Now I know when you’re at school it is easy to get caught up in distractions and possibly loose touch with your beauty routine. From the skincare routine that whilst at home you practice religiously but now skipping “every once in a while” because you don’t feel like getting up. To spending money you don’t have to keep up with the others on campus so you don’t come up lookin crazy. Even still even if you already have tips and trick of your own, here are 5 that you can definitely utilize while away at school that can fulfill your most girly needs without breaking the bank.
1) LET THERE BE light, with a new vanity mirror
Out of the 5, this may be least attainable, but even still there are so many vanity mirror options that are so affordable on Amazon that can really take your makeup up a level. Stop relying on that terrible yellow lighting from the overhead lights in the dorm. This product ranges from $25-$50, and I know you may be thinking you can use that $25 for something better, but this is something you will use everyday. I bought my personal vanity mirror two years ago and when I tell you it is probably one of my favorite Amazon purchases ever. Included with 9 mini bulbs, settings for different types of lighting (pure white, warm white, and natural lighting), along with a dimmer so lighting isn’t harsh. I get so many compliments how my skin and makeup looks and all that has to do with the mirror I spend probably too long looking in. This may be the biggest investment you make for your dorm room, but it is something you won’t regret.
My personal Amazon Vanity Mirror Link:
2) Get a real life flawless filter with a powder puff
Since we are still on the subject of makeup, I am proud to say that I believe I have perfected my everyday makeup look. The look that I wear at every function, special event, and if I am really feeling it, I’ll wear it to class too. Yet still for year the one place I always struggled with was my under eyes. Because I have natural folds, it wouldn’t matter what concealer, foundation, power I used it would still crease. But after suggestions found on TikTok, I may have just found my holy grail product that is on Amazon for $6. Triangle powder puffs! There are literally less that $6 for a pack of 6, coming in the colors black ad white. These babies are able to get in the tight space under your eyes that a normal beauty blender or brush normally wouldn’t be able to. Leaving a flawless filter of softness under your eyes that blends beautifully with the rest of your makeup. There may be reasoning for re-powder hours later depending on the normal texture of your skin but even still this is such an easy addition into your makeup routine that can change the game of your face card!
Link to Amazon Triangle powder puffs:
3) WHY NOT TAKE UP A NEW SKILL…WHILE SAVING SOME EXTRA COINS
Hair…hair…hair! Always something that is on the back of our minds. Planning months in advance to plan what it gonna be our hair schedule so we are always trying something new and never overlapping. The fun is in the possibilities when it come to our beautiful curls, yet that is also the scary part. There are so many options that you end up scrolling through Pinterest for “protective hairstyles for black girls”. But in between that time you’re looking for inspiration, try to challenge yourself by learning to do your own hairstyles. This is something that I have picked up through quarantine during Covid-19 back in 2020. Yet even still 2 years later, I haven’t paid anyone to do my hair for me and have done over 10 different protective styles. Each style that ranged from knotless braids, to locs, to even goddess locs it was been one of those crazy experiences I am so proud to have gone through. Each hairstyle I have done usually cost $30-$40 total with all hair included and the occasional purchase of more gel. But with each time, I get a little faster and cleaner with my work (lol still need to work on my parting). But I have probably saved over $600 these past 2 years of doing it myself. And honestly no one even notices the difference from my work to a possible professional braids. My work lasting just as long as if someone else had did it. Although it is time-consuming, stay patient and watch as many Youtube videos as you can to learn something you never thought was possible.
4) a FACIAL RAZoR MAY SOUND SCARY BUT CAN TAKE YOUR MAKEUP UP A LEVEL
I know we already talked about a makeup hack that is less than $6, but what about $3. That’s the case with the facial razors that can be purchases at all stores (my personal favor being Target). Getting a pack of 2 for $3, you can use these to get all the peach fuzz, small growing whiskers on your top lip, and even clean up on your eyebrows in between eyebrow threading appointments. One major tip I would have for you would to go slow with anything you are shaving because you don’t wanna go crazy and shave down some of your baby hairs like I have done in the past (don’t worry they grew back, lol). And please ladies remember although these are are small, they are still razors, meaning that they are still very sharp and cut you. Remember stay hygienic I advise you switch out the razor regularly to reduce the possibility of bacteria. Although this tip isn’t the sexiest, it is something that can make your face look A1 with or without makeup.
5) PRESS-ON NAILS CAN BE YOUR BEST FRIEND!
Now to my favorite tip! Anyone that knows me knows I love a good press-on nail. I use them constantly, wearing them more than acrylic. They are so much more than what you find in the aisle at Walmart. Through Covid, I realized just how many people create businesses for custom press on nails but either way it depends on your application that can make the difference on if they stay for just a day or 2 weeks. You can either use the provided sticky tabs that I don’t recommend unless you need them for just the night. But other than that, just like a real salon you’re gonna need to make sure you: 1. buff your nail to create an even base; 2. wipe down with nail polish remover to get rid of any dust or dirt; 3. apply the glue on BOTH the press-on and your nail’ 4. enjoy your new fresh set! I have also seen options to use poly gel and UV lights to solidify the nail like when you get gel at salon. Personally I don’t know much about it and would like to try it soon. But even still before you jump the gun and get a $70+ tip acrylic set, do some research to try to find something, you may a company that makes great quality nails and follow my lead and purchase 4 sets so you have you nails planned for the next couple months.
Link to some of my favorite press-on companies: