Beauty salons are shut and while hairdressers and barbers can remain open, working under strict isolation measures, most in Ballarat have closed with owners largely feeling unable to assure the safety of staff and clients.

Ballarat mother-daughter beauty duo Viv and Mesina Cudia say even in isolation it can be important for many women, and men, to still feel good about their appearance for self-esteem.

Experts like Griffith University social and organisational psychology professor Paula Brough says for those working at home, looking presentable - ditching the pyjamas and brushing your hair - can also help put you in a work mindset.

Viv and Mesina encourage everyone to relax a little, have fun and work in some self-care. They say this is a chance to give your hair a little breather, and it will emerge stronger.

Here are their top tips to get you through iso with some style:

Winter lends itself to beanies but hairdresser Viv Cudia also says now is the time to rock some new headbands or light-weight scarves, even a nice clip as your hair grows.

Above all, Viv urges people to hold off on cutting or colouring their own hair - she says there is a reason hairdressers and barbers were trained to do it right. Plus, box-dyes can be so damaging to your hair.

There is plenty we can do to help our own hair though.

Viv suggested people reach out to their hairdresser. Many in Ballarat are working on delivering salon quality shampoo, conditioner or other products to promote healthy hair. This includes blondes using high-quality products to wash their hair to keep the tone right and preventing a brassy look.

While this will not prevent re-growth, Viv says there are salon-quality sprays you can match to your colour and use in your hair part between washes.

"This is a chance to give your hair a rest from the straightener and curling wands and leave your hair to dry naturally. Your hair will be stronger," Viv said. "Ladies, doing a treatment once a week at least will help moisturising your hair and we can take the time to leave it in a little longer at home.

"Play around and not be worrying too much.

"At the end of the day, if you look good then you feel good and if your hair is good, you feel good."

Viv suggests simple styling, like tying long hair up in a bun or behind a headband.

This can also be a fun time for mums and dads to practise different hair styles on kids. And there are plenty of YouTube tutorials for adults to play with too.

For women who are used to getting a perm, Viv suggests popping some velcro rollers in to help keep shape and body in your hair.

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Those brows you have been dreaming about? Make-up artist Mesina says isolation is a great chance to let your brows grow out so when isolation is over, beauty therapists can really work their magic in shaping them.

But it is okay to pluck an unwanted hair on your face - just do not get too tweezer-happy and risk patchiness.

Mesina says social media has been flooded with women concerned about their eyelash extensions falling out or eyebrow tints wearing off. She suggests trying something natural, like castor oil, which can often take months to show improvement.

We have the time to try and the chance it was unlikely anyone would notice too closely your brows via Zoom.

In terms of other hair removal, Mesina suggests using a good body scrub to prevent ingrown hairs from wax kits or shaving. Or, if choosing not to shave your legs, scrubs can help keep legs smooth.

Scrubs can be homemade, like using coffee grounds or sugar to exfoliate with an essential oil.

"I like to try and do things myself and not break the bank," Mesina says.

"If you've had a stressful day in isolation, a little pamper can be an easy thing to do to help you feel a little better."

Facials can be an easy way to self-pamper, Mesina says, by using ingredients in the house while you're having a bath or watching television. Honey, avocado, banana and yoghurt are some of Mesina's top facial ingredients.

Mesina says isolaton can also give more women the option to not wear make-up as often and to let skin breathe.

Like hair, time in isolation can also be a chance to have a play and have fun with beauty.

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