We asked students why they’re still dressing up in lockdown

Since lockdown started, despite having nowhere to go and no one to see, students have still been spending time making themselves look good. But, are students glamming up because they are bored and craving a little normality? Or, does looking good result in feeling good?

With Crisis missing in action, Nottingham students have been unable to dress up for their favourite night out. With massive withdrawals, students are using lockdown to glow up. But for who? 

In an article published by the Telegraph, findings revealed that out of 1,800 women in the UK, nearly half still continue to wear makeup in lockdown, 80% of whom said they wear it simply to feel better about themselves. With having more free time than ever before thanks to Bojo’s social distancing measures, students are spending even more time on social media apps like TikTok and Instagram, resulting in makeup challenges and beauty hacks trending like mad. 

So, we decided to ask students why they’re still getting all dolled up in lockdown despite having nowhere to go.

“It makes me feel like i’m looking after myself and motivates me for a productive day ahead”

@rachelsteadx

Rachel, a first year Geography student, told us that, “Although we are all stuck in lockdown I’ve been trying to make myself feel as normal as possible. It is so easy to fall into the habit of lying on the sofa in Pj’s watching Netflix all day. I did start to do this at the beginning of lockdown but found it was just making me feel low.

“Recently, I have been making a real effort to get dressed nicely as well as stick to a skincare routine each day… it makes me feel like I’m looking after myself and motivates me for a productive day ahead.”

“I’m not seeing anyone.. so why not”

@paigecowan27

From outgrown roots-to-faded hair colour, students are choosing to colour their hair in their own hands. Some see this as an opportunity to save money, learn a new skill and kill time.

First year Classics student, Paige, said, “I have always secretly wanted to go red, so I guess now is the best time to do it…The fear of it turning into a total disaster just isn’t really there ”.

“I have never had so much time on my hands to actually make a change and feel good about myself”

@francescalehrer

With no access to the David Ross gym, students like Francesca are staying fit by following live Instagram workouts and Youtube influencers. 

Francesca said, “I have nothing else to do, so this is the best time to motivate myself. I’m not going out as much so sticking to a workout routine is much easier. I have never had so much time on my hands to actually make a change and feel good about myself”. 

However, at the opposite end of the spectrum, some students do not see looking good as a priority on their lockdown agenda. Instead, as quoted by Rachel, “lying on the sofa in Pj’s watching Netflix all day”, was the favoured option.

Now is clearly a time when students are feeling carefree, expressing their long-lived desires, as they are able to do what they want- when they want- without the fear of judgement from others.

With mental and physical health so crucial, a lot of students are investing more time in themselves. Lockdown or no lockdown: with the help of social media, students are dolling up to simply feel good about themselves.