10 Beauty Essentials To Keep In Your Backpack This Semester

By Amanda Cohen on January 24, 2016

The end of winter break brings the start of a new semester, which almost always initiates the start of a new schedule.

The beauty of college is that you can essentially create whatever type of schedule you want, but the downside is that when you register, many of your choices are taken, resulting in a schedule where you have class from 8:30-6:00 on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, and no class on Thursdays or Fridays.

On those excruciatingly long days, you have to come to campus prepared because you usually will not be able to go back to your dorm room, house, or apartment before you write down your very last lecture notes of the day. Like I said, preparation is key, which is why I have compiled a list of beauty products that fit perfectly in your backpack and will help you survive your worst school days.

1. Oil Blotters: I don’t care how cold it is outside, it is impossible to get through a long day without getting a little bit oily around the t-zone of your face. No matter how well you wash your face in the morning, it is inevitable.

Because of this, every woman should buy some oil blotters from CVS to blot their face during one of their afternoon bathroom breaks. Oil blotters essentially look like travel-sized tissues and can literally fit into any pocket of your backpack. Not only will your skin look and feel better after blotting, but you will also prevent future breakouts in that area.

Photo via. http://www.glamour.com

2. Travel-Size Perfume: After walking from class to class in layers of sweatshirts and coats, you will start to smell a little sweaty and a little bit like the outdoors. I hate when people put on too much perfume, but the beauty of travel-sized perfumes is that the sprits are smaller.

The travel-size perfume fits anywhere in your backpack and can save you from some pretty poor smelling encounters. All you need is one squirt, and you’re golden!

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3. Travel-Size Deodorant: I know many people may not consider deodorant a beauty product, but I am here to declare to everyone that deodorant is not only a beauty product, it is one of the most important beauty products out there.

Similar to the travel-size perfume, after walking around in layers of clothing, or even if you plan on heading to the gym right from class, deodorant can save you from deathly body odor. Okay, maybe not deathly, but you will feel much more confident sitting next to people in class or running next to people at the gym if you re-apply your deodorant every now and then.

The best part about this is that it is travel-sized so it doesn’t take up that much space and it is easy to hide if you are embarrassed for some reason.

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4. Floss: More times than not, you are going to have to eat your breakfast and lunch on the go. Since you are eating on the go, you are probably eating something like a power bar, cereal, or chips … in other words, food items that get easily lodged into your teeth.

Gum might help your breath smell minty fresh, but gum is far from preventative, and the best thing you can do for your oral health is carry around floss. Flossing takes five minutes at most, and is small enough to fit anywhere in your backpack.

Not only will you feel a sense of comfort knowing that you won’t say hi to someone with crumbs in your gums, but you can also confidently go to the dentist and talk about your cavity prevention care!

Photo via. http://www.ottawadentalcare.com

5. Travel-Size Mouthwash: Everyone carries gum in their backpacks, but gum only provides a short-term solution and loses flavor pretty quickly. Travel-size mouthwash gives you that same minty freshness in a longer-lasting form (plus it promotes oral hygiene, which is always a positive).

Travel-size mouthwash is small enough to fit in your pencil case and can really save your breath after a pesto sandwich that you grabbed quickly from your favorite lunch place. Also, no one will try and steal your mouthwash in the same way that they would try and steal your gum!

Photo via. http://ecx.images-amazon.com

6. Concealer: Many people might make plans with friends after, or during, their long day of classes. Even though it is unrealistic to look like a supermodel during these days, you can give your face a fresher look with just a little bit of concealer.

Whether you use this concealer to cover the dark circles under your eyes or a small breakout on your face, it can truly do wonders and make it look like you just started your day.

Photo via. https://s3.amazonaws.com

7. Travel-Size Hair Brush: Whether your hair is curly and frizzy or pin-straight, you can always benefit from having a hairbrush on hand. Since I have curly hair, I would never use the hairbrush to brush my hair all the way through because it will frizz and expand 20 sizes.

However, when fixing my ponytail, I like having the hairbrush to make the top look cleaner and more slick. If you have straight/straightened hair, having a brush can get rid of the knots that form after wearing a hat or working out at the gym. In the end, there is no downside in having a small hairbrush tucked away in your backpack.

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8. Hair-Ties: If you don’t have at least four extra hair-ties on your wrist or in your backpack, you are a rebel and I commend you for living life on the edge. Okay, I know that was obviously an exaggeration, but I never go anywhere without having surplus hair-ties with me, and here’s why.

First, hair-ties break so easily (especially if you have larger, thicker hair like me). What happens if your hair-tie breaks before lecture begins and you have to uncomfortably push the hair out of your face and miss a section that you really needed to take notes on? Well, you’re out of luck.

Even if you don’t want to put these small hair-bands in your backpack, just put them around your wrist … it’s so easy!

Photo via. http://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com

9. Chapstick (Tinted or Untinted): I hate having chapped lips more than anything … it makes me cringe in every part of my body. I always keep at least one chapstick in my backpack so that my lips don’t become cracked in the freezing temperatures in Michigan.

I prefer using untinted Burt’s Bees, but many girls like using the colored Burt’s Bees, or even other chapstick brands like Eos or Carmex. Chapstick not only protects your lips, but it also gives your lips a glossy tone that will make you look even more put together.

Photo via. http://cdn1.theodysseyonline.com

10. Hand Lotion: Not only do I hate dry lips, but I also hate dry hands, which is an unfortunate consequence of the winter weather. The only problem is, I also hate when my hands feel sticky, which is why when I pick a hand lotion to keep in my backpack, I always use Jergens or Eucerine.

Both of these brands readily repair your hands without making them feel too sticky. Hand lotion, especially in the travel-sizes, can fit anywhere in your backpack and will save you from pealing, crusty hands that should be hidden in gloves or mittens.

Photo via. http://img.thrfun.com

I hope these suggestions helped everyone and I hope you will consider using my suggestions to help in your upcoming winter semester!

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