11 Things I Bought In Quarantine That I Now Can't Live Without

Just some honest reviews of things I love.

1. This gua sha facial massager that helps relieve muscle tension.

Farrah Penn / BuzzFeed, Amazon

Why I love it: I know what you're thinking and yes, this was a TikTok purchase. Without getting into boring detail, I have a lot of jaw pain and I read that gua shas might help relieve tension in the muscles. They're also said to promote circulation, help with lymphatic drainage, and release fascia, which is connective tissue. While it's not a cure for my pain, it helps me start my day by relaxing my facial and jaw muscles. And who doesn't want to start their day with a little face massage? (PS, this is the facial oil I use with the gua sha.)

You can get this Ollimy gua sha for $12.99 on Amazon.

2. The SoundBot is now my water-resistant way of controlling and playing music in the shower.

Farrah Penn / BuzzFeed, Amazon

Why I love it: Are you ever reading a BuzzFeed product post and the next second you're buying something? Same. This was one of those purchases. I hate that I can't control the volume of my music when I'm in the shower, and I also hate that I can't skip songs. The SoundBot fixes that. The only downside is that I could not for the life of me get it to stick to my shower wall, but I guess that's what I get for buying the cheapest one. The sound quality isn't mind-blowing, but it's still super enjoyable for a relaxing shower.

Get the SoundBot from Amazon for $16.99 (available in five colors).

3. Seed — a daily probiotic to help gut health and digestive support — really went above and beyond what I expected.

Farrah Penn / BuzzFeed, Seed

Why I love it: Back in January, when we had no idea what 2020 was about to hit us with, I decided to splurge on one thing that would be ~good for me~. I was looking for something to help with bloating (so fun), and a friend of mine had raved about Seed. While the tiny probiotics improved my gut health (💩teehee) and energy, they didn't really help with bloating — but that's okay. I still love the overall benefits. For example, my skin is the best it's been ever, and I can feel the difference in my gut health. Their packaging is recyclable and compostable, and unlike other probiotics, you don't need to refrigerate these because of the insulation technology used. Ten months later, I 100% don't regret the splurge.

You can get Seed probiotics for $49.99 a month.

4. This stationary bike for apartment-friendly indoor cardio when outside is just bad news.

Farrah Penn / BuzzFeed, Amazon

Why I love it: When the fires were at their worst in Los Angeles this year, it was devastating. It also made doing anything outside impossible because of the hazardous air quality. With COVID still prevalent, I don't have a gym membership anymore and had been using the great outdoors as exercise. After some googling, I found a stationary bike that is perfect for apartments. It's not heavy and it folds up nicely in the closet of my one-bedroom place. Also? It's *really* quiet and was not difficult to put together on my own. It goes up to an 8 in resistance, whatever that means, but I never go that high because it is NO JOKE. After about an hour of riding, I'm usually soaked in sweat. I'm definitely not mad I bought it because it's a great way to get in cardio at home!

You can get the Exerpeutic Folding Bike for $179 from Amazon.

5. A vitamin subscription from HUM Nutrition that allows me to build my own box of vitamins that I need.

Farrah Penn / BuzzFeed, HUM Nutrition

Why I love it: When we were well into the pandemic back in late April, I decided that I wanted to start taking vitamins for ~immunity~. I eat a lot of greens and protein to get vitamins naturally, but I wanted to add some that maybe I needed more of, which is how I ended up subscribing to Hum. Each month, I get my vitamin D, omega 3, and biotin in a neat little box that lasts 30 days. Remember how earlier I said my skin is the best it's ever been in my life? I really believe it's partially because of these specific vitamins too. I have seen a huge difference in my nails by taking the biotin, and this is coming from someone who used to have WEAK nails. My box comes to around $45 a month, but Hum includes a little gift with every box *and* a free sample of a vitamin that you might want to try. Again, I don't know why I didn't jump on doing this sooner.

You can get your HUM Nutrition box starting at $9.99.

6. This CBD oil by Bloom Farms that has been the only thing that's helped me get a full night of good sleep.

Farrah Penn / BuzzFeed, Bloom Farms

Why I love it: Anyone else not sleeping well at all this year? I was taking melatonin, but I kept waking up and getting what felt like shallow sleep. It was awful. Then I was recommended Bloom Farms CBD called "Dream." To be transparent, I was sent a sample. It's on the pricey side, but I only take .25 mg and it's lasted me for months, giving me the best sleep I've had this year. It's like you can physically feel your muscles and body relaxing. It also has CBN in it, which sets it apart from other CBD oils. And, yes, I stay asleep all night. So if you're at your wits end with getting terrible sleep right now, I definitely think it's worth trying.

You can get Bloom Farms CBD "Dream" for $95.

7. This hyaluronic acid + serum and toner from Yeouth that has done wonders for my skin.

Farrah Penn / BuzzFeed

Why I love it: To add to my endless "my skin is having its year" ranting, hyaluronic acid has changed the game for me in the last few months. I've cut out a lot of products that weren't doing much, minimizing my everyday routine to only my CeraVe lotion, sunscreen, and hyaluronic acid. I could visibly see a plumper, more hydrated difference when I started using Yeouth's HA with vitamin C Serum in combination with their toner. While, yes, this was a product that was sent to me, I already know I'm going to buy more when I run out because I do very much love the glowing results.

Get Yeouth's Hyaluronic Acid + Serum for $29.95 and the Balancing Facial Toner for $15.94 from Amazon.

8. The Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% Brightening Formula from The Ordinary that made me notice a visible difference in my skin.

Farrah Penn / BuzzFeed

Why I love it: The Ordinary has a ton of products that people constantly rave about, but the one I stand by is their Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%, which is essentially a brightening formula. I use this once or twice a week to fade dark marks or acne scars, and let me tell you I have *seen* a difference. I feel like I wake up and my skin has improved in tone and texture overnight. Plus, it's pretty inexpensive, so it's worth a shot if you've been considering it.

Get The Ordinary's Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% from Sephora for $7.90.

9. These super, super comfortable seamless ribbed bralettes from Urban Outfitters that I've been living in all through quarantine.

Urban Outfitters, Farrah Penn / BuzzFeed

Why I love it: Let me introduce you to the only thing I've been wearing this summer. These seamless ribbed bralettes are so incredibly cozy that you'll never want to go back to wearing a real bra. For $18, I consider them on the more expensive side for what it is, but I have three and I 100% don't regret buying them. I honestly want to buy more, but I need to control myself. They're soft, they fit extremely well, and they have a lot of fun colors. It's worth it.

Get the seamless ribbed bras from Urban Outfitters for $18 (available in sizes S- XL and eight colors).

10. This non-greasy, matte sunscreen from Supergoop that is honestly the best sunscreen I've ever used.

Farrah Penn / BuzzFeed

Why I love it: Have you ever been like, I'm so mad this product works so well because it's kinda pricey? Same. It's why I'll never buy another facial sunscreen other than Supergoop's matte sunscreen. It's not oily! Or greasy! It doesn't clog pores! It goes on beautifully and is matte *perfection.* You will not even remember that you're wearing sunscreen, I promise. The good thing is that even though this is small, I can make it last for about six months to get my money's worth.

Get Supergoop's Mattescreen SPF 40 from Sephora for $38.

11. And finally, this extremely cozy gravity blanket that will ease your stress.

Gravity Blankets, Farrah Penn / BuzzFeed

Why I love it: I had to put my weighted blanket away for the summer because I became a pool of sweat, but this is the *best thing* to have during fall and winter. Yeah, you've heard of weighted blankets by now, but I swear by the gravity blanket. I honestly look forward to the best sleep I'll ever have this fall by taking the Bloom Farms CBD and sleeping under this blanket. You feel cozy and safe, like it's hugging away your stress. I'm personally comforted by it and can't believe I lasted most of 2019 without one. Is it expensive for one blanket? Yes. Will you get years of use and comfort out of it? Also yes. (And for the sake of transparency, this was also a product sent to me for review, but I absolutely swear by it.)

Get the gravity blanket from Gravity for $189.

Note: While a few companies on here sent me products free of charge, I was in no way obligated to write about them. However, I ended up loving them so much that it lead me to buying more. Do with that what you will!