Pampering time: Parisians seek post-lockdown beauty upgrade

At a Sephora beauty store on the Champs Elysees in Paris, displays of Dior lipsticks and Lancome eye pencils remained wrapped in cellophane, and the makeup bar where shoppers usually go for trials are still off limits.

But a day after exiting an eight-week coronavirus lockdown, Parisians were already making their way back to cosmetics stores and beauty parlours on Tuesday (May 12), ready to glam up for the outside world again even from under their face masks.

"I needed some shaving cream, even if no-one can see my beard," said Clement Giraud, a fashion worker restocking at Sephora.

Browsing in another alley, close to rows of perfumes than can still be tried on, but are then wiped down with disinfectant, 15-year-old Louise Hautbois said she looking for under-eye concealer.

"I used to go shopping almost every week because I love it. Right now, since the lockdown has been eased, I can do it again. And so, it makes me happy," she said.

Without the tourists that usually flock to see nearby monuments, crowds were thin at the beauty store and surrounding clothing shops.

But local clients were trying new set-ups, such as a click and collect service allowing them to buy online and pick-up goods at the shop door, Sephora's marketing head for France Elisabeth Sehmer said, and even lipsticks were selling.

"I think people are also looking for that feelgood factor of doing something for themselves ... and going back to the routines they maybe lost a bit in these past two months."

As well as the cellophane wraps to discourage people from handling products and putting them back, tills were equipped with plexiglass screens, and carrier bags squirted with disinfectant before being handed to shoppers.

After non-essential stores reopened in France on Monday (May 11), many hairdressing salons said they were fully booked as people rushed back for a trim.

For hair salon owner Marie Leroy, her clients' appointments seem to be more than just grooming.

"When you see people with 3-centimetre greying roots, looking nice and presentable is important for your wellbeing," she said.

Hair salon customer Emeric Mortier sighed a breath of relief as a hairdresser snipped his hair short, the buzzing of razors echoing in the background.

"It feels good, makes me relax a bit," he said. "I can feel handsome again."