We splashed out thousands on our post-lockdown makeovers

THIS week many of were desperate to get back to pubs, restaurants and gyms for the first time in months – but beauty buffs had other things in mind.

Here, Siobhan O’Connor meets three women who blew their savings on post-lockdown glow-ups.

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TESCO store manager Nicola Wood-cock, from Monton, Gtr Manchester, booked the day off on Monday to splash out on £1,100 of treatments.

Single Nicola, 31, who visited LA Aesthetics and Aurora House Of Beauty, both in Monton, for her pampering, says: “When my alarm went off at 6am I leapt out of bed for my busy 12-hour shift and skipped out the door.

Nicola Woodcock blew £1,100 on treatments, including Botox and a spray tanCredit: Matthew Pover

Being a key worker in a supermarket during the pandemic has been busy, tiring and often stressful. I have been working 12-to-15-hour days trying to enforce Covid guidelines in stores.

With salons closed, I haven’t felt myself at all — even my colleagues say all I’ve done is moan about how awful I look.

So on Monday I took annual leave. I started with a facial at 9am and my last appointment did not finish until 9pm, with a one-hour break at lunchtime.

My first appointment was Botox and a Profhilo facial at LA Aesthetics — a £500 anti-ageing treatment, which injects hyaluronic acid into the skin to boost hydration. I’d noticed my face was rapidly ageing as lockdown went on.

The key worker, 31, said she didn’t feel like herself while salons were closedCredit: Matthew Pover

To lie back on the bed and feel my cheeks being massaged felt incredible. Two treatments down and I was already feeling a million dollars.

Next up was my hair, nails, tan, lashes and brows at Aurora. As I walked into the salon, I was greeted with a balloon arch, cupcakes and a flower wall ready for all the glow-up pictures.

It felt as though nothing had changed, only we were now wearing masks and it was quieter due to social distancing.

I felt completely safe — staff were in all the correct PPE and everything was sparkling clean.

Throughout the day, I felt the old me returning — a voluminous set of lashes, a golden spray tan, and last but not least, four-hour balayage and blow dry.

My backlog of treatments was costly, but no more than I would usually spend over a few months, and in lockdown I’d saved up.

After my treatments, I felt and looked 24 again and I feel like I’ve got my youth back. It’s such a confidence boost and I cannot stop smiling. I’m back to work for the rest of the week, but I’ve already told them they won’t recognise me.

I’ve got a brunch booked in with my friends who have all had treatments too — and of course, another blow dry next week.”

Nicola saved up to fund her long day of treatments but said it was no more than she’d usually spend over a few monthsCredit: Matthew Pover

LISA MIDDLETON invested £1,800 on cosmetic “tweakments” this week.

The NHS worker, who lives with partner 46-year-old Mark Shaw, a fleet manager, in Burnley, visited Michelle Green at Cosmetics Aesthetics in Accrington.

Lisa Middleton enjoyed £1,800-worth of ‘tweakments’ this weekCredit: The Sun

Lisa, who has an 18-year-old daughter, Olivia, says: “Last March, just before the pandemic hit, I had bariatric surgery to have part of my stomach removed. I have struggled with my weight since the age of 12 and tried every fad diet going.

While I was delighted to lose seven stone during lockdown, this took a toll on my face as the weight not only dropped from my body but also from my cheeks, jaw and neck too.

I had saggy jowls and bags under my eyes. I hated looking in the mirror and didn’t want to get out of bed in the morning. Make-up didn’t do anything as it just sat on the saggy skin.

Prior to lockdown, I occasionally had Botox but had missed months of appointments.

The NHS worker, 48, wanted to treat herself after working tirelessly throughout the pandemicCredit: The Sun

Luckily, I managed to book a slot on Tuesday and drove 20 minutes to the salon. I had not left my town, or my house, for months so I felt like I was doing something I shouldn’t, but as soon as I reached the salon, all those anxious feelings faded and I felt joy.

I had several treatments, from jaw fillers to Botox, and tear trough filler. While Botox takes two weeks to notice, most of the treatments give instant results.

I could see the filler plumping my skin. I’ve never had a jawline and now I do, while the floppy skin on my neck has completely disappeared. It made me feel euphoric.

I never spend money on clothes, I hate shopping, and I don’t often splash out on holidays either. I get more enjoyment spending on my face – I have to live with that every day.

Lisa had nose filler, Botox, jaw filler and a few other treatmentsCredit: The Sun

My partner knows how much I spend and he reminds me that we work hard and deserve it. We’ve all been key workers throughout the pandemic.

My daughter Olivia works at Home Bargains so all three of us have been working around the clock.

It really has been magical to see the results in one hit too, as often you have appointments spread out, so you don’t necessarily get that immediate transformation.

I finally feel happier when I see my reflection – it’s money well spent.”

JILL BARRATT, from Wolverhampton, spent Monday and Tuesday in the salon chair, spending nearly £3,000 on treatments, plus extra on products.

Jill, who lives with husband Terry, 50, and son Connor, 17, visited Zaks Hairdressing in Wolverhampton and Heaven Health & Beauty in Shifnal, Shrops.

Jill Barratt spent nearly £3,000 on pampering and productsCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

The marketing firm owner, who runs her company with Terry, says: “I was so excited to be booked into the salon for the full works after a horrible few months away, it felt like all my Christmases and birthdays rolled into one.

I’d had enough of attempting to give myself treatments but, just as importantly, going to the salon is how I relax and unwind too.

I have a thorough regime that requires regular trips to the salon every week pre-lockdown, from waxing to nails, massages to neck treatments.

I get a three-weekly root colour to touch up my greys and a blow dry three times a week.

The business owner, 46, said ‘it felt like Christmas and birthdays rolled into one’Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

As soon as Boris announced the reopening date, I was straight on the phone to Zaks. I couldn’t wait to get my dry, drab, dull-looking hair back to its pre-Covid bouncy self.

Masked up at the door, I felt excited as I waited impatiently to be let in. As soon as I settled in my chair, I instantly felt at ease and there was a great atmosphere.

Just a few hours later, I was almost unrecognisable. The next day I went to visit Deborah Mitchell at Heaven Health.

I had my brows waxed and tinted, a mani and a pedi, laser hair removal treatment and a bee sting facial, which I hear the Duchess of Cornwall and Victoria Beckham are fans of.

Jill enjoyed a facial, microblading and lip treatments

Sinking into the massage table, I felt I had come home and it was bliss – the most divine facial I have ever had in my life.

Afterwards, I was glowing. I looked younger and felt refreshed, like I had just slept for a week.

My makeover was a long time coming, and even the masks and precautions didn’t dampen my wonderful experience. I don’t feel myself without my treatments and I say if you work hard, relax hard too.”