Every Beauty Product to Pack for College, Beyond Just the Basics
If you’re anything like us, planning dorm decor comes second to researching back-to-school beauty releases and hording sheet masks to use with your roommates. Sure, everyone’s beauty bag will look a little different, but replenishing skincare and makeup supplies is a must before move-in day – because having all your fave products and soothing skin mist in your backpack is going to make week one of class that much easier!
We have recommendations for exactly what you should bring to college, but depending on your beauty style – whether that's minimalist or full-blow queen – just read through to find the best products and tools you’ll need for the year. Your task? Determine what’s essential and what you want, because having beauty that goes beyond just the basics is everything.
Face
Skincare
- Face wash (HC Pick: green tea cleansing foam)
- Face scrub/exfoliant
- Face mask/sheet mask
- Toner (HC Pick: green tea seed hydrating toner)
- Serum (HC Pick: green tea serum)
- Facial oil
- Moisturizer (HC Pick: peptide-rich orchid cream)
- Eye cream (HC Pick: intensely hydrating with green tea seed oil)
- Night cream (HC Pick: vitamin c sleeping mask)
- Blemish treatment
- Sheet masks (HC Pick: water, essence, and cream base sheet masks)
- Sunscreen
- Makeup remover
- Clay mask (HC Pick: pore clearing mask with volcanic clusters)
Makeup
- Primer
- Foundation
- Face powder
- Concealer
- Bronzer
- Blush
- Highlighter/contour
- Brow pencil/gel
- Eyeliner
- Eyeshadow
- Mascara
- Lipstick
- Lip balm
- Gloss
Tools
- Makeup Brushes
- Cotton pads
- Tweezers
- Spoolie
- Eyelash curler
Body
Skincare
- Body wash
- Body scrub
- Shave gel
- Lotion/moisturizer
- Sunscreen
Extras
- Perfume
- Nail polish
Tools
- Razor
Hair
Product
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Dry Shampoo
- Serum or oil
- Mousse/styling spray
Tools
- Hairbrush
- Elastic bands
- Bobby pins
- Flat iron
- Curling iron/wand
- Blow dryer
So, that’s it! As you pack for an exciting new year, these are just a few products that will keep your skin dewy and your contour sharp, however bare-faced or extravagant you want to go.
Gina Escandon (Cal Poly ‘17)
Gina Escandon (Cal Poly ‘17)
Gina is the Beauty & Culture Editor at Her Campus, where she oversees content and strategy for the beauty, wellness, sex & relationships, and culture sections. She's also the person behind @HerCampusBeauty, and you can regularly catch her talking all things skincare on Her Campus's social channels. She got her start in digital media as a Campus Correspondent at HC Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where she graduated in 2017 with degrees in English and Theater. Now, Gina is Boston-based and you can regularly find her wearing a face mask in bed and scrolling through TikTok.
