The best beauty treatments and regime for the lockdown. By Sonia Haria

Navigating our beauty regimes for the next few weeks – while not the most important aspect of the current pandemic – is something we all might need a little help with. Here’s your guide to looking after yourself during lockdown.

What can I do about the dry skin on my hands? With so much handwashing and using hand sanitisers, our hands need far more attention than usual. Kim Treacy, a celebrity nail technician, suggests applying a thick layer of the Norwegian Formula Hand Cream by Neutrogena (£4, superdrug.com) and pop some cotton gloves on top. Either leave on overnight, or while you watch a film. “If you don’t have any hand cream, try olive oil,” suggests Treacy.

What’s the best way to pluck my eyebrows? “Pluck the stray hairs first before tackling the shape,” advises Vanita Parti, the founder of Blink Brow Bar. “Brush your brows up and across. You can then determine the core brow shape hair to remove. Just pluck one or two hairs at a time, step away and view before you continue – step by step is key. You may also need to trim the longer brow hairs with nail scissors, so brush up with a brow brush and snip any hairs poking above the brow line.” Parti recommends slanted tweezers, as they are more precise, and “will give you the grip you need to grab each brow hair by the root and minimise breakage.”

How do I keep my brows in shape until I can see a professional again?

“A pencil is a great tool to define the shape of your brow,” says Parti. “Place the pencil at the edge of your nose and where it hits your eyebrow is where they should be. Then swivel it from your nose to your iris – this is where the arch should be positioned. Finally swivel again from your nose to the end of your eye and where the pencil hits the brow is where they end.”

How do I make nail varnish last longer now I’m doing it myself ?

“Always apply a base coat, two thin layers of varnish and a top coat,” Treacy tells me. “On the third day, reapply a top coat and as long as you are not digging the garden your polish should last 8 to 10 days.” Treacy likes to use the Nailkale Superfood Base Coat by Nails Inc (£15, johnlewis.com) and Vinylux Top Coat by CND (£8, nailpolishdirect.co.uk).

What’s the best way to keep facial hair neat?

Hair stylist Luke Hersheson says you should maintain the length of your beard with clippers, but to prevent ingrown hairs with a regular exfoliation. “Mix a spoonful of olive or sunflower oil with some rice flour or semolina to make a paste,” adds facialist Abigail James. “It’s cheap, simple and particularly effective on men’s skin as it’s not too scratchy.”

What’s the best way to remove shellac now I can’t get to a manicurist? “Whatever you do, don’t peel it off,” says Treacy, as this will remove some of your nail layers. Instead, lightly file over the nail to take off the shine. Then apply some acetone nail varnish remover on a cotton pad on each nail and wrap with a strip of kitchen foil. “Leave it on for 10 minutes,” says Treacy, “and then gently remove the varnish with a cuticle pusher.”

How can I keep my skin looking good now that I’m indoors?

“Look for any intensive masks with ceramides or hyaluronic acid in to help repair the epidermal layer,” says Dr David Jack, a Harley Street aesthetic specialist. His Face Paints Blue (£132, spacenk.com) is packed full of ceramides and also contains azelaic acid, which can help to reduce redness and rosacea flare-ups. Men also neglect their skin so this is a good opportunity to work a regular mask into your routine. James suggests a mask made from an equal measure of yogurt and honey with a pinch of porridge oats. Leave it on the skin for 15 minutes for a boost of hydration.

Should I start using any peels or active ingredients?

“You can start using active ingredients on a daily basis, but don’t just buy anything too strong,” advises Dr Jack. “You don’t want to strip your epidermal barrier right back. It might be tempting to start using glycolic peels and retinol creams but you need to build up gradually, particularly if your skin is not used to it.” A good routine to start with is using a vitamin C serum such as Vitamin C Repair Serum by Balance Me (£25.60, balanceme.com), with something nourishing in the evening such as a face oil or hydrating serum.

Are there any gadgets I can use at home for my skin? Investing in a silicon LED face mask, which emits red light, can really help the skin and stress levels. “LED has a balancing effect on our bodies, which can benefit us in more ways than one,” says Laura Ferguson, co-founder of The Light Salon. “The lights can help lower cortisol, our stress hormone, and trigger the release of nitric oxide within each cell, our de-stress hormone. Red light also boosts the production of serotonin and dopamine, our happy hormones.” Expect a more hydrated, youthful glow with daily use. (Boost face mask by The Light Salon, £395, thelight-salon.com)

How can I make my fillers or Botox last longer?

“It isn’t possible to use anything topically to prolong their life,” Dr Jack advises. “The only thing you can really do is to use good skincare and stay healthy. There will be time enough to sort out any issues when we are back to normal.”

What’s the quickest way to look presentable for a video meeting?

“Use a good quality moisturiser, a concealer and a good mascara,” the make-up artist Adam de Cruz tells me. Warm your moisturiser in your hands by rubbing them together and then properly massage it into the skin to help bring all the blood to the surface. ADC01 High Performance Moisturiser (£55, harveynichols.com) is excellent for both sexes. Apply a natural concealer such as the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Concealer (£34.50, armani beauty. co.uk) under your eyes and two coats of your favourite mascara. As for lipstick, “apply a balmy, creamy texture with a hint of colour, and look for a multipurpose product you can use on your lips and cheeks,” says Ruby + Millie’s Ruby Hammer.