Cheers to the weekend! You just checked the groupchat and it’s buzzing with plans to pregame here, Uber there, take selfies everywhere… Let’s get ready for a night out! You could be going to a new club in the city, your favorite artist’s concert, or your local college bar. Maybe you’re heading to frat row or your roommate’s friend’s house party. Wherever your night leads you, there are sure to be a lot of fun moments. Armed with glitter eyeshadows and your favorite jeans, you’re ready to take on the night. Or, are you?
Going out can be a hassle sometimes! Cold New England winters can mean waiting in long, snowy lines. Themed parties can mean that you borrowed a friend’s top that is just not your size. Perhaps someone spills their drink on you and your mascara just slides off. Whatever the mishap may be, going out sometimes just isn’t as glamorous as it looks on your Instagram story. As a certified Comfy Girl™, I have mastered the art of prioritizing comfort on my nights out. Look cute, have an amazing time, and stay comfy out there!
The Mary Poppins Purse
I love bringing little cosmetics with me everywhere. You never know if you’ll need a tissue, a band-aid, a hair tie, some concealer… The list goes on! Where are you going to put all of these items? Take a leaf out of Mary Poppins’ book and create your own little magic pouch. Don’t want to bring a purse out with you? No problem! Zip-up wallets or ID cases are roomy enough to keep everything secure from your room key to your credit card. I’ve been able to fit a small lip gloss, concealer, tissue pack, and breath strips in there as well. The best part? My wallet fits neatly into my back pocket. Talk about hands-free!
If you want to up your game a bit, baguette bags can seriously fit a lot. I’ve been able to fit entire travel-sized skincare routines inside! You can squeeze your whole makeup routine in there as well if you want to get ready at a friend’s place or touch-up throughout the night. Whatever little items you need, take them with you in a small yet roomy bag.
The Fracket
“Fracket” is a portmanteau combining “frat” and “jacket,” but you can wear one anywhere! No matter how much you may claim to not need that layer of outerwear, there will be nights when it dips below minus 15 degrees. Of course you don’t want to risk losing your nicest, warmest coat, but you need a little something to keep you warm! In my opinion, the ideal fracket is three things: warm, waterproof, and wallet-friendly. It should have a sleek exterior to protect it from mysterious liquids, a fluffy interior to insulate, and its price point should be low enough that you won’t miss it too badly if it goes missing. With a fracket, you’ll never have to suffer in the cold again!
Taking Care of Future You
Yes, you can still do self-care after a night out! With a little prep work, you can come home to a lovely spread of items waiting to make your life easier. Make sure you have some comfy clothes, a full water bottle, a snack, and any makeup removers or skincare items at the ready before you leave. That way when you return from your exhausting excursion, you won’t have to dig around for the things you need most. Don’t fall asleep with your foundation caked to your face (as tempting as it seems)! Take a few moments to hydrate, satisfy those hunger pangs, and wipe away your mascara clumps. You’ll thank yourself in the morning.
Beauty does not have to be pain! Looking good and feeling good are key components to a successful night out. As amazing as you may feel when you’re getting ready, nights out can take a lot of energy out of you. Why suffer through the discomfort of cold temperatures and smudged makeup when you can have a fracket and fit your concealer in your pocket? The next time you’re having a night out, don’t forget that your creature comforts don’t need to stay at home. Take them out with you!
Can’t get enough of HC UMass Amherst? Be sure to follow us on Instagram, listen to us on Spotify, like us on Facebook, and read our latest Tweets!