing makeup on weekends too, so that’s not my main motivation, though it certainly makes sense.
Dr. Philip Hartman, a psychologist at a leading hospital, notes that applying makeup can instill a sense of control when external circumstances feel unpredictable. This resonates with me—being able to determine the look of my eyelashes is a comforting thought.
There’s also a meditative quality to the makeup application process. Dr. Dawson elaborates that directing focus to one task while using our hands can be immensely satisfying. It’s true; while blending colors and applying makeup, I’m not preoccupied with my phone or the next potential disaster looming outside.
For me, I wear makeup for all of these reasons and one more: I do it for the same reason I adorned my face at my husband’s funeral. I clearly recall applying that black eyeliner, recognizing how trivial the act seemed. Yet, I thought that if I looked put together, perhaps I wouldn’t succumb to tears—an unfounded belief that crying would signal weakness. I didn’t want anyone to witness my pain, as if a well-done eyeliner could obscure my heartache. Looking in the mirror afterward, I saw a familiar face amidst an unfamiliar world.
I wear makeup during quarantine not for the approval of my neighbors and not to mask the toll of the pandemic on me. Instead, I seek comfort in knowing that even when everything around me feels alien, I can look in the mirror and see a face I recognize—a woman who remains steadfast in at least one small aspect of life.
As the world shifts dramatically, find solace in that sense of familiarity.
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Summary
Despite the chaos of quarantine, I continue to wear makeup daily for reasons beyond vanity. It provides a sense of control, serves as a comforting ritual, and helps me maintain a connection to my identity during challenging times.
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