Your class starts in 20 minutes and you're running off of four hours of sleep, a large iced coffee from Starbucks, and the desperation of trying to graduate on time but you also look kind of a mess.
It's okay, you still want to look alive but don't want to look like you tried. I get it. We all get it. Here are some of my quick tips for the busy college students who want to look good but don't have the time nor patience to beat your face for your 9 a.m. every week.
BB Cream, CC Cream, Skin Tint... whatever the kids call it these days
Sticking to the essentials is your best bet.
A good BB cream, concealer, mascara, and a highlighter will do the trick. My favorite BB cream, although it is advertised as a skin tint (whatever that means) is the Nars Velvet Matte Skin Tint. Although on the tad pricey side, this Nars skin tint also includes SPF 30 which is essential for a college student who is always outside running around to different buildings and running up and down hills.
The Nars Skin Tint is also available at Sephora, Ulta, and online. Another product I love is the CoverGirl TruBlend Matte Made Foundation available in 40 shades if the Nars Skin Tint is a little intimidating this foundation is a good start! The medium-to-full coverage is great for everyday or special occasions and the foundation dries down matte, and when set with a good powder is transfer proof!
Concealer
The next step is the concealer.
Now, this concealer I'm about to mention I just started using over the summer and haven't put it down yet.
I just wish Maybelline released darker shades of this concealer about five years ago but that's none of my business. The Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circle Treatment Concealer (fix this name, Maybelline) is my favorite! This concealer is a hit that sticks like grits!
A few swipes of this product will cover up dark circles and even out the skin under the eyes and it still looks natural. The concealer, according to Maybelline, has goji berry and haloxyl which helps erase dark circles, cover fine lines, and help with the puffiness around your eyes. Go get you a tube, get several.
Mascara
Alright, you might think this might be a little extra but hear me out.
A good mascara will really make your lashes pop and pull the overall look together. Maybelline has been making some bomb mascara longer than I've been alive, I know you remember that pink and green mascara tube in your mama's purse. It's iconic.
While the Great Lash Mascara is good, it doesn't hold a candle to the Volum' Express The Colossal Big Shot Mascara (Maybelline, you and these long names). This mascara lengthens, curls, and defines lashes all in one. Two coats of the big shot mascara and you'll look like you have on falsies (or close to it).
Eyeshadow/Highlight/Blush
I am an equal opportunity makeup lover.
If I buy an eyeshadow palette and I see a shimmery shade, nine times out of 10 I'm going to use that shimmery shade as a highlight. It's all about using a single product for multiple things! The Morphe 350 Palette does exactly that for me. Not only does it offer 35 shades but they are blendable, pigmented, and just all around bomb.utk.edu.
I love using a matte brown shade for days that I want to wear eyeshadow but throughout the weekday I mainly use this palette to highlight my cheekbones with the gold shades that this palette offers.
Fun fact: this palette is available at Ulta and you if you are a loyalty member, you can use your points to get money off of your purchase and it works with the $3.50 off coupon that they offer!
Lips
Now that we've gone through all this work, it's time to get those lips poppin'!
Nyx has a lipgloss so glossy and cute you'll buy every shade. Available in 34 colors and only $4.99 these glosses are pigmented, moisturizing, and did I mention affordable! From warm, peachy nudes to bright red glosses, Nyx has it all! I personally own five and let's just say... these glosses are a staple in my collection.
Alright, Y'all! These are my essential products for when I want to look cute on the go but I don't want to take all day! Most of the products mentioned are available at Ulta because I love them and their cash back rewards (don't judge, I'm broke). The products listed are things I've tried and fallen in love with!
Next time, don't beat yourself up about staying up to study and developing bags. Just slap some concealer on and go be the great student you are destined to be!
