Now that we’re entering month three of quarantine, our readers seem to be keeping up with their shelter-in-place shopping habits. In first and second place are non-medical fabric masks for the second time in a row. But since we’re cooped up for an indefinite amount of time, it seems like readers still want to make their homes as pleasant as possible, with purchases of vacuums and odor-eliminating litter box pellets that actually neutralize the scent, not just mask it. People also want a better night’s sleep, so they’re buying up our best-selling side-sleeper pillow and top-rated blue-light glasses to use. And speaking of justifiable purchases, people need some way to reduce stress, so it’s no surprise that our favorite heated back and neck massager (which also makes an excellent gift) is back again. We’re also cooking much more, which is why we’re seeing a beginner-friendly olive oil on the list for the first time. Then, closing out the list, we have a dermatologist-recommended sunscreen, and an “idiot-proof” self-tanner, just in case you’re sick of your quarantine paleness.
Even as certain areas start to open up again, many states and cities require that people wear masks when leaving their house. We’ve been keeping a running list of a few dozen (actually stylish) masks from different brands, but readers seem to really love these Buck Mason masks, since this is the second month in a row they’ve hit our number one spot. The cotton masks feature an anti-microbial coating on the inner layer that will last up to 30 washes, and the thick material passes the light test, which means you can’t see sunlight through it and is a good indicator that they’re safe to wear. You get five masks for only $20 — and while you don’t get to pick your color, they’re all pretty neutral, so they can easily blend into just about everyone’s style.
And in second place, another mask. Not only does this appear on our big list of cloth masks to buy, our resident cool guy Chris Black even recommends them because “They’re no frills, do the job, and come in lots of different colors and prints so you can express yourself while going to the grocery store.” They’re not as luxe as the St. John or Collina Strada masks he recommends, but they’re certainly much cheaper and look just as nice, available in 40 different colors and patterns for every taste. Plus, they feature an adjustable nose, so they can fit snugly to your face.
Sure, you could probably have the family member or roommate or romantic partner who’s been quarantining with you give you a massage, but nothing really compares to an on-demand Shiatsu massage. This Zyllion heated massager showed up on our best-sellers list last month at number six, even more people seem to be craving a good back rub this month because it’s back in our number three spot. The massager ranks as our best-rated electric back massager on Amazon, because it’s apparently just as good as “a professional massage therapist,” according to one reviewer, and it has appeared on a couple of our gift guides, including our gift guide for nurses.
This is the first time this olive oil has popped up on our list, most likely because everyone is cooking a whole lot more right now. And whether you’re just getting into cooking during quarantine, or feel like a seasoned pro, chefs and some very enthusiastic olive oil lovers tell us this option from California Olive Ranch beats out the fancy, trendier oils. It’s “affordable, versatile, and available in three different flavors for everyday use,” as well as “dependable,” making it great for everyone to use.
Sorry, there’s not much we can do for you when it comes to getting more sun (and a real tan), but we can definitely help you fake it. Our beauty writer Rio Viera-Newton recommended a few luxury self-tanners last month, if you’re a seasoned self-tanner, but our readers seem to be loyal to our best-rated Amazon pick, which is making its second appearance on this list of bestsellers. Reviewers love it because it “goes on evenly and sinks into the skin quickly,” according to one customer, but also because it’s pretty “idiot-proof.” But even if you do mess it up, no one will see you any time soon, so consider it a blessing in disguise.
Since you’re spending all day in your apartment, the last thing you want is to smell your cat’s litter box. Contributor Julia Kramer bought this after many failed attempts at neutralizing the odor from her two cats. She says this product “seems to absorb odors rather than mask them; when I use it, the litter box smells more like nothing than anything.” Since this is brand new to our list, perhaps our readers wanted a quarantine buddy and decided to finally adopt a cat, or they’re just true cat people looking for a better solution to keep their multi-cat home smelling fresh.
Is anyone sleeping well right now? Probably not, but seems like our side-sleeping readers are at least trying to get a better night sleep. This pillow has been on our best-sellers list 32 different times because it’s described as having a “firm, satisfying spring,” which makes sleeping on your side particularly enjoyable.
Even in quarantine, sunscreen is still important, and if you don’t wear it, you can expect to have a pretty gnarly mask tan line. This long-time Strategist favorite comes recommended as the best sunscreen for your face because it’s “lightweight and oil free, so it won’t clog pores” and the formula contains lactic acid, “which will gently exfoliate the skin and regulate sebum buildup.”
With work, workouts, hangouts with friends, and more all on the computer, it’s no surprise readers are concerned about how blue-light affects their eyes. Blue-light from screens has been said to dry your eyes out, making them itchy, red and irritated, and it can also disrupt your natural sleep patterns. Though you shouldn’t wear them 24/7, these best-rated blue-light blocking glasses, which are on our best-sellers list for the second time, are comfortable enough to wear while reading in bed yet still attractive enough to wear on a work call.
Rounding out our list of best sellers for the second time is our best-rated vacuum, according to Amazon reviewers, because our homes have essentially become our office, gym, and bedroom all in one, those tiny messes that never fully bothered you (or, enough to do anything about it) probably have become much more apparent. Not only does it pick up everything on carpet, hardwood floors, even tile, but it’s also lightweight, so cleaning might not be so bad after all.
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