Back-to-school season is in full effect and even though I’m not part of the thousands going back to school this semester, I’d still like to share some of my favorite beauty products for back-to-school. I’m talking beauty holy grails of all holy grails.
Unlike most people, my college career spanned 6 years. I started college at 19 (part-time) then I decided I needed another semester off and went back at 20, part-time again, but this time had a little more clarity of what I wanted to do. Then, at 23 I completely relocated to So-Cal from Nor-Cal to finish my bachelor’s degree and 3 years later I graduated at 26.
Anywho, my reason for sharing this is
1. It’s never too late to start you education or career
2. I know a thing or two about college, the stress, and general back-to-school jitters that come with the whole college experience. Especially if you go to a commuter school where it’s harder to meet people.
When it comes to shopping for back-to-school beauty, or beauty products in general, I like them to be effective and affordable. Ain’t nobody got time to spend a ton of money on crappy products.
Yes, sometimes I splurge but let’s be honest if you’re in school, you pretty much have to decide to buy your textbooks (or rent them) vs buying the latest beauty products.
If you’re getting ready to go back to school, whether its high school or college, here are some of my FAVORITE back-to-school beauty products that have yet to let me down!
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Make – Up
Just because you have classes back to back from 8 am – 3 pm doesn’t mean you have to go to school looking like a bum.
Even though I’m guilty of doing just that from time to time, I learned that not only did I feel better about myself when I wore a little make-up, I also felt more confident when I answered questions out loud. (I hate speaking out loud in class. I feel like everyone stares at me weird, I know.)
Here are some of my go-to’s when in a rush:
Foundation – Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Liquid Foundation or Halo Glow
Mascara – Maybelline Great Lash Mascara or L’Oréal Voluminous Original Mascara
Eyeliner – Wet n Wild MegaLiner Liquid Eyeliner or Revlon Liquid Eyeliner
Brows – NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Fill & Fluff Eyebrow Pomade Pencil or Milani Stay Put Brow Color
Concealer – Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circle Treatment Concealer
Mascara – Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara
Eye Liner – Stay Put Matte 17HR Wear Liquid Eyeliner
Skin Care
While I didn’t really get into skincare in my early college years, after I transferred schools and the work got a little harder I started noticing things I was unhappy with.
My eye bags were more prominent, my skin was a lot duller, I just looked rough for a lack of a better word lol A part-time job, full-time class load and an internship can do that to a girl. Plus I’m sure the all-nighters and coffee binges weren’t helping.
Luckily I noticed these things around 25, the age when you’re supposed to start taking EXTRA care of your skin, so I did.
I had NO IDEA what to do when it came to skincare at first, so I started with the basics.
Since then, my skincare routine has definitely developed (check out my guide to getting clear skin here), but when you’re still young and broke, these products will do the job!
Cleanser – The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser
Moisturizer – SuperHydrate Moisturizer
Hair Care
I didn’t start coloring my hair crazy colors until after I graduated college (that shit is expensive to maintain lol.) Still, hair care items are a must when you’re busy running around from class to class.
Here’s a list of everything I used to help me look a lot more put together than I felt during my college days.
Bobby Pins – Kitsch Black Bobby Pin Set 45 Count
Hair Ties – Rutched Ribbon Scrunchies
Straightener – Revlon Salon Straightening and Curling Copper 1” Flat Iron (it’s not high end but it sure saves the day)
Hair Oil / Serum – OGX Renewing Argan Oil Of Morocco Weightless Healing Dry Oil
Dry Shampoo – Not Your Mother’s Clean Freak Dry Shampoo
When you’re in school, saving money is a must! That’s why I shop at ULTA, not only have I found some fantastic products at affordable prices, they have a 60-day return policy! SIXTY DAYS!
Trust me, I’ve taken fair advantage of it too!
If you’re curious about a beauty product but it makes you break out or you just don’t like it, this policy has your back.
School is hard, shopping for beauty products shouldn’t have to be! That’s why I’m giving a lucky reader a $25 gift card to ULTA!!!
Treat yourself to some new back-to-school beauty products on my dime!
To enter, click on the widget below and follow the prompts.
What are some of your favorite back-to-school beauty products?
Thank you for reading and Good luck babes!
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fav back to school beauty product would be Too Faced Unicorn Tear Mystical Highlighter Drops… just a little goes a long way!
I love e.l.f. and Nyx because, in addition to being affordable, they are also cruelty-free with lots of (or all) vegan products!
Yes!! Two of my fav affordable brands because of that!
I don’t really have any favorites… I love trying new brands as often as I can and it’s fun for me to find new brands through subscription boxes, too.
I’ve yet to try a subscription box. I’ve read that Target has a good one for affordable products though
My favorites are hair ties and moisturizer for face, body, and hair.
Can’t go wrong with the basics!
I love the Yes to Tomatoes face bar, Dickinson’s face toner and argan oil for my face.
YES!! So simple but effective!
I need my stila eyeliner and falsies mascara! And of course, chapstick is a must!
haven’t tries stila yet but I will now! I’m always looking for a good eyeliner
All the products sound wonderful! Love the Great Lash Mascara!
Great Lash is literally a life saver when you’e on a budget!
My favorite beauty product is biosilk. I use it for my hair and skin.
definitely a good product!
VO5 shampoo
I used to use that and Suave when I was in college! Haha Since my hair is dyed now I use fancier shampoos for color treated hair
My favorite low-cost product is ChapStick, but for my eyebrows instead of my lips.
OOooooo that’s a nice beauty hack! I’ll have to give it a try
My favorite back to school beauty products are neutrogena moisturizer, covergirl Primer and wet and wild liquid lip
I love all of those! Wet n Wild Liquid Lips are also underrated!
Neutrogena all the way
I agree!! They never let me down, especially with having dry skin
my favorite beauty product is no7 airbrsuh away foundation and aveeno moisturizer
I used to love aveeno in high school lol
I really like Mac mascara and the nude eye palette. I really like a natural look though with makeup.
Never tried the MAC mascara but I agree, a natural look is the way to go!
Definitely EOS Lavender wipes. They are refreshing and sanitizing and perfect in a lunch box or bag!!
Mac mascara is my favorite
I like a good face scrub that renews but moisturizes. New year, fresh face. 🙂 Thanks!
Lip gloss and ELF products because they are affordable.
SPF
Lip Moisturizer
Dove dry shampoo! Keeps my hair fresh and full even when I’m busy with school 🙂
I like to buy a new lip balm at the beginning of the school year that I can just keep in my backpack at all times. This year I bought the Nivea rose-flavoured one 🙂
I’ve been loving the modern renaissance palette lately for quick eyeshadow looks!
I love Pixi and ELF
Hydrating spray and an all in one lip and cheek balm for easy touch ups. Heck, in a pinch, that last can even be eyeshadow.
Favorite back to school beauty product is a nice basic lip balm. It’s simple but can make your lips look amazing when kept healthy. 🙂
I like to buy Philosophy skin care products.
Skin care like cleanser, toner and moisturizer. Oh yeah and acne treatment.
Never tried FitMe but would love to try it. I’ve tried make up with Elf and Dior I love the spray foundation. Doesn’t make me break out.
My favorite is Burt Bees lip gloss and OPI Nail Polish
Pink lip gloss, mascara and tarte blush
I have to have my moisturizer, sunblock and lip gloss.
My favorites are IT CC+ foundation and great lip balm – currently loving Dr. Haushka lip care stick.
I like the concealer and mascara.
Maybelline reminds me of college for some reason. But I still use their products. Fit Me is just a holy grail for my face.
Same here!!! Lol the FitMe powder and foundation are my go tos