Cleaning out your makeup bag? We’ve got the products to fill it with! Read on for the must-haves the collegiettes™ at Her Campus swear by. And share yours with us by leaving a comment below!
I can’t live without Urban Decay’s 24/7 eyeliner pencils. They’re a little pricey, but they come in so many amazing colors and are super easy to apply. And they don’t fade after a 12-hour day on campus! I recommend Lust and Radium — they’re my favorite shades and look good on most eye colors.
– Meghan DeMaria, Contributing Writer, UNC Chapel Hill
My beauty routine is fairly simple (read: I still can’t apply my own eyeshadow), so my go-to product is equally modest. I mean, who can live without a good tube of Lip Smacker chapstick?
– Sarah Weinberg, Contributing Writer, San Diego State University
Moroccan oil, or any Argan oil treatment really. I don’t know what I did with my hair before it! It’s really great for repairing and protecting hair when you blow-dry and flat iron it, and I’ve never found something that manages my curls so well. It’s the best!
– Amber Strazzo, Campus Correspondent, Millersville University of Pennsylvania
I don’t know what I’d do without my Indie Lee Moisturizing Oil. I use it everyday after showering to make my skin super soft. The original scent is my favorite!
– Kelsey Mulvey, Contributing Writer, Boston University
Paul & Joe Mascara Duo in Noir — one side is a brush and one side is a comb. It makes my lashes look super long. I think it’s the best mascara by far!
– Stephanie Kaplan, Editor-in-Chief, Harvard alum
I couldn’t live without my straightener. With thick, curly (and sometimes unmanageable) hair, it’s often impossible to calm my “JewFro” without the help of a flat iron. The only tool that’s been able to really tame my frizz as well as give my hair a shiny glow is the CHI one-inch ceramic flat iron. While the straightening process is often time consuming, the end result is always worth the effort.
– Stephanie Haven, Editorial Intern, Tufts University
[pagebreak]
Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm in Black Tea and Blackberry. It’s actually made for guys, but I love it because it isn’t sticky or greasy like other lip balms. It’s the only thing I use year round and it has 25 SPF; all major must-haves in my book.
– Sabel Harris, Campus Correspondent, George Mason University
Dream Liquid Mousse by Maybelline is the best thing that’s ever happened to the appearance of my skin. It boasts an “airbrush finish” and completely lives up to the title! Most liquid foundations I’ve tried have a cake-y, matte finish but not this one.
– Kristen Pye, Contributing Writer, McGill University
My number one beauty product that I can’t live without is my Wen cleansing conditioner by Chaz Dean. It’s phenomenal and leaves my hair super shiny, soft, and full. And by using it, I’ve completely eliminated every other styling product I used to use, from styling cream, to smoothing balm, to hair spray. It’s the best!
– Christina Troy, Design Associate, Merrimack College alum
My Benefit Bad Gal Lash Mascara is my go-to for mega-long lashes. Its soft, large bristles make it super easy for quick and effective application, so I definitely depend on it for making my eyes look big and bright. It even comes in a pretty plum tint, too.
– Gennifer Delman, How She Got Their Editor, Hofstra University
Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm. It keeps my lips hydrated and kissable all day, and because it’s tinted I can wear it with or without makeup and it will complete my look. I carry one around in my pocket, and have an extra in my backpack for good measure. It’s 100% natural, and the packaging is eco-friendly so I can feel good about buying it. I highly recommend it, the different shades means there is a Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm for everyone!
– Alexandra Court, Branch Manager, William and Mary
For a girl with an oily skin type like me, it’s really hard to strike a right balance when exfoliating your face between hydrating your skin and not clogging up your pores with a lot of makeup and moisturizers. But I’ve found the solution that works best or me: Mary Kay’s Hydrating Freshener! I always dab a cotton ball soaked in the solution on my T-zone before bed and in the morning and it helps me keep feeling fresh-faced all day!
– Alexandra Churchill, Editorial Intern, University of New Hampshire
L’Oreal eye-makeup remover. It’s not greasy like some other ones are, and it does the job so well. I always take my makeup off before I go to sleep, so I’ve been using this product religiously for years, and I will continue to do so as long as I also continue to swear by any and all varieties of mascara.
– Lauren Kaplan, Contributing Writer, Emory University
Nars Orgasm Blush…it’s the perfect shade of pink and gives my face a nice rosy glow!
– Erica Avesian, Contributing Writer, University of Michigan
Bare Minerals Bisque is always in my purse. The powder concealer is light, easy to apply and it blends incredibly well. Bonus? It adheres to Sephora’s standards for a natural product (so I don’t have to worry about ingredients such as parabens or phthalates sneaking into my morning routine).
– Mara Flanagan, Campus Correspondent, Chatham University