Her Campus Logo Her Campus Logo
Life

Her Campus Back-to-School Survival Kits? Yes, please!

This is a sponsored feature. All opinions are 100% from Her Campus.

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Chapel Hill chapter.

It’s midterm season and it’s hitting us hard here at UNC. Between the papers, exams and presentations we’re drowning in work! But never fear there’s always one thing that can cheer us up (besides break); survival kits!

That’s right, Her Campus is back with their semesterly Survival Kits, and this one is full of essentials that everyone needs. 

 

1. Mascara

Whether you’re going to class or going out, everyone needs a good mascara to get them through their event. BUXOM Cosmetics Big Tease™ Plumping Mascara is the perfect addition to add to your makeup routine. As someone who loves that look of fake lashes but is too afraid to try them (how do you not rip every eyelash off taking those babies off!), this mascara is the next best thing. The smudge-proof and flake resistant formula helps to keep you from looking like a raccoon when it gets hot and the conical-shaped brush (apparently brush shape is important) GIVES. YOU. FULL. CO-VER-RAGE. Bonus, it’s small enough to fit in your makeup bag!

 

2. Perfume

Who doesn’t love smelling good? No matter what occasion, a quick touch-up can keep you smelling fresh throughout the day. Katy Perry’s Indi Fragrance, another pocket-sized item, is great to have handy. This fragrance literally has 11, I repeat 11, different musks that blend together beautifully with notes of white tea, oriental plum and Italian bergamot. There really is a scent for everyone in this fragrance.  

 

3. Snacks on snacks on snacks

Rushing to class in the morning, we sometimes forget to eat breakfast (I know super bad). That why we have.. snack bars! These are life savers for a quick meal on the go. Organic GōL Bars are a personal favorite not only because of how filling they are but because they’re so full of flavor too! Flavors like Chocolate Coconut, Blueberry, Chocolate Sea Salt and Maple Sea Salt are packed with protein and fiber, no added, and are gluten-free! 

 

4. “I got hot sauce in my bag/swag”

I know the biggest plot twist was finding out that iconic Beyoncé line for hot sauce was actually not about the condiment but a baseball bat, but for all intensive purposes, we’re gonna use it as a condiment. In all seriousness, hot sauce is a big thing in the South and having your own stash and seasonings can add some spice to any food and instantly make you famous among your friends (at least we hope so). Frank’s RedHot is the perfect blend of flavor and heat® and can be added to food to take it up a notch.

 

4. Safety first

It’s super important to stay alert and safe on a college campus. SABRE‘s personal alarm, coming in a key ring and clip version, as well as their drink test, are a MUST to have on you at all times. The personal alarm is a 120dB alarm which is about the same sound/frequency as dorm fire alarms, so that baby is going to be heard. Their drink test can test for GHB and Ketamine in alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks which a popular “date rape drugs.”  As much as we hope we won’t be in a dangerous situation where we have to use these items, having the right self-defense tools will help to keep you safe. 

 

5. Namastay at home

For those nights when you don’t feel like interacting with people, why not try relaxing with a night in?

  • DIY? Try Krazy Glue’s All Purpose Singles which are perfect for any Pinterest inspired project you have in mind. It works with nearly any surface including wood, metal, plastics, glass, vinyl & ceramics.
  • Aromatherapy? Try Bath & Body Works’ Wallflowers Fragrance Diffusers! I’m OBSESSED with these!  No lie, I have a drawer in my dorm filled with different fragrance scents. These plug-ins are perfect for the college dorm when you want the scent of a candle but like, fire alarms ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.  The plugs run from $4.50 – $18.50 and refills $6.50. Stay on the lookout for daily deals and specials offers when you sign up with for Bath & Body Works’ email, I’m talking five refills for $23 y’all!

 

6. Going out?

And for those nights when you’re ready to hang with your crew, try having these essentials!

  • Shaving Cream? For those moments when you’re short on time, Skintimate‘s 2-in-1 Shave Cream & Skin Conditioner is a must! It lets you shave and condition your legs in one step and provides 24 hours of moisturization.
  • Makeup Remover? For those moments when your eyeliner decides it hates you an won’t come off, Garnier’s Micellar Cleansing Water All-In-1 Waterproof is heaven sent. No joke, this stuff wipes stubborn eyeliner off so easily. Aside from eyeliner, it also cleanses your face removing dirt and oil with no rinsing.
  • Self-tanner? For those moments when you never get to see the sun or miss that summer glow, Sublime’s Bronze Hydrating Self-Tanning Milk by L’Oréal Paris is here to the recuse! Their self-tanning milk is streak-free and gives you a gradual glow so we can all channel our inner bronzed goddess.

 

Whatever the occasion, the Her Campus Survival Kit comes with everything you can ever need to help you guide you through this crazy thing called college.

 

Which item are you most excited for?

A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Maurianna served as a Senior Editor and Marketing Publicity Director before becoming Campus Correspondent. Majoring in English with a concentration in Writing, Editing, and Digital Publication, she combines her love of words and digital design as the founder of a lifestyle blog, Anna Elle Liz, and brand + web design business, Mauri's Markups. When she’s not working, you can find her volunteering at the animal shelter, binge-watching home decor shows, or finding quaint coffee shops around town.