Times are tough. Trust me, I know. I am currently living in Hong Kong, which was suffering even before Covid 19 came along. I say currently as for the past 8 years I have lived quite a nomadic life, last two years have been in Hong Kong – almost unheard of for me to stay in one place for so long! Hong Kong had months of political unrest, starting with peaceful protests of around 2 million people, followed by increasingly violent protests with mixed agendas. As such, in the months leading up to the pandemic, I’ve had cancelations in my professional makeup artist side of work.
Now in this time of covid 19, most of my work has stopped. At the time of writing this post, Hong Kong is doing ok. We have been with this virus since the end of January. It’s come in waves; the scramble for masks, wearing masks wave (still happening and very useful in my option in slowing the spread), the toilet paper rush, expats fleeing to Europe and then coming back due to increasing numbers of outbreaks there. Unfortunately this undoubtedly made our case numbers go up just as things were starting to plateau. Who knows what will happen next!
At this time we are unsure if we should stay in Hong Kong due to lack of work or go back to Sydney (our home); still just playing it month by month.
Now… what am I doing in isolation? HK is not currently in full lockdown, but it seems sensible to spend as much time at home as possible. In doing this hopefully we avoid a full ‘official’ lockdown!
I’m doing my best to be productive! I have NOT opened Netflix yet! But I confess to watching youtube…
- HIIT workouts – I have got right back into loving these, I make my own sometimes 5 moves, 4 rounds, 40 sec on and 20 sec off, total workout time 20 mins. If I don’t feel like thinking up the moves I do a Joe Wicks HIIT workout from his youtube channel The Body Coach TV. Highly recommend them! If you’ve always wanted to do a class with a specific trainer or studio, but never been able to afford it, this is the perfect opportunity! There is so much free (or very cheap) content being put out online at the moment – take advantage!
- Learning – I have been joining online zoom webinars or doing classes on Skillshare!
- Reading – I currently have two huge books I’m trying to get through. Sapiens: A Brief History of Human Kind by Yuval Noah Harari. It’s extremely in-depth and a lot to absorb so taking me a lot time (I need time to process it!), but interesting. Second is Principles by Ray Dalio, a book on business / economics but put into general life principles.
- Making content – For you guys! Starting up this blog has given me so much to do and learn I’m also enjoying having the time to make little videos for my Instagram and playing with some tiktok videos!
- Face Masks – taking time for myself and doing more masks, wearing less to zero makeup; after all this we should emerge with fabulous skin!
- Cooking – I have been looking up new recipes to try on Pinterest and chatting with friends to get their recipes. I like adding a few more new meals to my rotation… it can get repetitive sometimes!
- Naps – yeah sometimes I’m just lazy and nap – why not!
- Callingfamily – I already video chat with my mum a few times a week, but I have been checking in with my grandma a lot more; she is just a sweetie!
- New connections – I feel this time has brought us all together, given us all something in common, sparking new conversations with people online.
Now to give some praise to beauty brands using their power for good!
Tan Luxe
They are producing 10,000 hand sanitizers to be given to those on the frontline and in desperate need.
Orly International
This nail brand is using their Los Angeles based manufacturing plant to make hand sanitisers; with the first 10,000 batch going to the LA homeless community. The hand sanitisers will also be available by early April on orlybeauty.com.
The Body Shop
In the UK, they are donating care packages to local hospitals for NHS workers, and in North America they delivered around 30,000 units of cleansing products to shelter and senior citizens in need.
Estee Lauder Companies
A huge company, with thankfully a huge amount of generosity. They have donated a $2 million grant to doctors without borders. In China, $800,000 was donated to support numerous large charity foundations. As well as front line Chinese medical staff. $1.4 million worth of in-kind donations to the China women’s development foundation.
For hard hit New York, Estee Lauder is sending 2 million surgical masks for use by frontline workers . They have also reopened their Melville facility to produce hand sanitisers for people in need and front line medical staff. The UK Whitman manufacturing facility has also begun making sanitiser to be donated to medical workers.
Unilever
This giant company is contributing more than €100m worldwide to help affected people.
Alan Jope, Unilever CEO said: “We are deeply saddened by the terrible impact that coronavirus is wreaking on lives and livelihoods everywhere. The world is facing its greatest trial in decades. We have seen the most incredible response from the Unilever team so far, especially those on the front line of our operations in factories, distribution centres and stores.
“We hope that our donation of €100m of soap, sanitizer, bleach and food will make a significant contribution towards protecting people’s lives, and that by helping to safeguard our workers’ incomes and jobs, we are giving some peace of mind during these uncertain times. Our strong cash flow and balance sheet mean that we can, and should, give this additional support.”
Farmacy
This indie brand is donating 10,000 meals a day for 30 days to the charity Feeding America. They also have set up a donation page, and will be matching every donation made.
L’Oreal Group
Is using its manufacturing site to make sanitizers for the French and European healthcare systems. One of their brands, La Roche-Posay, will be sending hand sanitiser to hospitals and pharmacies across Europe. Additionally, they are donating €1 million to a partner non-profit organization to help people most a risk.
There are SO many many more large and small brands out there helping. Fast action is needed, along with compassion and kindness. And for us individuals, supporting local business’ in anyway we can and staying home is the best thing we can do right now.
It’s a hard time for all of us, But when you think about it staying home, in a safe environment, is a luxury that so many people don’t have. So if it’s an option for you, please do.
And – like I have shown above – there is an incredible amount to do at home thanks to the internet!
Stay safe beautiful!
