Daytime soap characters doing their own hair and make up

One of the more noticeable changes that has taken place because of COVID-19 is the different look that the soap stars are displaying. Since taping resumed the actors on daytime drama are now doing their own hair and makeup as well as providing their own wardrobe. I did not pay much attention until this past week because several characters wardrobe seemed out of sinque with how they were dressed in the days prior to the coronavirus. In some cases the changes can be easily detected, but with others not being so noticeable. Here are a few that stuck out to me, so please be advised this is not a critique but an observation of change.

On General Hospital William deVry has Julian Jerome sporting a rugged salt and pepper look complete with beard. His hair is combed forward over his forehead and the handsome actor said on Twitter that his look is evolving daily. Costar Chad Duel who plays Michael Corinthos has a slightly different color to his hair than he did prior to the coronavirus and it’s layered differently. Ava Jerome’s makeup was not quite as vibrant as usual but Maura West pulled it off because she has naturally glowing skin. Lulu and Maxie’s dresses on Friday were not what they would usually wear on a big night out and their hair also was slightly different than when done by the professionals on the set.

On The Bold and the Beautiful Shauna and Quinn’s tresses were not as bouncy as before and Zoe was wearing a wig that was light brown and blonde. Previously Ms. Buckinghan’s mane was a rich darker brown and filled with waves. She also previously had deep blue eyes which now are a light brown so possibly she was using colored contacts. Zoe’s look was the one I found to have the most identifiable change.

The soap that in my opinion had characters with the more notable changes was The Young and the Restless. All the women’s faces were less made up and most all of them had their hair parted down the center rather than any particular style. I detected that no one wore a lot of mascara or used false lashes. Ashleys’s tresses were very blonde and thin and a little shorter than usual. It was not evident, however, whether or not she was wearing a wig. Mariah and Tessa had the part down the middle and both had styles that were somewhat understated. Chelsea usually dresses as if she stepped out of a fashion magazine but on Friday she was wearing a simple white blouse and plain white shorts. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail.

The glamorous Nikki Newman was very obviously wearing a long blonde wig that was not the color of her natural hair. Nikki also was wearing a jacket with simple patterns which along with the toned down make up had her looking less regal than usual. Eric Braeden who portrays Victor had allowed his hair and beard to grow out and expose more gray. Sharon was wearing a plain white top which was not something her character had previously worn and Nick and Adam’s hair was a little disheavled. Both men were dressed down in TShirts but they looked good, just different. Jack’s suit clearly was not the brand that he had previously been provided by the wardrobe dept. Amanda and Phyllis were lovely was ever but were wearing less makeup than usual. Their hair however looked about the same as usual.

The only reason I was able to observe the differences is because I had read in various articles that they were coming. The changes are subtle and many may not even catch them. Some viewers may notice that something is amiss but not realize what it is. Others may not have even paid attention at all. I found it fun to take note of how the cast was taking charge and rolling with the punches of the coronavirus. Kudos to everyone of the actors on all the soaps for being team players and doing what’s needed so they could go on with the show.