Back-to-School Beauty Tips

Heading back-to-school is a great time to refresh or restart that beauty routine, whether you're a high schooler, college student, or teacher. It's important to choose products that help you feel and look your best through long days, and a routine that doesn't take too much time on busy mornings. Here are our best back-to-school beauty tips, from quick, low-maintenance hairstyles to a skincare routine that helps you get healthy, glowing skin.

Quick hairstyles for hectic mornings

Early class? No problem! Here are some hairstyle ideas that will help you look put together but get out the door quickly.

• Ponytail: It's a classic for a reason, right? Sleek, messy, high, or low, ponytails are a quick, easy way to look styled and put together in minutes. Style it with a cute hair tie or scrunchie for some extra fun.

• Bun: Whether you want a sleek ballerina bun or pull your hair up in a messy bun, a bun is also a great way to look put together in minutes. A scarf, scrunchie, or some fun bobby pins in your hair can elevate the look.

• Braid: If your hair is long, the sky's the limit: French braids, braided pigtails, and a classic three-strand brand are all great choices. For a cute look when you're short on time, flip your braided pigtails up around the crown of your head into Dutch or milkmaid braids, pin in place, and voila--a cute style that will last all day.

• Half-up: For when most of your hair looks okay, but maybe those front pieces aren't cooperating. Pull it back in a braid, messy bun, or just pull the front pieces back with a cute claw clip.

• Heatless styles: This requires overnight prep, but the payoff is good. If you want waves or curls but don't have time for heated styles in the morning, try an overnight heatless style. You can purchase kits to help with heatless styles online or in most stores, but you can also use what you've got at home to create beautiful hair without heat.

  • Braided waves: You can spritz your hair with a little water (optional), and do classic three-strand braided pigtails before you go to bed. Tug on the braids just a little (called "pancaking") so they're not too tight, and when you wake up in the morning, you'll have lovely waves. Loosen them up a little if you want by flipping your hair over or add some texturizing spray, spritz with hairspray, and you're good to go.

  • Space buns: Yep, you might feel like Princess Leia overnight, but your hair will be gorgeous in the morning. Part your hair down the center and pull half of it up into a ponytail on top of your head (don't tie it). Twist your hair into a bun, secure with a hair tie, and wrap a scrunchie loosely around the bun to protect it from getting frizzy. Repeat on the other side. In the morning, remove the scrunchies and hair ties, flip your hair out to loosen the waves, volumize and hairspray as necessary, and you're out the door.

  • The Gibson tuck: This classic 1940s hairdo, while cute (and a fairly quick style) in its own right, is great for overnight curls. You'll need a stretchy circular headband. Put it around your head, leaving your hair untucked (don't pull it through like you normally would). Starting on one side, take a small section of hair and pull it over and behind the headband (so it wraps around the band). Tug it as taut as you can, then grab the small section next to the one you just wrapped and continue the process, working your way around your head until all your hair is wrapped around the band. In the morning, untuck your hair, shake it out, and spray as needed.

  • The sock method: The sock method, while a little goofier-looking overnight than the other methods, yields some pretty great results. Depending on your hair's thickness, it's usually best to divide it into 3-5 sections: one for the front pieces, two for the sides, and two for the back. You can add more if needed. All you do? Grab some old pairs of socks and a couple of hair ties. Start with your top section (gather your front pieces) and lay them flat under the sock. Roll your hair up horizontally in the sock as tightly as you want, and when you get to your scalp, wrap a hair tie around the two ends of the sock. Repeat for the other sections. In the morning, untie and unwrap the socks, shake out your curls, and spray as needed. You're good to go!

Investing in some good dry shampoo will help you get volume on those days you don't have time to wash. Claw clips, headbands, and scrunchies are cute ways to help take a simple look to the next level. If you really don't like doing your hair, consider a shorter cut, like a textured bob, long layers, or styles that air dry well so you don't have to fuss at all in the morning. Choosing a hair care routine that embraces your hair's natural texture (curly, wavy, straight) will also help speed things up because your hair will be healthy.

Quick makeup for busy mornings that lasts all day

You want to look your best, but don't have much time, and you want to make sure your makeup lasts all through the school day and whatever extracurricular activities you've got going on that day. There's not much time for a touch up. Whether you like the bare essentials or a little more glam, here are our suggestions for hard working products and a quick routine. Think about where you want to spend your time: do you want your skin to look flawless, or do you prefer doing a fun eye look every day? Mix and match any of these products to create your signature look in the time you have.

• Foundation: Tinted moisturizers and BB or CC creams are forgiving and can even out your skin tone in a snap. You don't have to worry much about blending, and if you really don't have any time, you can forgo the brush or sponge and apply the product with your fingers. Prep your skin with a long-lasting primer to help your makeup stay. If you have more time, long-wear foundations can make the skin look great and cover up imperfections you may want to hide.

• Concealer: Don't feel like foundation? Dot a little concealer in the areas you feel you need it most: under the eyes, on any blemishes, etc., and enjoy your natural skin. Add a luminous primer to give your skin a little glow while letting your natural radiance shine through.

• Brows: Your brows frame your face, so giving them a little attention in the morning can go a long way. Whether you do a laminated brow look or fill in with some pencil, your brow routine doesn't have to take a long time. Fill in any bare spots if needed to add some extra shape and set with your favorite brow wax or gel.

• Cheeks: Add a little color to your face with some blush! Cream or serum blushes are quick and easy to use on busy mornings. Just swipe some color on, blend, and go. Sometimes they can also double as lip color, giving you two for the price of one.

• Eyes: Minimal eye makeup might look like a shadow stick in a neutral color and some mascara (or just mascara). You may choose no eye makeup at all, and that's absolutely fine. If you want an eye look but don't have much time, neutrals will be most forgiving. Creamy eyeshadow sticks will be your best friend. Add a little eyeliner in your preferred format (liquid, gel, pencil, etc.) and swipe on some mascara.

• Lips: You've got options, depending on the look you're going for. If you need your lipstick to last and don't want to reapply the color all day long, go for a long-wear lipstick. These are usually liquid that dry down to a matte finish. If you just want something casual, opt for a tinted lip balm to keep your lips moisturized while giving them a hint of color.

• Make it last: You don't want all your hard work to disappear the minute you start to sweat! We definitely recommend a primer and using a setting spray or setting powder to lock your look in place.

Building a good foundation: skincare tips for the new school year

Don't know your skin type? Learn more here. With any skincare routine, what's most important is to have products that you like and use consistently rather than adding a ton of options to your bathroom cabinet.

• Back to basics: Start with a cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen. These three products will keep your skin healthy without adding extra stress to your morning routine. If you're acne prone, look for cleansers and moisturizers that help prevent breakouts.

• Blemish busters: Got a breakout? Acne patches come in all sorts of cute colors and shapes that you can put over that pimple at night and during the school day to help protect and treat your breakout. If you don't love wearing acne patches during the day, treat your breakout with an acne-fighting serum after you cleanse.

• Nighttime nourishment: If you want, add an extra step at night. A gentle exfoliator or a serum will help add beneficial nutrients to your skin.

• Remove that makeup: Yes, you need to take off your makeup at night. Invest in some makeup erasers or makeup wipes to remove foundation and blush, and use an eye makeup remover or some micellar water for eye makeup. Follow it up with your cleanser and moisturizer.

The more you take the time to do your regular skincare routine, the more your skin will thank you for it. Your routine doesn't need to be complicated: stick with a few simple products and you'll be rewarded with healthy, glowing skin.

Nail care routines for a polished look (no pun intended)

Okay, so you aren't going to be doing your nails in the morning (most likely), but your nails may need some extra TLC. Taking the time over the weekend or in the evening will help you feel polished and put together.

• Trim and file: Yep, trimming and shaping your nails is a great form of self-care and will help you feel more put together. Even if this is all you do, your nails will look well cared for.

• Moisturize: Especially at night, but if you can during the day, apply some cuticle oil or cream and hand lotion. Hydrated cuticles and hands help polish last longer. If you need, add a quick swipe of a nourishing base coat instead of color to protect your nail beds and help them stay strong.

• Add some color: Want to add some color? If you need quick options, press-ons and nail polish stickers come in a variety of colors and patterns. These will have you out the door in 10-20 minutes with no dry time, and they usually last at least a week. If you need some self-care time, play around with polish! Pop on your favorite movie or TV show and paint your nails. Make sure to use a base coat so the color doesn't stain your nails, and use a top coat to seal in your hard work. Add embellishments like stickers, glitter, and more to amp up your manicure.

Beauty doesn't have to take a lot of time, and your routine can and should be tailored to your schedule, budget, and lifestyle. Drugstore brands offer great quality products, and keep some seasonal items in rotation if you like changing up colors and finishes with the seasons. For hair, nail, facial, waxing and makeup services, call Salon Patrice at (815) 223-8643 or find all of our services here.