Back to school essentials

BTS title

It’s the most wonderful time…

Okay, does anyone else get flashbacks to that Staple’s commercial when they hear the words “back to school”? Although I’ve been out of school since 2010 (and out of high school since 2006), I have to admit that sometimes I get a bit jealous during this time of the year.  I was in Target the other day and one of the sales associates stopped me and asked if I checked out the back to school section.  I basically just stared at him and said I’m past those days.  Still though, a part of me really wanted to check the stuff out because it’s all so darn cute.  The clothes, the binders, the pens!  Not going to lie, I kind of wish I were still in school just to do the back-to-school shopping.

Although I don’t really have much use for a cute notebook (although I am a writer, I just prefer digital.  Plus I always feel weird writing in cute notebooks, I feel like I’m wasting the pages), I do have use for some new cosmetics.  If you are going back to high school or entering university, here are some must-have staples.

Eos

eos Visibly Soft Lip Balm spheres 

Although they aren’t the longest-wearing lip balms on the market, who can resist these little Easter eggs of goodness?  The Visibly Soft formula provides softness you can feel, with ingredients like Vitamin C, shea butter, and natural conditioning oils. Available in two flavours – Coconut Milk and Vanilla Mint – they are small enough to toss in your backpack and at C$3.99 a pop, they are affordable enough to share.

Olay Fresh Effects Acne Control Scrub 

Let’s be real here.  High school is usually when a lot of teenagers first start to experience acne.  Between the late-night studying and oh, I dunno, that thing called puberty, your skin and body goes through a lot. Olay Fresh Effect’s new Acne Control Scrub Salicyclic Acid Acne and Blackhead Clearing Exfoliant with mandarin orange and green tea essence is formulated with salicylic acid that penetrates pores to eliminate most blemishes and blackheads.  For a deeper clean, the stuff has tiny microbeads to exfoliate skin and clear dead skin cells.

I’ve been using Olay Fresh Effect’s cleansers for a while now and they really do the job and are super affordable, perfect for any student on a budget (plus, the packaging is always so cute!).

CC cream

Olay Total Effects Pore Minimizing CC Cream 

If you are young, there is no need to go all crazy with full-coverage foundation.  Instead, invest in a BB or CC cream, which will give you coverage, plus a whack of other benefits good for your skin.  Olay’s new Pore Minimizing CC Cream airbrushes the appearance of pores for a flawless finish and is formulated with seven-in-one benefits to maintain healthy, younger-looking skin.

CoverGirl Clump Crusher LashBlast mascara

I’ve talked about this mascara lots on the blog and I still have to say that it’s my favourite drugstore mascara out there.  The brush really gets in there to coat every lash for perfect separation and volume.  Plus, since it retails for less than $10, you can invest in other things you’ll need like binders, pens, and lip gloss.

NYC IndividualEyes Eyeshadow palette

These come in a variety of different shades, but no matter which one you choose, you are making a great investment.  Each palette comes with four shades, a primer base, and a highlight.  If you have blue eyes like me, give Union Square a try.

NYC High Definition Liquid Eyeliner

There are a variety of different brands out there that make a good liquid liner, but no one can beat the price of New York Color.  Since we all hit the snooze button one too many times in the morning (regardless if it’s school or work), a quick cat eye, some mascara and gloss is all you need to still be out the door in time.

Disclosure: I am a #BeautyUnited blogger. As part of my affiliation with this group I receive products and special access to P&G events. The opinions on this blog are my own.

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