Let's face it. In college, there is never enough time to sleep. between classes, homework, studying, and social commitments. My parents are constantly on my back about getting to bed earlier when I’m at school. At this point, I’ve accepted the fact that it’s nearly impossible for me to get to bed before midnight while in college. However, my lack of sleep certainly shows itself in a variety of ways.
“You look so tired,” I hear from friends, and even professors, at times. I know that their sentiment is expressed to show their overall concern, but in truth, sometimes it feels like an insult. In the past year or so, especially since I started working for the campus newspaper, I have taken measures in my daily beauty routine to ensure that signs of stress and exhaustion aren’t clearly evident on my face. There are tons of miraculous products out there created for this purpose.
While I don’t want to tell you where to get your products, as this is your decision and I’m not trying to market for stores, but Target.com is a great way to go. They have free shipping for purchases of $25 and up and free shipping on all purchases for Red Card holders. All you’ll need to do to get your plethora of beauty products is simply stop by the campus Mailing Center in Hagan Center sometime before 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. This saves you time, gas money, and perhaps having to find a friend with a car, to take you to the store.
1. Garnier Fructis: Skin Renew Anti-Puff Eye Rollerball
This amazing product comes in a convenient, cute rollerball stick. It uses natural elements, including caffeine and mint extracts, to reduce your under-eye puffiness due to a lack of sleep, a night of partying (or crying), or stress. Simply roll it on your undereye area following your facial cleansing or shower in the morning. I suggest putting it on about 10 minutes before applying makeup to ensure that it has time to work and that it won’t react with your makeup. It doesn't clog pores or have any undesirable effects or chemicals, and I've honestly found that using it makes me feel more awake as well as look more awake, but results may vary.
Price: $9.89
Health Facts: Hypoallergenic, Unscented
2. Not Your Mother’s: Clean Freak Refreshing Dry Shampoo
This amazing product will help give your hair volume and make it look more polished and less ignored, in the midst of finals, trying to make newspaper and online magazine deadlines, or for days when your morning shower is stolen from you because you have to meet with a professor or attend something early. From a chemical standpoint, this product is basically a spray-on powder. Before dry shampoo became a popular thing to use, people used a dime-sized amount of baby powder and massaged it into the roots. Please note, when you use this product, you should be sure to shake it first. Also, if you have blonde hair, you can use more, but if you have darker hair, you should be careful how much you use, as it can make your hair appear whitish if you go overboard. One final disclaimer is that, of course, dry shampoo is great for when you’re in a pinch, but you can't use it to replace actually washing your hair. If you do, you can get a scalp build-up that can give you skin issues along your hairline. An itchy scalp will certainly not make your stressful college days any more successful.
3. Physician’s Formula: Mineral Airbrushing Bronzer, SPF 30
The best way to make your skin look less colorless from a lack of sleep or stress is to use bronzer. Many think that bronzer should only be used during the summer, but this is a myth. Bronzer, when used correctly, and not in a way that makes your face look like a pumpkin, gives your face that natural glow that is supposedly achieved with a full night’s sleep. It gives your cheeks that young, bright vitality that it lacks during college days. One important thing to keep in mind when using bronzer is that you should never go too heavy with it. Get a brush with soft, high-quality bristles that allows you to dust a light amount on your forehead, both cheeks (I like to smile while I put on bronzer, it helps me figure out where my dimples are and how to make them pop without looking awful), a fast swipe over your nose, and a few swipes on your chin.
Beauty Purpose: Brightening skin
Color Palette: Light Tones
Color Family: Nude will work on all Caucasian, Latina and Asian skin tones. Results may vary.
Please note: Women with darker skin tones should check out this awesome article about bronzers made for women with cocoa skin tones from Clutch Magazine.
