Let’s face it: sometimes, booking a hair, nail, or waxing appointment is much easier than actually showing up. Between Lagos traffic, the heat and those days when you simply don’t feel like leaving the house, getting to your next beauty appointment can feel like a task in itself. Thankfully, plenty of DIY beauty routines let you stay on top of your beauty regimen from the comfort of your home, without always having to step out.
Of course, doing it yourself isn’t about trying every beauty hack you stumble across online. A good at-home beauty routine takes a little research, the right tools and quality products to help you achieve results safely. It’s also important to know which treatments you can comfortably manage yourself and which are better left to a professional.
From learning to cornrow or twist your own hair to creating a neat manicure, shaping your eyebrows and treating your hair at home, these simple beauty routines are worth practising. With time, patience and a little technique, you can build skills that make your beauty regimen more convenient, help you save money on salon visits and give you more control over your self-care days.
So let’s dive into some DIY beauty routines you can try from the comfort of your home:
Making cornrows or twists
Looking neat and put-together should not have to take a thirty-minute or one-hour drive to your salon. With a little patience and practice, and tutorials on YouTube and TikTok, you can learn to make simple cornrows or twists on your own hair. Start with clean, detangled hair, work in sections and use products that work for the texture of your hair. It might take a few tries to get it right, but the more you practise, the more confident you’ll become.
Waxing
Hair removal at home is a beauty routine that you have to do carefully. Based on the sensitivity of your skin, it’s important to choose a suitable wax, strips, cream or heater, read the instructions thoroughly, and test it on a small area of skin before proceeding. Pay attention to the recommended temperature as overheated wax can burn the skin, and avoid waxing irritated or broken skin. If you’re unsure about the process, seeking professional help is always a good idea.
Shaping your eyebrows
One beautiful detail on our faces that makes us look put-together, even without any makeup on, is our eyebrows. A little grooming can make a difference, and you don’t necessarily need a salon visit to maintain your preferred shape. Start by identifying your natural brow shape, grab a spoolie, then use clean tweezers, mini scissors or razors to remove only stray hairs. Take your time and avoid over-plucking, as it’s easier to remove more hair later than to correct brows that have been shaped too thinly.
Hair treatments
Giving your hair some extra TLC doesn’t always require a salon appointment. Whether you’re deep-conditioning or using hair masks suited for your hair type, treatments can become a useful part of your routine. Follow the product instructions, pay attention to how your hair responds and avoid mixing treatments without understanding how the ingredients work together.
Manicure and pedicure
Finally, when it comes to your hands and feet, you can give them some attention at home with a simple manicure and pedicure. Start by cleaning your nails, shaping them with a nail file, and gently tending to your cuticles without cutting them. Follow with a moisturiser and your preferred nail polish, or try press-on nails for a quick change. Remember to use clean tools and avoid sharing nail equipment, especially anything that could nick the skin. With a little practice, you can maintain neat nails between salon visits.
