Quarantine Chronicles: The Beauty Products We Can't Live Without

Erika: I'm addicted to chapstick, and one of my go-to choices is Burt's Bees tinted lip balm in Red Dahlia. It adds just a hint of color, so it's perfect for helping me look more awake and pulled together.

Nicole: For my self care Sundays, I love doing a beauty mask on my face. Right now I am loving Miranda Kerr's KORA Organics Turmeric Brightening Treatment Mask. The exfoliating particles do not feel harsh, and it dries on my skin in about 10 minutes without getting overly tight or irritating. When I wash it off, my face looks brighter and feels clean and silky smooth.

Ellen: The only makeup I've been wearing on a consistent basis is nude lip gloss and eyebrow tint. I cannot live without my TARTE Sketch & Set™ Brow Pencil and Tinted Gel.

Allison: The product that wasn't able to live without before quarantine, and the one that truly saves me daily, is HBL Hair Treatment Oil. My hair is naturally a mix of waves, loose curls, or straight frizz depending on the amount of humidity in the air. Since I'm certainly not taking the time to straighten my hair now (it needed a break anyway), this miracle oil is a must before drying my hair. It calms the frizz and helps restore some natural shine, and can double as a quick morning fix for a really bad hair day.

Jordan: Well because I'm not around people because of the COVID-19 situation I've been testing out natural deodorants with varying degrees of success. Natural deodorants tend to use baking soda which can turn your pits dark, especially if you have a darker complexion. Native Deodorant's line of sensitive skin deodorants and Lume's natural deodorant are great baking soda free option. Lume's lasts particularly long and has a nice dry feeling. Not confirming that I've done this but word on the street is that you could go for two days and still be BO free. Ursa Major Hoppin' Fresh deodorant does list baking soda as an ingredient but hasn't made my pits go dark. It also feels dry and minty fresh but may require a second application later in the day.

Linsey: I’ve gone very minimalist with my skincare routine and am planning to keep it that way even after self-isolation is over. My primary skincare concerns are adult acne and rosacea; I’ve spent years (over a decade?) picking at and abusing my skin, and now is a great time to let it breathe and stop overdoing it with products, treatments, and exfoliation. My number one “product” recommendation is water. Staying better hydrated is a great start!

I have been experimenting with LED light therapy and have seen a definite improvement in my skin since I started using my Photons LED & Infrared Therapy System, a light treatment device that is super versatile—and also a pretty expensive investment (but still a bargain compared to the Celluma products I think it’s inspired by!). I’d experimented with other light therapy masks, but I have acne on my face, back, and chest, and this device can be used to treat all those areas. It’s not a face shape, and it doesn’t make you look like Jason a la Friday the 13th, either, which is a win!

Because you have to cover your eyes with little blackout goggles when you do a face treatment, it’s a great time to listen to music or a podcast, or meditate. I do a 30-minute red + blue light treatment on my face once every three days and a 30-minute red + blue light treatment on my chest once every three days as well. I haven’t experimented with the yellow light yet, but I’ll probably incorporate that into my routine in May. Since I started using the device (about two months ago), I’ve been able to go off my topical rosacea prescription and have seen (and felt!) the cystic acne I’ve had on my cheeks for a few years clearing up.

Linsey (con'd): While I’m avoiding anything abrasive, I do love a good fresh clay mask and have finally perfected “my” recipe. Both variations leverage the oat infusion I’m using instead of water, and they’re best made in a ramekin so you can prepare a single serving and don’t have to figure out what to do with the leftovers. Add the oat infusion with a dropper, which comes with the spray bottles I recommend, so you don’t get it too “watery” (classic DIY clay mask mistake!). Mixing and applying with a spreader is your best bet (of course, these are also great for spreading peanut butter, so it’s a win-win).

Recipe:

• 1 tsp NOW Solutions European Clay Powder or Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay
• 1/8 tsp matcha (I use Jade Monk Simply Matcha) or mushroom powder (I use Solaray Organic Mushroom Complete)
• Enough droper-fuls of oat infusion to achieve your desired mask consistency.
• Mix, apply, let dry, and wipe down with a damp washcloth. The oat infusion gives this mask a super smooth texture that’s just [insert the sound of sinking into a comfy poolside lounge chair here]. I like to add matcha if I’m doing it the morning (hello, caffeine) and mushroom powder if I’m doing it in the afternoon or at night.
• Note: Washing too much clay mask down your drains can have unwanted consequences. If you have a yard, you can always rinse your washcloth off in a bowl and chuck the slurry in a garden bed. Yes, I do that, and my pipes thank me for it.

For more Quarantine Chronicles, check out the articles below:

• Quarantine Chronicles: Streaming In The Time Of Corona
• Quarantine Chronicles: Get Lost In A Book
• Quarantine Chronicles: As Long As It Pairs Well With Wine
• Quarantine Chronicles: Shower Optional
• Quarantine Chronicles: Our Makeup Staples
• Quarantine Chronicles: Our Anti-Aging Magic
• Quarantine Chronicles: No Need To Wash
• Quarantine Chronicles: Overnight Skincare