Personal grooming: a lockdown survival guide

Now we’ve stocked the space under the bed with panic-bought rolls of toilet paper, our minds are turning to the problem of personal grooming during lockdown. What do you do when the cute spring drops from that perm the hairdresser convinced you was ‘back in fashion’, and your carefully ombréed locks are beginning to lose their lustre? Don’t give up! These works from the Gallery’s collection offer follicular guidance for those worried about what the dog might think of their ‘iso-do’.

Sue Ford Sue Pike 1963, printed 1988. Art Gallery of New South Wales, gift of Tim Storrier 1989. © Sue Ford Archive

We’re all in the same boat so just embrace the bad hair days. The old ‘my video is not working’ is advisable for conference calls with colleagues (and also enables you to work in your pyjamas).

Giovanni Brilli, after Guido Reni St. John as a youth 19th century. Art Gallery of New South Wales, gift of Miss H.M. Dickinson 1899

The isolation mullet. You know you’ve always wanted one. What better time than now to cultivate such a glorious mane?

Nicolas de Largillierre Portrait of an officer circa 1714–15. Art Gallery of New South Wales, gift of James Fairfax AC 1995

Wig out and assume the role of an 18th-century gentleman officer. Armoured breastplate optional.

Guerrilla Girls Do women have to be naked to get into the Met. Museum? 1989. Art Gallery of New South Wales, purchased 2014. © Guerrilla Girls, courtesy of guerrillagirls.com

Go all out and don a mask, Guerilla Girls style. (Not recommended for use in protection against COVID-19.)