The Rise of the 9-to-5 Beauty Routine

Anastasia, a 28-year-old working in London, has discovered a unique approach to thrive in the corporate landscape: she views her work hours as a time for self-improvement. While managing an administrative role in a creative industry, Anastasia schedules beauty appointments during work hours, oils her hair, and applies hydrating facial sprays. She even takes lunchtime walks to get her steps in and uses her breaks to research salons and supplements (which she keeps at the office). While working on her laptop, she engages in activities like creating Pinterest boards, making to-do lists, and consulting tools like ChatGPT for beauty advice. “My health is my top priority, so I utilize work hours to focus on self-care,” she explains.

Recently, Anastasia shared her tips on TikTok, sparking a conversation about corporate wellness secrets. Many viewers chimed in with their own self-care hacks, which ranged from applying nail polish during video calls to simply remembering to stay hydrated at work. With younger generations reporting unprecedented levels of burnout, the question arises: Can incorporating beauty and wellness rituals into the workday truly help combat the stresses of corporate life?

Anastasia emphasizes the importance of maintaining productivity as she balances her beauty treatments with work responsibilities. “I ensure all my tasks are completed before indulging in self-care,” she states. As she points out, many jobs don’t always prioritize employee well-being. “Gen Z is asking employers what they offer in return for our dedication. If a job doesn’t work out, there are always alternatives, but you only have one life to live.”

However, the current job market can be intimidating, especially for entry-level positions. It’s not uncommon for employees to feel apprehensive about utilizing company time for personal activities. For some, this leads to a disengagement with the workplace, prompting the question: if the company doesn’t value its employees, why should they be invested? Despite potential pushback, Anastasia finds that her beauty routines are worth the risk, though her company’s rigid policies sometimes present obstacles. “If only I could work from home, I’d have so much more time for my rituals!” she muses.

Lauren, a 26-year-old freelancer in New York, has also found creative ways to enhance her productivity. She occasionally works from a local spa, Bathhouse, where she feels more focused and motivated. One day, she found herself on a business call while seated in the sauna. “I told them I was at a coffee shop,” she recalls, “though I was surrounded by people in bathing suits! Being in that environment helps drive my productivity because I’m eager to finish my tasks and enjoy a cold plunge afterward.”

In my own experience, I often opt for quick salon visits during my lunch breaks. Living just a five-minute walk from a nearby salon allows me to squeeze in trims and hair treatments efficiently. Last week, I crossed paths with a woman who had her laptop balanced on her knee while getting a root touch-up. “My boss once accidentally turned on my Zoom camera during my facial. Everyone laughed it off, but I was still engaged in the meeting,” she shared. “There are times when I need to pause my hairdresser to take a call, but late-night work sessions often make it all balance out.”

“There are times when I have to ask my hairdresser to pause on blow-drying because I need to say something on a call, but there are also nights I work until 11 pm, so it balances out.”

On the flip side, not all workplaces embrace such flexible arrangements. The rise of remote work and constant connectivity blurs the line between personal and professional time, often leaving little room for self-care. Some people resort to unconventional methods to incorporate wellness into their work lives, showcasing a societal issue where work-life balance is hard to achieve. Instead of enjoying nature, many find themselves trying to “maximize” their steps on office treadmills or performing core exercises in their chairs. Brooke, a 30-year-old in Los Angeles, shared her struggles: “In a previous job, I was so busy I could barely take breaks, yet I wanted to ensure I was still booking appointments.” After switching roles in 2024 to prioritize her well-being, she now integrates self-care into her workday by marking appointments as ‘busy’ in her calendar. “Your appearance matters when you’re on camera all day,” she adds, noting her realization about the influence of physical appearance on professional relationships.

Corporate beauty rituals are often subject to different standards, particularly pertaining to gender. While it’s common to discuss business on the golf course, yoga classes are seen as inappropriate for work discussions. Women, especially, face scrutiny for their efforts to conform to beauty standards. It’s concerning that women frequently endure biases based on their appearance, yet are derided for prioritizing personal care. Additionally, women of color often deal with specific pressures regarding hairstyle choices in the workplace, leading to the belief that maintaining an appropriate appearance becomes part of their professional responsibilities.

While these beauty rituals may seem beneficial, they won’t solve the overwork culture prevailing today. Many women feel forced to adhere to certain beauty standards, blurring the lines between wellness and corporate productivity. The guilt associated with claiming self-care time during extended work hours is indicative of an imbalanced work culture. Advocating for more work-life balance is crucial, and perhaps there’s hope in witnessing higher-ups publicly engaging in self-care during remote meetings.

Estella Struck, 25, is a marketing manager and an advocate for self-care in the workplace. As a boss, she actively promotes healthy habits, like “habit stacking.” Estella enjoys brainstorming while exercising on the stairmaster or in a sauna, finding that it enhances her creativity. “If work consumes so much of our lives, it’s only natural we seek ways to reclaim our time,” she reflects.