Every year millions of college students enter into school with many things on their mind; grades, their future, jobs, and even money. Throughout the summer many have a steady and/or part time jobs and are able to afford the items that are essential to the individual. Like cosmetics! From the most basic needs to high end makeup we all want something that will help us feel more confident and ready to kill it this semester.
Hair
Probably the hardest part for some - including myself. My ultimate favorite shampoo and conditioner is OGX, it is a drug store brand that retails for $7:99 a bottle. I use coconut curls and for any girl with big curly hair it will be your holy grail shampoo and conditioner combo. The best way to buy this shampoo is through Ulta Beauty because every month or so they sell OGX hair products through a buy one get one half off sale. OGX has a variety of types of products for all kinds of hair. OGX products are also gluten free.
Another great hair product is Regis Designine Olive Oil leave in conditioner ($8.95). This is a product I picked up at Super Cuts - which is a great place for students to get their hair done for affordable prices - this is one of the best products for all types of hair. I spray it in after I comb my hair while it is still damp and makes my hair even curlier. When it comes to my curls; the bigger the better!
For those of you who wash your hair at night one great item to have is Biosilk Therapy oil. In the morning after your hair is brushed you just comb it through your hair and it gives shine and brings back the body and calms the frizzes. You may also use Biosilk on wet or dry hair - all you need is a small amount to get the job done. This product is a little bit pricey but the best place to pick it up would be at Target for $13:99.
Face Products and Make up
Now onto my favorite part. Personally most of my spurges happen right in the makeup department, where I lose all of my self control, watch my bank account drop, and lose a small amount of my pride. One thing we all need to spurge on is foundation and my two favorites are MAC Prolong Wear Foundation which is $33.00 but it lasts because you only need a small amount to do all the work. Another Favorite Foundation is Chanel
VITALUMIÈRE AQUA which clocks in at a cool 47 bucks. Both are worth it, but I would tell any person on a budget to go for MAC because you get more and it lasts longer, but every person should still experience a Chanel foundation.I apply foundation with a beauty blender. You have all seen these pink sponges known as beauty blenders in your local Nordstrom selling for about 28 dollars. But have no fear, Target is here selling them to you for about $4.00.
Whatever foundation I am using I match it with concealer. MAC Pro Long Wear ($22:00) and Chanel ($40:00) both have equally great concealers. The MAC one has a thicker finish while Chanel is more natural so their is no winner here it is all personal preference.
When it comes to eye makeup there is a good mix between splurges and drug store cosmetics. Eyebrows must always be on point and the only place to go is Anastasisa Beverly Hill’s fill in eyebrow pencil for $18.00. An alternative to this product is NYX eyebrow pallet which is about 6 dollars and works very well. You will never want any other eyebrow pencil. Eyeliner is one of the most important part of our makeup process and to be honest I go through so much eyeliner! I only buy Maybelline Stiletto eyeliner and NYX jet black eyeliner. For mascara a great splurge item is the Dior Blackout which costs $27.50 but most Maybelline mascara works just as good.
For eyeshadow I use a good mix of everything from MAC to Urban Decay to Almay. But for a college student I recommend investing in a pallet because they are versatile and they can go from day to night and are easy to use for those of you who are not familiar with doing eye makeup. The Urban Decay Naked Pallets are everything you need for an everyday and weekend look this semester. A cheaper product is Almay trio pallets that match eye color. They are easy to use and have a beautiful finish. Right now my favorite blushes are Just A Whisp and Petal Power from MAC’s mineralize line which are $27.00 each but they can double as a highlighter. The colors are actually to die for.
Lipstick is where I go totally crazy and to be honest I most likely have a lipstick from almost every brand. Personally two great lipsticks for an everyday natural look is Honey Love and Taupe by MAC. Both these colors look good on all skin complexions. My favorite fun colors are Diva and Candy Yum Yum for a more wild look. MAC lipsticks are perfect because they are priced just right and come in a variety of colors for all different kinds of people. After the day is over I take my makeup off with Neutrogena makeup remover and face wash.
Bath and Body
Right now it is the perfect time to hit up Bed, Bath, and Body Works. The sales are great and every year they come out with new scents that go with the season. Usually I will buy a full set of body wash, body creme, body spray and hand sanitizer. The set will last a long time. Even though it is not actual perfume, the layering of one scent will make it last all day like a high end and/or strong perfume would. But if strong perfume is your thing my personal favorite is Alien by Thierry Muglar the smallest bottle retails at $80:00 but here’s the selling point: once you are done with the perfume you do not have to throw it out - just bring the bottle back to whatever department store you purchased it from and you can refill it for around 40 bucks and that goes for all of Muglar’s perfumes. These perfumes are true investments and smell gorgeous.
Now before I leave you, there are a few things you must remember and one is ALWAYS ASK FOR SAMPLES. When you’re spending money on something you want to make sure you love it so do not be afraid ask for a few samples and see what you like the best. When you shop online at Sephora they are required to give you as many samples as you want. Although drug store products are nice but the higher end you go the more samples you get. But your most beautiful commodity is your self confidence and do not simply do your makeup for others do it for yourself - because it makes you happy. When you are happy with yourself everyone else will feel good too so most importantly just be you and there’s no price tag on that.
