As we all try to figure out relationships, careers, and school, sometimes there just isn’t much time left to hunt down beauty products that will work for us, too. Since most of us probably don’t have hours to kill pondering about which nail polish will fit our lifestyle or what our shampoo can really do for us, HC talked to Lauren Wahlquist, an Ulta Beauty beauty consultant and college-aged woman to hear her tips for what beauty supplies work best for a college girl’s lifestyle. If you really feel like treating yourself, check out the “splurge” options, but if you’re on a tighter budget turn to the “save” options. Whether you’re looking for a product that heats up fast, lasts all day, protects, or doesn’t chip (or all of the above), you can find it here.
Your Best Hair Appliances
Flatirons
To straighten your lovely locks, Wahlquist suggests getting a ceramic-plated flatiron because ceramic plates pull your hair less and leave your locks smoother than aluminum flatirons. Splurge: Chi Flatirons, up to $180
- High quality plates
- Heats up fast
- Doesn’t pull hairs out and leaves hair smoother
- Can use it to curl hair, not just straighten
- Ceramic
Save: Conair Infiniti, $35. Although this flatiron will get your hair straight, some of the pitfalls Wahlquist mentions are:
- Doesn’t last as long
- Doesn’t smooth as well
- Heat isn’t always even throughout the plates
But it is ceramic, which is a highlight.
Curling Irons
For shiny, bouncy curls a la Shirley Temple (well, maybe not as many, but you get the drift), Wahlquist suggests ceramic curling irons, just like flatirons, to avoid pulling and breaking your hair. Splurge: Chi, around $100
- Heats up in 60 seconds—bam!
- Has a variety of heat settings
- Ceramic
Save: Revlon Perfect Heat, $20
- Has 30 heat settings for all hair types
- Has a 30-second heat up time and an auto turn-off feature (so you won’t burn yourself!)
- Ceramic
Bed Head Dual Barrel Waver $25.99
- Has two barrels so you can get lush, beachy waves in your hair
- Ceramic
Your Best Makeup
Foundation
You’re beautiful, darling, but every now and then a little blemish unfortunately arises. Although you’ll have no problems covering your blemishes with regular foundations, Wahlquist says a lot of people are turning to mineral powder as a healthier skin option. Splurge: Bare Minerals by Bare Escentuals, Mineral powder starter kit, $60
- Includes SPF Foundation, mineral veil, face color, four brushes, how-to DVD, mini bareVitamins Skin Rev-er
- If you’re too tired to take off your war paint after all those parties that last ‘til dawn, you can even sleep in this makeup!
Smashbox, $36
- Comes in many varieties, like bronzer or one to even out your complexion
- Even coverage
- Lasts all day, so you don’t have to reapply
Save: Revlon, $5.49 -$13.99
- Lasts all day, so you don’t have to reapply
- Many different kinds, like SPF 10 and mineral powder
Mascara
We all know that mascara is great for “waking up” our eyes for those pesky 8a.m.’s or as a quick way to highlight our eyes for a night out. With all the brands out there, Wahlquist suggests only one, no matter what your budget is. Save: Maybelline, $5-10 Wahlquist says Maybelline is one of the best brands of mascara, even compared to the more expensive brands, because it never clumps. No need to splurge here, ladies! You can save a little in this department and still get great quality.
Nail Polish
With so little time to sit down and paint our nails at leisure, finding the nail polish that will last the longest and take the least time to apply is crucial. Splurge: OPI, $8.50 each
- Has a wider brush so it takes less brush strokes to cover your nail
- Chips less
Save: Ulta Brand, $5
- Chips less
- Dries quickly
Body lotion
Although body lotion serves mainly as a moisturizer, it can also be a great substitute for perfume, since perfumes are expensive, Wahlquist says. And we’re all about multi-tasking! Splurge: Dermalogica, $45
- Deeper moisturizer that penetrates the skin
- Doesn’t leave a residue
- Professional recommendation advised, so make sure you clear this product with your doc first.
Save: St. Ives, $4.59
- Doesn’t leave a residue
- Has a wide variety of delish scents to choose from
Shampoo
We all know shampoo cleans our hair and takes out all the nasty bar smells from last night. But it can also be used to protect your color if your hair is dyed, and to moisturize and smooth your hair, Wahlquist says. Splurge: Pureology for colored hair, $27
- Has four varieties for colored hair
Kenra moisturizing for non-colored hair, $12-22
- Makes coarse hair more manageable—show it who’s boss!
- Replenishes moisture in dry or damaged hair
Bed Head for either, $11.50- $19.95
- Comes in twelve varieties
- Comes in fun, bright bottles, to add some fun to the dreary dorm room bathroom!
Save: Herbal Essences, $3.39
- Has a lot of fun, fruity, floral fragrances
- Doesn’t leave a residue on your hair
- Has a wide variety of features, like strengthening and color protectant
Sources: Lauren Wahlquist, Ulta Beauty beauty consultant www.ulta.com www.tigihaircare.com www.kenra.com