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Scattered skincare products from The Ordinary against a light background, featuring various bottles and tubes. Small hearts add a playful touch. — Photos by The Ordinary

Scattered skincare products from The Ordinary against a light background, featuring various bottles and tubes. Small hearts add a playful touch. — Photos by The Ordinary

Her Campus x The Ordinary

Every Beauty Product to Pack for College, Beyond Just the Basics

Updated Published

Katy Gioeli

This is a sponsored feature. All opinions are 100% from Her Campus.

Picture this: It’s a gorg August day. The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and your iced matcha latte is hitting. You’re enjoying the easy, breezy vibes of summer vacay when — ping — you get *that* email. You know, the one where a future professor pops your blissful summertime bubble by sending an intro message that reminds you classes start soon — cue internal panic.

While saying goodbye to summer can be low-key sad, there’s something so exciting about that back-to-school energy. A new school year isn’t just a return to the things you know and love (college besties, we’re looking at you); it’s also a fresh start — a chance to meet new people, learn new things, and make new memories.

And of course, no fresh start is complete without a well-packed beauty bag. No matter what your school year has in store, we’re here to help you put your best face forward with the ultimate college beauty packing list, filled with all the essentials you need to look and feel your best as you take on another (or your first!) year on campus.

Face

Skincare

Blemish treatment
Cleanser
Exfoliator
Moisturizer
Toner
Serum
Facial oil
Eye cream
Night cream
Sheet masks
Sunscreen
Makeup remover
Clay mask
Lip mask
Under-eye patches
Facial mist
Toner pads
Micellar water

Alt text: \ — Photo by The Ordinary

The Ordinary Sulfur 10% Powder-to-Cream Concentrate, $10

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A sleek gray tube of The Ordinary\'s Squalane Cleanser, featuring a white label with bold black text. — Photo by The Ordinary

The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser, $11

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A brown glass dropper bottle of The Ordinary serum labeled \ — Photo by The Ordinary

The Ordinary Aloe 2% + NAG 2% Solution, $15

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Makeup

Lightweight foundation
Mascara
Lipstick
Primer
Setting powder
Concealer
Bronzer
Blush
Highlighter
Contour
Brow pencil/gel
Eyeliner
Eyeshadow
Lip balm
Lip gloss/oil
Setting spray
Lip stain

A bottle of serum foundation by The Ordinary, with a sleek black pump top. The matte brown label highlights its lightweight, mindful color formulation. — Photo by The Ordinary

The Ordinary Serum Foundation, $8

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Light blue mascara tube and brush with sleek design. Tube reads \ — Photo by COVERGIRL

COVERGIRL Lash Blast Supercloud Mascara, $13

Open lip oil container with bright pink liquid. The bottle has a neon yellow cap and bold branding, exuding a playful and vibrant feel. — Photo by NYX Professional Makeup

NYX Professional Makeup Fat Oil Lip Drip, $9

Tools

Makeup brushes
Cotton pads
Tweezers
Spoolie brush
Eyelash curler
Makeup sponge
Reusable makeup wipes
Ice roller
Gua Sha

Set of eight white-handled makeup brushes of varying sizes arranged vertically. Includes fluffy, angled, and spoolie brushes, conveying a sleek, professional look. — Photo by Morphe

Morphe Best of Blends 8-Piece Face & Eye Brush Set, $39

Rose gold eyelash curler with black rubber padding, featuring sleek curves and ergonomic handles, exuding a modern, elegant design. — Photo by Wet N Wild

Wet N Wild High On Lash Eyelash Curler, $4

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Heart-shaped green jade gua sha tool against a white background. The smooth, curved stone conveys a sense of calm and relaxation. — Photo by Mount Lai

Mount Lai The Jade Gua Sha Facial Lifting Tool, $30

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Body

Skincare

Body wash
Body scrub
Body serum
Body emulsion
Shave gel/shaving cream
Lotion/moisturizer
Sunscreen
Hand cream
Body oil

White plastic bottle of The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 0.5% Body Serum. Label features black text and a blue accent, highlighting acne treatment use. — Photo by The Ordinary

The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 0.5% Body Serum, $15

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White pump bottle with \ — Photo by The Ordinary

The Ordinary Niacinamide 5% Face and Body Emulsion, $14

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White pump bottle labeled \ — Photo by The Ordinary

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + Inulin Body Lotion, $15

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Extras

Perfume/Body mist
Nail polish
Razor
Nail file
Nail clippers
Loofah/African net sponge
Dry brush

Black-and-white geometric packaging with bold lines frames a vibrant blue mesh body exfoliator. \ — Photo by LUV SCRUB

LUV SCRUB Mesh Body Exfoliator, $18

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Pink flower-shaped bottle of body mist with yellow text reading \ — Photo by DAISE

DAISE Fragrance Body Mist, Raspberry & Mint, $6

A bottle of \ — Photo by Manucurist

Manucurist Active Glow™ Raspberry, $19

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Hair

Product

Shampoo
Conditioner
Dry shampoo
Serum or oil
Leave-in conditioner
Mousse/styling gel
Hairspray
Heat protectant
Hair mask
Scalp scrub

A brown dropper bottle labeled \ — Photo by The Ordinary

Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density, $23

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Bottle of The Ordinary Hair Care, a white rectangular design with blue accent, labeled \ — Photo by The Ordinary

Behentrimonium Chloride 2% Conditioner, $10

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A white bottle of \ — Photo by The Ordinary

Sulphate 4% Cleanser for Body and Hair, $10

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Tools

Hairbrush
Elastic bands
Bobby pins
Flat iron
Curling iron/wand
Blow dryer
Scalp scrubber
Heatless curl set

A pink detangling hairbrush with a curved handle and flexible bristles against a white background, conveying a soft, modern aesthetic. — Photo by Tangle Teezer

Tangle Teezer The Ultimate Detangler Plant Brush™, $18

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The image shows a Kit Sch heatless curling set, including a gray curling rod and scrunchie, with before-and-after hair photos on the packaging. — Photo by Kitsch

Kitsch Satin Heatless Curling Set, $13

Two sleek, metallic hair dryers are shown with four interchangeable attachments: a diffuser, concentrator, round volumizing brush, and smoothing brush. — Photo by Shark®

Shark® SpeedStyle™ Pro FLEX Hair Dryer System, $200

Extras

Claw clips
Headbands
Scrunchies
Silk/satin pillowcase
Creaseless hair clips

White silk pillow with a soft sheen placed next to a beige box labeled \ — Photo by blissy

blissy Silk Pillowcase, $80

Five pink hair clips with silver clasps are aligned side by side on a white background. Each clip has a subtle shimmer and a small \ — Photo by Mermade™

Mermade™ No-Crease Clips, $6

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A pink and orange flower-shaped hair clip with soft, translucent petals. The vibrant design adds a cheerful and playful touch. — Photo by Emi Jay

Emi Jay Super Bloom Clip, $16

U Conn '18

Katy is a Branded Content Editor at Her Campus Media. She graduated from the University of Connecticut in 2018, where she studied communication and was a College Fashionista Community Member. When she’s not dreaming up new branded content ideas, you can find her trying new restaurants, taking hundreds of pictures of her cat, Willow, or enjoying her latest romantasy book obsession and an iced matcha latte.