As beauty editors, we have the privilege or testing SO MANY BEAUTY PRODUCTS; seriously, probably thousands if you’re working at one of the major publications. And so, with COVID fully upon us, we wanted to chat with 13 beauty editors to see exactly which of the hair and makeup products have been making the cut, even during the quarantine.
Heather Muir, Beauty Director at Health and Real Simple
Beauty is super personal. For some people, doing their skincare, makeup, and hair care routines offers a sense of normalcy and is a form of much-needed self-care. For others, quarantine has served as a nice break from having to put on a full face and re-evaluate time and priorities. I went from always getting super glam to embracing my makeup-free freckles and curls (though about once a month, it does feel good to get ready; and I still really love my lash extensions). When it comes to beauty, I think doing whatever makes you feel happy is best.
MAKEUP
It’s more of a skincare product, but Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Water has gotten me through quarantine. I mist it onto my face post-cleansing, and in a few hours, it gives me a streak-free, believable glow. Even when I don’t have a stitch of makeup on, the bronzy color makes me feel pretty and helps distract me from any maskne going on. As for straight-up makeup, a dab of IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream cuts redness, evens out my skin tone, and hides any lingering zits.
HAIR
Scrunchies! Now that I’m spending a lot less time in the salon getting my once-weekly blowout, I live in messy top knots. I love Slip — they are cute and functional, and neither leave a dent in my hair or give me a headache.
Kristin Corpuz, Allure Social Editor
I’ve been back and forth on beauty during COVID. At first, I completely scaled back my routine: I was just cleansing when I needed to (usually after heavily sweating) and moisturized with lightweight face oil. But as COVID life has become the “new normal,” I’ve eased myself back into a regular beauty routine. I still spend most of my days makeup-less, but I re-upped my Drybar membership and have gotten my nails done a few times. I think it’s nice to feel pampered, especially in times like these, and while things won’t go totally back to normal for a while, having control over one part of my life that makes me feel strong and beautiful has had a great impact on my mental health.
MAKEUP
This is sort of a makeup-skincare hybrid product, but the Victoria Beckham Beauty Cell Rejuvenating Priming Moisturizer in Gold has been a go-to during the quarantine. What I love about it is that I can use it on no-makeup days as a highlighter or all-over face product for a little extra glow — I need all the help I can get these days — and I’ll also use it under foundation for a boost of radiance. It’s lightweight and has the benefits of skincare, so I never feel like it’s an added layer of product on my skin, which is an absolute must for a scaled-back makeup routine.
HAIR
Dry shampoo! My favorite is R+Co’s Death Valley — it’s lightweight and gives my hair volume and a touch of texture without becoming gritty or Troll doll-like. It also rubs easily into my dark hair so I don’t have to worry about a white cast. It’s one of the few dry shampoos that really works well for my fine, ultra-straight hair and I will always have a bottle on hand.
Claire Sullivan, Associate Editor at Martha Stewart Living
Within weeks of the shutdown, I had more friends and family members reach out for beauty advice than ever before. I love that everyone is taking the time to take care of themselves, and that’s what beauty is all about! I’ve noticed a major uptick in skincare interest. We may not need a full face of makeup, but a skincare routine is a self-care routine; there’s nothing like a great cleanser to make you feel refreshed and ready to take on the day — or wind down from it!
MAKEUP
I’m a natural blonde, so my eyebrows are non-existent without a little help. No matter if I’m doing a full look or skipping the rest of my pre-pandemic makeup routine, my brows are the one thing I do every single day. I reach for Marc Jacobs Beauty Brow Wow Duo; I use the spoolie to comb my brows forward and back then fill in with the pencil. I used to swear by mascara every day, but I’ve discovered that nothing wakes up my face like defined arches.
HAIR
Before the world shut down, I’d blow-dry my hair every time I washed it. But I went the entire summer without touching a hot tool, and my hair has never felt healthier. I’ve gotten back in the groove of blow-drying lately (and I must admit, it feels good to have sleek hair again) but I have renewed focus on keeping my typically dry strands well hydrated with a leave-in conditioner. I use Moroccan Oil’s new formula whether I’m airdrying or heat styling, and it seals my split ends and prevents frizz like no other.
Andrea Lavinthal, Style & Beauty Director at PEOPLE
I went beauty feral for the first few months of COVID because my kids and I were living with my parents and dealing with everything going so and I just didn’t have it in me to pay attention to my appearance. I think I used a Dove bar head to toe and that was it. But at some point, I remembered how much better I feel when I can look in the mirror without cringing, so I started applying a bit of makeup and putting some effort into my hair again. Plus, I think I was scaring my kids.
MAKEUP
My eyelash curler and mascara Honest Beauty, Extreme Lenght 2-in-1 Mascara and Lash Primer. Some people can’t function until they have their morning coffee. I’m like that, but with my lashes.
HAIR
Garnier Fructis Style Curl Treat Jelly. I discovered it while testing products for our annual drugstore beauty awards a few years ago and have been using it ever since (it comes in a Costco-sized tub). It’s particularly good for air-drying fine, frizzy hair like mine, which needs a lightweight gel for definition and just the tiniest amount of crunch.
Jenny Jin, Beauty Director at PureWow.com
Honestly, I’ve found that having a simple beauty routine during this time has been grounding for me. Like my daily cup of coffee each morning, it’s one thing that anchors me in the present moment and there’s an almost meditative quality to, say, applying moisturizer to your face and body. On the whole, I spend less time doing my hair and makeup and have put more love into taking care of my skin. When I do occasionally wear makeup, I’m more open to trying new things. I’ve also really enjoyed painting my nails and have become fairly proficient at it through many months of practice this year.
MAKEUP
I use some form of tinted lip oil or balm every single day, and, depending on the formula, I will also use it on my cheeks as blush. Some standouts I’ve loved and used this year include Henne Organics Luxury Lip Tint in Azalea (it’s the perfect flush of pink that brightens my face whenever I wear it), Ilia Balmy Gloss Tinted Lip Oil in Tahiti (it has the most satisfying slip and shine to it) and Lisa Eldridge lipsticks and glosses (which all have great pigmentation and textures).
HAIR
Oof, that’s a toss-up between the Leonor Greyl Eclat Naturel styling cream, which is one of very few products I’ve tried that successfully tames my coarse, puffy hair and the Ouai Super Dry Shampoo, which admittedly smells a tad too perfume-y for me at times, but is absolutely brilliant at absorbing oil and adding volume to limp roots. (They really weren’t kidding about the “super dry” part.)
Brian Underwood, Beauty Director at Oprah Magazine
Right now, I think ANY routine that makes us feel more whole, more human is a good thing. For me, skincare has been that refuge. I have stuck to my morning and evening routine religiously during the quarantine. It provides a nice punctuation point for the beginning and end of my days (since they blend together so easily right now) and helps me feel somewhat “normal” again.
MAKEUP
The Trinny London BFF Cream SPF 30 is basically my entire “Zoomface” in a bottle. It’s a subtly tinted moisturizer that perks up my skin and evens its tone. With so much work happening virtually, this product has become my go-to.
HAIR
I love a good smoothing serum, pre- and post-COVID. On the days I actually get out of my bathrobe and in front of my computer for a Teams Meeting or Zoom (there have been a few) and I have to blow-dry my hair, I’ll apply to get a somewhat coiffed mop. My go-to is the Seen Hair Care Blowout Cream.
Erica Metzger, Beauty & Fashion Director at Better Homes & Gardens
COVID is creating lots of so many new challenges to solve: breakouts from mask-wearing, hair thinning from stress, how to do makeup for virtual meetings, which kind of turns your regular routine on its head and forces you to switch things up. And everything has changed so much — we’re traveling less, missing friends and family, stuck indoors — so our beauty routine offers a way to maintain some normalcy in our day. I’ve personally noticed how something as small as a face mask or taking a hot bath with nice bath salts is like a mini escape and lets you decompress a bit during the chaos.
MAKEUP
Sorry, this isn’t original BUT it’s true! Concealer. I was born with dark circles so it always makes a huge difference for my eye, especially as I’ve gotten older. Two current faves if you want me to name drop, the Pat McGrath’s one is excellent, tons of coverage and creamy enough to blend and not settle into line (we gave recently gave it a beauty award for BH&G Life in Color 2020 Beauty Awards).
Also, the newest one I’m loving is By Mario Eye Prep & Step because it has two shades so you can color correct a bit and also a powder to set it. Sounds like a lot of steps but I’m spending more time on my eyes than anything else because of masks.”
HAIR
I like getting as much texture as I can out of my fine, slightly wavy hair. I always start with an Aquis hair turban post-shower. Then I scrunch my hair with a wave-enhancing cream and let it do its thing, which usually works out! One fave right now is the Zero Heat Air Dry Styling Cream for Fine/Medium hair from Joico.
April Franzino, Beauty Director at Good Housekeeping, Woman’s Day and Prevention
I think it’s important to take time to care for yourself, especially during stressful times, whether
it’s a few minutes for a quick bath soak, sticking on a soothing eye mask while you work, the
ritual of putting on a bright lipstick to make yourself feel pulled together, massaging in a nice
face oil before bed, or even just spritzing on your favorite perfume to lift your spirits. It doesn’t
have to be a big, time-consuming thing to make a big difference in bringing a bit of peace and
relaxation into your day.
MAKEUP
I actually use almost all my go-to makeup since I am on Zoom calls nearly all day every day. For
when I’m out and about, eye makeup like concealer, some sort of brightening eye shadow or
liner, and mascara is super important since eyes are seen above the mask. And under the mask,
a long-wear lip color (or sheer tint) so I don’t have to worry about the transfer. The Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Treatment Concealer is a Good Housekeeping Beauty Lab test winner and also one of my all-time favorites—I love that it’s two-in-one, with a sponge applicator that feels so plush on the skin and a finish that hides anything without feeling dry or makeup-y.
HAIR
Deep treatment masks to soften my frazzled ends! I’ve tried countless hair masks on my damaged strands and Redken All Soft Mega Mask really works—it makes hair as soft as a baby’s in one use.
Christina Heiser, freelance beauty writer
Like a lot of women, I’ve really pared down my beauty routine during COVID, which has actually been pretty freeing. I’ve enjoyed letting my skin breathe by skipping makeup, and my hair feels so much healthier now that I’m not blow-drying it all the time. Even when life goes back to “normal,” I’ll probably stick to my pared-down routine because it’s so much less of a time commitment.
MAKEUP
I’ve consistently been wearing mascara these last few months during the quarantine. (My fave is this one from Glossier.) Mascara helps me feel a little more put together even though I spend most of my time in sweats. When I do go out, I like to add an extra coat or two to emphasize my eyes since the rest of my face is covered by my mask.
HAIR
I stopped using heat tools during quarantine and have instead been rocking my natural waves for the past few months. To enhance my hair’s natural texture, I rely on sea salt spray, which I spritz onto damp hair after its air-dried for a while. (This one from Bumble & bumble is my go-to.)
Kayla Greaves, Senior Beauty Editor at InStyle.com
Having a beauty routine is important whether people are seeing you or not. Mask-wearing has left a lot of people with clogged pores and breakouts, so we really need to focus on keeping our skin clean and nourished. Aside from our face, we’re using a lot of alcohol-based sanitizers and heavy disinfectants and it’s doing a number to our hands and nails, so we need to be more diligent about looking after the rest of our body as well. Also, having a beauty ritual makes so many of us feel good, and we all need a little goodness right now.
MAKEUP
Pat McGrath Labs Dark Star Volumizing Mascara. It is hands down one of the best—if not the best—mascara I’ve ever used. One to two coats gets you beautiful, voluminous, long lashes and it doesn’t flake off after hours of wear or ever feel heavy. Once you get your hands on this one, you probably won’t need to reach for falsies again — it’s that good.
HAIR
Miss Jessie’s Leave-in Condish. I’ve been using this product consistently for at least six years and my hair loves it. It also has a really beautiful clean scent that makes the long hours of wash day so worth it. I’ve tried other leave-ins, but I always go back to this gem.
Ruby Buddemeyer, Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan
Since I’m no longer going into my office every day, I’ve definitely pared back my beauty routine a lot. That said, testing and trying new products is very much still a part of my job, so I’ve been leaning into new formulas that help enhance or define my look without feeling too heavy or overbearing. I’m going for comfort these days, and it’s been fun to find products that help me get there.
MAKEUP
I’ve been keeping it pretty lowkey with my beauty routine lately, so I’ve traded my full-coverage foundations and concealers for CoverFX’s Luminous Tinted Moisturizer. I like to blend a dime-sized amount over clean, moisturized skin, and it leaves me with a lightweight, glow-y finish that lasts through a long day of Zoom meetings.
HAIR
One positive to come out of COVID: I took a break from my usual styling products (think: leave-in sprays and texturizing mists) and discovered this genius cream from Sachajuan. I like to work a teeny dollop through my ends (hot tip: a little goes a long way) to define and enhance my natural waves. It never leaves me with a crunchy finish—just soft texture with the perfect amount of volume.
Kate Sandoval Box, Beauty Director at Shape, Parents, and Parents Latina
I think many of us went full sweats-and-no shower minimalist at first. But that’s worn off. Quarantine gave us a chance to remember and assess why we have beauty routines—it proved to so many of us that we do it for ourselves. For me, I want healthy skin and hair and I enjoy the mental boost I get from both the fun of applying products and how I look in the mirror when I’m finished.
MAKEUP
Blush—specifically cream blush. It’s the difference between me looking tired and alive. If I have time to apply just one product before a Zoom, it’s Ilia Multi-Stick in I Put a Spell on You. I tap it a bunch of times on my cheeks (swear you can’t apply too much) and on my lips, too. I’ll add some more for afternoon video sessions.
HAIR
I went without a haircut for close to a year thanks to quarantine life and my hair grew looooong. The bottom half was dead-dead (hair is always dead, of course, but this hair was truly lifeless). So I started using a lamellar water treatment called Redken Extreme Bleach Recovery Lamellar Water. This technology targets and repairs only the damaged parts of the hair strands, so it really doesn’t weigh them down and — the best part — it works in seconds. I have two little kids and no time for fifteen-minute hair masks.
Stephanie Saltzman, Beauty Director at Fashionista.com
I know a lot of people have found a sense of calm by bringing more intention to their beauty routines during quarantine, and I think that’s great. Right now there’s just so little we have control over in the world, so if claiming a bit of ownership over our skin, hair or wellness routines can bring a sense of solace, that’s really wonderful. I also know a lot of people who have experimented with new DIY treatments or used the opportunity to transition to their natural hair textures, and I think that speaks to the way beauty routines can serve as a helpful escape and act of self-love during difficult times. When the world around us is unpredictable and filled with trauma, it’s all the more important for those of us who have the privilege of time, health and safety at this moment to take advantage of that — being able to claim a little slice of time and attention for our own wellbeing as so many struggle is a gift that shouldn’t be put to waste.
MAKEUP
Mascara, specifically Glossier Lash Slick. It’s the one thing that makes me look a little more awake and human, especially if I’m hopping on a Zoom call, and it takes about 3 seconds to swipe on.
HAIR
Dry shampoo. [Favorite: Ouai x Byredo Dry Shampoo]. Like (I’d guess) most people, my hair routine has been really pared down, so it’s all about making things easier, quicker and lower-maintenance. Dry shampoo has basically been my quarantine BFF.
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