We all know which beauty products are essential for every collegiette – a bold red lipstick, some lengthening mascara and a calming facial cleanser, to name a few – but what about the underdogs of the beauty industry? There are plenty of other noteworthy products out there, and they can really benefit your entire beauty routine. Check out our top picks for skin, hair and cosmetics, and have fun shopping!
1. Style Extender
You work hard to make sure your hairstyle is exactly how you want it to be, so you’ll want to be able to maintain that style for as long as possible. A style extender cream helps your hair to repel dirt and oil, giving you silky and smooth locks until your next wash. Simply rub a nickel-sized amount of product into your hair from mid-length to your ends before styling. It will also work to prevent frizz and protect against humidity. Feel free to use extra products in addition to your style extender, since it can be used on its own or as a primer for your other favorite products.
We Recommend: The Prime Style Extender from Living Proof ($20) and the Deja Vu Do Style Extender from Not Your Mother’s ($9).
2. Toner
Many collegiettes are guilty of moisturizing directly after cleansing (and sometimes, not moisturizing at all—yikes!), but incorporating a facial toner into your routine is an easy way to amp up your routine an extra notch. A facial toner aids in removing any leftover cleanser you may not have washed off during cleansing, removes excess oil, gives the appearance of smaller pores and restores your skin’s pH balance. It also gives your skin a fresh surface before applying your favorite moisturizer to ensure you are getting the most out of your products.
We Recommend: The Rose Floral Toner from Fresh ($40) and the Acne Stress Control Triple-Action Toner from Neutrogena ($8.49).
3. Facial Oil
You may have been skeptical about the miraculous benefits of facial oil, especially if you have combination or oily skin, but collegiettes of every skin type can benefit from a facial oil. Many facial oils contain a rich blend of skin-loving oils to deeply hydrate and nourish your skin. For collegiettes with oily skin, look for facial oils that are “balancing” to ensure your skin gets the perfect amount of moisture without becoming too greasy. One of the best tips to keep in mind when using facial oils is to remember that a little can go a long way. A drop or two may be all you need, so start small and add more if you need to.
We Recommend: The Skin Balancing Face Oil from Jurlique ($50) and the 100% Pure Argan Oil from Josie Maran ($40).
4. Base and Top Coat
For mani-obsessed collegiettes, this may seem like a no brainer, but so many girls are still skipping out on base and top coats when painting their nails. By incorporating a base and top coat into your nail routine, you’ll instantly add extra time and durability to your manicure compared to using your favorite color only. When you start with a base coat, you give your nails a clear, smooth surface of protection before applying nail color. This is an essential step when you are using ultra bright and super dark nail polishes in order to prevent staining your nail beds. After applying two coats of color, seal in your hard work with a top coat to protect the color all week long. For additional durability, re-apply top coat every other day to keep chips at bay.
We Recommend: The Top 2 Bottom Base and Top Coat from Orly ($10) and the Dry Fast Top Coat from Seche Vite ($9.95).
5. Makeup Brush Cleanser
You might be a master at picking out the right makeup brushes for defined contouring and the perfect romantic smoky eye, but did you also know that you should be cleaning your brushes on the regular? Failing to clean your brushes results in clogged pores and annoying breakouts. Regular cleaning will help to remove dirt, debris, dead skin cells, oil, and old makeup—even bacteria that get stuck in the bristles. This is a routine that preserves the life of your brushes, helps to apply your makeup more evenly without leftover product in the way, and keeps your skin clear. We suggest that every time you use your makeup brushes, you provide them with a quick cleaning using a daily brush cleanser. You just spray the formula onto your brushes and wipe them clean onto a paper towel. Then once a week, provide your brushes with a deeper cleaning using a richer formula.
We Recommend: The liquid blendercleanser from beautyblender ($18) and the Master Cleanse Daily Brush Cleaner from Sephora ($8.50).
With these beauty essentials, you’ll be able to take your routine from drab to fab in minutes!