STYLE

There's a veritable treasure trove of unknowns that comes with a new year: How tough will that social studies teacher be? Who will end up in your lunch table gang? What the heck is quantum mechanics? While we can't answer those burning Q's, we can say this: Starting school again can feel far less daunting when you've got these helpful beauty hacks up your sleeve. 

Smell amazing from homeroom to homework

Pixi Skintreats Rose Oil Blend, $24 | Le Monde Gourmand Creme Vanille Body Oil, $28 | Saltair Nourishing Body Oil in Exotic Pulp, $22 | Phlur Body Oil in Missing Person, $45

Make your fave scent last all day by adding an extra dimension with body oil. How? Oils linger longer on the skin—you'll smell stunning for much longer than if you just use a simple spray. 

Look awake, alive, alert, enthusiastic at 7 a.m.

Milk Makeup Cooling Water Jelly Tint in Burst, $24

Our fave flush? "Boyfriend blush" (long story how this trend got its name, but TL;DR it's now just a cute moniker). "Apply a sheer, natural-looking blush stain at the center of your cheek," advises Sara Wren, Milk Makeup's global director of artistry. Then instead of blending up and out, "go down toward your jaw line, for that 'I just went for a jog effect.'" We won't tell anyone that the only thing you ran for was the bus. 

Covertly cover a zit

Peace out even your peskiest pimples before first period.

Violette_FR Invisible Bandage Prime + Protect Solution, $28 | L.A. Colors Translucent Setting Powder, $7 | E.l.f. Cosmetics Hydrating Camo Concealer, $7

Step 1: The trick to hiding a brutal breakout? Smooth out the uneven texture on your skin before concealing. "Blemishes can be dry, swollen and red, so first apply a matte primer to the area," explains Wren.

Step 2: Use a small brush to apply thin layers of a hydrating concealer, building up coverage until the spot is invisible.

Step 3: Gently press setting powder over top to lock in. "Reducing the shine on the spot will reduce its visibility on the skin," says Wren. 

Stash the essentials

Like Batman's utility belt or Mary Poppins' bag, stock your locker and be forever prepared for any beauty emergency.

Rare beauty Blot & Glow Touch-Up Kit, $26 | Tangle Teezer The Mini Ultimate Detangling Brush, $11 | Florence By Mills Zero Chill Face Mist, $16

Kitsch Spiral Hair Ties, $9 | Tweezerman Grip And Snip Spiral Spring Cuticle Nipper, $28

4 lip glosses for when you need a mental vacay

Scented, because we may be in study hall, but our minds are...somewhere else. 

Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm in Pink Sugar, $24 | Nyx Professional Cosmetics This is Juice Gloss in Strawberry Flex, $8 | Too Faced Kissing Jelly Lip Oil Gloss in Sweet Cotton Candy, $22 | R.e.m. Beauty Essential Drip Lip Oil in Lavender Kiss, $17

Restock your beauty bag for under $25

This just in: You don't have to spend all your babysitting bucks to look totally fab...

L.A. Girl HD Pro.Conceal, $6 | E.l.f. Lash Xtndr Mascara in Black, $7 | Wet n Wild Color Icon 5 Pan Eye & Face Palette in Full Bloomin, $5 | Essence in Juicy Bomb Shiny Lipgloss in Poppin' Pomegranate, $3

You'll love taking notes when your nails look like this...

Orly Breathable Nail Lacquer in Do A Beryl Roll, $10 | Essie Nail Lacquer in Frilly Lillies, $10 | Olive & June Long Lasting Polish in Can't Loose, $10 | L.A. Colors Let's Get Wild Gel Polish in Samba, $4 | Orly Nail Lacquer in Don't Pop My Balloon, $11

Hey, girl! Just wanted to let you know that this story originally ran in our August/September 2024 issue. Want more? Read the print mag for free *today* when you click HERE.

Looking for more back-to-school inspo? Check out these posts:
🩷 Tell us your fave class and we'll find your new school supplies
🩷 These tips will make getting your summer schoolwork done a breeze
🩷 Add these 5 things to your back-to-school bucket list

Top and slider image: @katiefangg

by Erin Reimel and Erin Sargent | 9/7/2024