Have You Experienced a 'Beauty Nightmare' While Attempting At-Home Treatments?

More than a third of women have experienced a beauty nightmare while attempting DIY treatments at home – including wonky eyebrows, streaky tan and green hair.

A study of 2,000 females found fringe trims, leg waxing and applying eyelashes are among the things they have tried to carry out themselves.

But for 34 percent it only resulted in disaster – including shaving off eyebrows, upper lip burns caused by hair removal cream and DIY highlights resulting in green locks.

Other respondents said they have experienced streaky fake tans, stubborn wax which wouldn't come off their skin and reactions to homemade face masks.

As a result, 33 percent ended up having to see a professional to get their mishap fixed.

Kim Priest from centre:mk, which commissioned the research, said, "The desire to get that feel-good factor so closely associated with the perfect beauty treatment has created a false sense of security throughout our lives. The 'I can do that at home' thought has led to a wide range of epic beauty fails all women can relate to and often with hilarious results."

"Our research has shown wonky fringes, burns, allergies, hair dye and wax dilemmas are just the tip of the iceberg," Priest continued. "It seems that some simple beauty hacks can go well from home, but for those more challenging, it's best left with the experts and a trip to the salon is called for."

The research also found 40 percent of women have given themselves a DIY pedicure, 15 percent have attempted to tint their eyebrows – and a quarter tried waxing their own bikini line.

While at home, 27 percent roped in their partner to help them with treatments, while 12 percent even asked their child for assistance.

Tasks most likely to require support included dying hair (51 percent), self-tanning (18 percent) and waxing (12 percent) – but a fifth ended up regretting getting their relative to help.

Despite the disasters, 34 percent said beauty is a quick fix to make them feel good and 28 percent feel self-care has helped them during rough times.

And more than a third feel lockdown has made them appreciate 'me time' more than ever while a quarter has realized they need to take more time out for themselves.

In recent months, women have typically attempted two beauty treatments at home and 22 percent said they did so in order to do something for their own self-care.

It also emerged that during the typical week, women spend 76 minutes on 'me time', including going for walks, practicing yoga and even retail therapy.

Other self-care activities include meditation (17 percent), listening to music (55 percent) and enjoying face masks (38 percent).

Following time out and beauty treatments, 47 percent of the women polled, via OnePoll, feel relaxed while 24 percent are revitalized.

Chartered psychologist and author Suzy Reading, who has collaborated with centre:mk as part of the research, said, "Self-care is a life-giving action that tops up our energy bank boosting our resilience and giving us access to our best self. While self-care is not limited to pampering acts, beauty rituals have their place. There are simple rituals and products that we can engage in at home without great expense, and there are also practices that we leave to professionals in order to achieve the desired effect."

"Nourishing the physical body with touch, like tenderly massaging in products with a scent we love, is a mindfulness practice, calming the mind, soothing the nervous system, lifting the mood and stimulating the release of oxytocin, the feel-good hormone," said Reading. "We can dot our day with these rituals and feel better for it."

The most missed pamper sessions during recent months in lockdown included haircuts and coloring, eyebrow shaping and gel nails.

Other treatments women would get regularly included eyebrow threading, pedicures and waxing.

Such appointments give 39 percent a confidence boost, while 27 percent book them in order to feel pampered and 12 percent to de-stress.

And while 44 percent said they get excited for regular self-care treatments, 29 percent have appreciated them more in recent months.

The study also revealed the at-home hacks women swear by including washing their face with cold water, using coconut oil as a hair mask and cold green tea bags to help with dark eye circles.

Priest from centre:mk added. "It is clear from the research that women are eager to take time out for self-care to boost their mental and physical wellbeing. Beauty is a quick fix for making women feel good, however, the research has also revealed that walking, yoga, exercise, meditation, retail therapy and good sleep are among many other self-care activities undertaken to boost well-being. The demand for self-care will only intensify."