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August marks the start of back-to-school season, and for many, that means jumping headfirst into all things fall, from pumpkin spice to Halloween. Plus, fall beauty trends really do change with the weather, and a summer that prioritized dewy skin with vibrant details is morphing into cooler vibes.
In Her Campus’s 2026 Back To College Survey, we asked college students all about their favorite beauty trends that you’re bound to see around this autumn. One thing is for sure: With the below products, you’ll be prepared for a season with the best beauty picks to match the fall trends.
We collected responses from over 350 respondents, and it was clear that modern minimalism and clean girl makeup aesthetics took the top prize this school year (with clean girl makeup, middle parts, and Korean skin care scoring high for the top specific beauty trends).
As seasons change and classes start, having your beauty bag stocked with all the latest and greatest is a must. If you find yourself lost in the ever-consuming world of online beauty trends, here is a list of beauty products to grab for school this year, based on the popular trends mentioned by surveyed Gen Zers.
Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream ($19)
A must-have for your bag this fall, this globally-loved K-beauty staple is a necessity — especially with clean girl makeup scoring 93% and Korean skin care scoring 86% as top fall trends, respectively. If you’re looking for a daily go-to that offers light-to-moderate coverage with SPF, add this one to your cart.
IGK Good Behavior Taming Wand ($24)
The middle part proved to be another major trend for the upcoming school year, with 87% of respondents marking it as “in.” This wand is the perfect addition to your bag. It’s especially designed to keep your middle part looking sleek and fresh as it combats annoying flyaways throughout the day.
Anua 7 Rice Ceramide Hydrating Barrier Serum ($22)
Returning to the Korean beauty trend, this skin care product is all about the skin barrier’s health. Whether it be late-night study cram sessions or early morning runs to class in the chilly weather, your skin will feel it, making this the perfect product to add to your routine.
Hung Vanngo Beauty Very Beautiful Matte Velvet Blush ($32)
With multiple mentions of matte soft glam as the go-to look this year, this blush is perfect as the seasons transition. After a summer of dewy glows, fall brings in the trend of a velvety matte finish. A cashmere-inspired blush in a warm terracotta shade of orange is the perfect, elegant must-have to look out for.
VIOLETTE_FR Lip Nectar ($29)
Eclectic grunge is emerging as a trend this year, but the internet is already embracing it. This lip stain is a bag essential because it matches the clean girl aesthetic while giving you the edge of the vampy oxblood lip. Grab the stain in the shade of ‘dahlia noir’ to be on trend.
R.E.M. Beauty starlet lustrous liquid eyeshadow ($22)
This liquid eyeshadow is a standout product by Ariana Grande that’s perfect for this fall’s shift into graphic accents. With an applicator wand designed to give you the option to do a full lid or an eyeliner look, this couldn’t fit the trend more. With eight shades to choose from, this waterproof liquid shadow is just the product to add dimension to your look.
Nail Reformation Coconut Milk Short Almond Press-Ons ($16)
Press-on nails are huge amongst college students right now, and the survey reflected that, with 86% of respondents voting it as a top fall trend. I’ve chosen this particular shade and style because neutral nails were also marked as a trend, and this color is the ultimate chic look for any day of the week.
BTARTBOXNAILS SOFTCOATTIPS Red Collection ($20)
Neutral nails might be trending, but colorful nails also caught the attention of a majority (83%) of respondents. Rich shades of brown and deep burgundy are all over this season’s vision board. This new collection offers the most popular nail shapes, and these colors are exactly what’s needed this fall to bring a rich finish to your look.