Since being in quarantine (we’re celebrating our 6 month anniversary next month—yay us!) I’ve had more time on my hands than ever to experiment with all sorts of beauty products. I mean, if a product didn’t work or went wrong, it didn’t really matter since we aren’t really going anywhere. *laughs to keep from crying* Thus, I’ve been trying to use this time to experiment with different beauty products because your girl has this dream of coming out of quarantine with a serious glow up. So today I’m sharing some of my favorites that I’ve been using regularly and really enjoying. There’s a mix of drugstore and higher end products in here so something for everyone!

Beauty Products I’ve Been Loving In Quarantine

Mario Badescu Acne Starter Regimen Kit | Get it at ULTA or NORDSTROM
First off, I picked up this Acne Starter Kit in a time of desperation last month. Long story short, while I was in Tampa my skin absolutely freaked out and broke out unlike ever before. I begged my girlfriends for recommendations in the group chat and voila, enter Mario Badescu recommendations. Now, some of Mario’s products can get a little pricey so before I went all in and bought a bunch of full size products, I decided to pick up this little starter kit with travel sizes of a four-product regimen to see how it would go. And I’ve been using them daily ever since! My breakout has since cleared up and I’m proud to announce, it has not returned. Yay!

*Pro-tip: if you’re ever on the fence or nervous to drop a ton of money on new hair products or skincare, get the travel sizes first! You can find out if it’s worth the money to you, without breaking the bank.

VitaminSea.beauty Dead Sea Minerals & Vitamin C Complex Toning Skin Serum | Get it at ULTA
Remember that desperate time I mentioned earlier? Yeah well during that ULTA trip, I also randomly found this serum and decided to give it a try. It claims to balance all skin types, brighten complexion, and minimize dark spots and I have to say so far, I really like it. I gently rub three drops of this into my skin right after I wash and dry my face everyday and I think my skin has really liked it. I have a problem with acne scarring that I’m trying to fade and I want to say I can see it lightening already (it’s been about 1.5 months of use). Oh and the best part: she’s affordable! Some vitamin C serums can get pricey and this one is under 15 bucks.

CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion | Get it at ULTA or TARGET
Let me tell you guys about CeraVe. It literally saved my life last winter. Okay, that’s dramatic but truly I cannot say enough good things. I had crazy dry, itchy skin last winter (it was so bad I literally was going to the dermatologist begging for allergy tests) and the only thing that finally helped was using this CeraVe Moisturizing Cream. Note: this isn’t the same as the lotion I mentioned earlier, it’s the much thicker version. If you have sensitive, dry skin or if you just like unscented lotions I highly recommend these two from CeraVe. I use the moisturizing lotion in spring and summer when my skin isn’t freaking out, and plan to go back to the moisturizing cream for fall and winter.

Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Polish | Get it at ULTA or TARGET
Since nail salons were closed in NYC when we left for Florida in June, I had to pick up some nail polishes to do my nails on my own during our trip. I love essie’s Gel Couture polish, but since I already had so much at home, I didn’t want to get more of the same. I decided to try out this Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Polish and have to say I was impressed! It’s a simple two step system just like essie—a polish step and then a top coat. I picked up three colors (a classic red, light blue, and funky purple) and may actually get more.

Lancôme CILS BOOSTER XL Super-Enhancing Mascara Base | Get it at SEPHORA or NORDSTROM
This was actually a recommendation by another blogger, Courtney, and wow this has changed my mascara game. Think of it as a primer for your lashes. It goes on white but gets completely covered by your mascara once you apply it. For me, the Lancôme CILS BOOSTER XL Super-Enhancing Mascara Base lengthens my lashes so much and once I top it off with my mascara, they’re bomb *chef’s kiss*.

Maybelline Volum’ Express The Falsies Mascara | Get it at ULTA or TARGET
So I swear I tried this out years ago and wasn’t impressed. I don’t know if they’ve changed the formula since then or what, but it’s my new go-to mascara. I especially love it on top of that Lancôme lash primer I just talked about, and these two together has become my new holy grail lash combo. So good, and the perfect mix of high-end and drugstore products.

I’ve been having so much fun trying out new products this year and have quite a few more on my list to try. For more of my skincare favorites, check out this post or this post. Let me know if you liked this list, if you try anything I recommended, and if you’d be interested in seeing more like this! Maybe a hits and misses post where I share the products I wasn’t too fond of? Let me know in the comments or over on Instagram or Twitter as always.

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