Say hello to the brilliant beauty buys you won’t want to leave home without
As September approaches, we’re saying goodbye to summer and hello to a new term of university. And although we’ll miss swanning about in the sunshine, we're actually pretty excited for the thrill of a new term – meeting new friends, joining exciting clubs and generally living our best lives.
However, university isn’t without its stresses. Between exams, juggling finances and untidy housemates, there’s always more than a few things to grapple with, whether you’re a fresher or in your final year.
One thing you shouldn’t stress about? Your uni bag. And to help, we’ve collated our favourite uni bag beauty essentials, from the everyday shower gel that’ll leave you squeaky clean, to the long-lasting foundation that’ll have you looking fresh after one (or two) too many in the Students’ Union. So, head to Boots and get ready to fill up your tote bag. You’ll be arriving at university with all the bits you’ll need and more – without having broken the bank.
Also, don’t forget students enjoy 10% Student Discount with your Advantage Card, find out more here: https://www.boots.com/student-discount
Terms & conditions apply. For full terms & conditions please visit: https://www.boots.com/student-discount
Best uni bag essentials
For underarm protection
Try: Wild Limited Edition Case and Coconut Vanilla Deodorant Refill
• Size: 40g
• 1 x limited edition case
• 1 x coconut vanilla deodorant refill
• Dermatologically-tested
• Free from artificial fragrances
• Zero plastic
• Cruelty-free
Those exams got you sweating? Wild has your back with a set that’ll protect against unpleasant odour while protecting the planet. Not only does it include a plastic-free refillable applicator that’s completely compostable, but it has a coconut vanilla deodorant that’s gentle on skin and tough on sweat, too. It even looks the part with a stylish design that you’ll be happy to show around campus.
For a scent-sational term
Try: Kayali Vanilla 28 Eau de Parfum 10ml
• Size: 10ml
• Fragrance family: Warm & spicy
You’ll turn heads as soon as you step in the halls wearing this irresistible Kayali Eau de Parfum. Blending rich vanilla, warm brown sugar and velvety tonka, it has an enchanting aroma that you just can’t ignore. The perfect conversation starter, everyone will be wondering what you’re wearing, whether it’s alone or layered with your other favourite fragrances.
For freshening up
Try: Boots Biodegradable Moisturising Cleansing Wipes
• Size: 25 wipes
• Cruelty-free
• Plastic-free
Perfect for wiping away a long day of studying, or the aftermath of another student night, these biodegradable cleansing wipes will refresh your skin while removing even waterproof make-up. An environmentally friendly solution to skincare, they gently remove excess oils and impurities while moisturising, leaving you fresh-faced and ready for round two.
For a smooth start
Try: Estrid Shave Gel
• Size: 200ml
• Suitable for sensitive skin
Get ready to face the day with a comfortable, soothing shave thanks to Estrid’s Ultimate Shave Gel. A gel-to-cream formula infused with shea butter, niacinamide and sea moss extract, it nourishes and hydrates every time, even if you have sensitive skin. The best part? You’ll get the perfect glide without clogging your razor, so you’ll have no more irritation, just super-smooth skin.
For a steal of a shave
Try: Boots Smooth Care Sensitive Shave Gel
• Size: 200ml
• Dermatologically-tested
• Suitable for sensitive skin
• Cruelty-free
• Vegan*
This Boots essential offers an amazing shave at an amazing price. Enriched with aloe vera and vitamin E for soft, smooth results, it minimises irritation, even on sensitive skin. No matter if you’re prepping for a night out, or you just want hair-free legs for wearing a skirt to your lecture, this is the shave gel you can always turn to, even on a student budget.
For the full kit
Try: Estrid Starter Kit - Bloom
• 2 x cartridges
• 1 x razor handle
• 1 x razor wall holder
• Vegan* hydration strip
• Suitable for all skin types
Make things easy this semester with this Estrid shaving starter kit. Complete with an ergonomic handle, handy wall holder and two cartridges, it has everything you need for the first couple of weeks, perfect for seeing you through Freshers’. Designed with sensitive skin in mind, this set was made to give the smoothest shave without any irritation.
Best for hair & body
For healthy locks
Try: Garnier Ultimate Blends Glowing Lengths Pineapple Hair Food Multi-Use Mask
• Size: 400ml
• Cruelty-free
• Vegan*
• Silicone-free
Give yourself (and your hair) a boost as you prep for the new term with Garnier’s Ultimate Blends hair mask. Featuring their best-rated formula made to nourish and moisturise, it brings your locks back to life, helping them look strong and shiny again. Expect your healthiest hair ever** as it leaves dull strands glowing and reduces split ends.
For everyday refreshment
Try: Boots Everyday Mango & Papaya Shower Gel
• Size: 250ml
• Cruelty-free
Whether you’ve been up late studying or on a big night out, a quick wash with this refreshing shower gel will have you ready for the lecture hall in no time. With exotic notes of papaya and mango extract, it’ll awaken your senses while leaving skin soft and revitalised.
For hair hydration
Try: MONDAY Haircare MOISTURE Shampoo
• Size: 350ml
• Dermatologically-tested
• Vegan*
• PETA certified: not tested on animals
• 100% recyclable bottle
Among the late nights and study overload, don’t forget to show your hair some TLC. Just use MONDAY Haircare’s MOISTURE shampoo and you’ll enjoy a gentle cleanse with every wash. Ideal for dry to stressed hair, it focuses on natural ingredients that nourish and add moisture, strengthening strands while supporting hair growth and a healthy scalp.
For that holiday glow
Try: Bondi Sands Technocolor Emerald 1 Hour Express Self Tanning Foam
• Size: 200ml
• Suitable for medium skin tones
• Fragrance-free
Head into the term looking like you’ve come straight from the beach with Bondi Sands’ Technocolor fake tan. Created with cutting-edge research, development, and laser skin analysis technology, it provides the perfect tan every time. Even better, it’s simple to apply and only takes one hour! Designed to go from a medium to olive tone, it also comes with a colour guide to help you counteract any sign of orange.
Best for skincare
For an unbeatable cleanse
Try: The INKEY List™ Oat Cleansing Balm
• Size: 150ml
• Suitable for all skin types
• Suitable for sensitive skin
Whatever the day throws at you, this luxurious cleansing balm will wipe it away. Not only does it clean and nourish, but it dissolves make-up too, making it the perfect all-in-one for your uni bag. Formulated with ceramides and soothing colloidal oatmeal, it even suits the most sensitive skin while supporting its natural barrier.
For banishing breakouts
Try: The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
• Size: 30ml
Bring this serum with you and leave breakouts back home. Made to tackle the appearance of enlarged pores and uneven skin tone, The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% regulates blemish-causing bacteria to offer a clearer complexion. Just use it in the morning and evening, and your skin will flourish in time for the new term.
For all-important SPF
Try: Garnier Vitamin C Daily UV Brightening Fluid SPF50+
• Size: 40ml
• SPF50+
• Suitable for face and neck
SPF is a must whether you’re inside a lecture hall or heading out for a study break. Not only does this daily moisturiser offer SPF50+ for the ultimate protection on your face and neck, but its vitamin C^ helps brighten skin too. Whatever your plans, apply this lightweight fluid every morning to prevent damage while getting that glow you love.
For thirsty skin
Try: Byoma Moisturizing Gel Cream
• Size: 50ml
• Dermatologically-tested
• Suitable for all skin types
• Alcohol and fragrance-free
• Cruelty-free
• Vegan*
To help you work at your best, your skin needs to work at its best – that’s where this lightweight, oil-free daily moisturiser from Byoma comes in. Made in a unique gel-cream texture that absorbs instantly, it gives targeted hydration to soften skin and give its barrier a boost.
Best for beauty
For that rosy look
Try: 17. Blush Drops
• Size: 15ml
• Suitable for all ages
• Vegan*
Whether it’s for everyday make-up or your next night out, these liquid blush drops add the perfect flush of colour. In a lightweight texture that delivers a gorgeous glow, a little goes a long way here, so you won’t have to spend your entire freshers’ fund on topping up your beauty bag.
For the ultimate base
Try: Fenty Beauty Soft'Lit Naturally Luminous Longwear Foundation
• Size: 32ml
• 50 shades
• Suitable for all skin types
Uni won’t just test you, but your make-up too, and this Fenty foundation is definitely graduating with honours! Creating a bright, hydrated, luminous look, without the greasy finish, it’ll easily take you from an early morning lecture to a late night at the SU. It’s lightweight, waterproof and long-lasting as well, so no matter if you’re in a stuffy classroom or on a humid dancefloor, it’ll battle the elements to improve skin tone and reduce shine.
For a beautiful blush
Try: Made by Mitchell Blursh Liquid Blusher
• Size: 6ml
• Suitable for all skin types
With all the other stresses, why not keep your make-up simple with this Made by Mitchell blusher? Perfect for all skin types, it’s packed with pigment to make it flattering on any skin tone. Not only that, but since it has a liquid to powder finish, it can be layered under or over your base make-up, so you can do your routine your way while simply enhancing your natural colour.
For a cool contour
Try: Milk Makeup Sculpt Stick Cream Contour Stick
• Size: 6g
• Cruelty-free
• Vegan*
Show off your best self with Milk Makeup’s Sculpt Stick – the ultimate contouring tool. Easy to use, it mimics the look of natural shadows to add instant depth and dimension. With a nourishing formula that seamlessly builds and blends, its cool colour works across a range of skin tones to always give a natural look. Plus, you get more than 1,000 swipes in every stick – perfect for any student budget.
For long-lasting make-up
Try: The Beauty Crop Oui Cherie Hydrating Gripping Primer
• Size: 20ml
• Suitable for all skin types
Go all the way from the lecture hall to the dancefloor with this primer from Oui Cherie. Using an oil-free formula nourished with cherry extract and hyaluronic acid, it offers all-day hydration as it sets your look. Apply before make-up and it’ll calm, soothe, plump and perfect, ready for whatever the day has to throw at you.
For a multi-tasking must-have
Try: LANEIGE Lip Glowy Balm
• Size: 10g
Skincare meets cosmetics in this Lip Glowy Balm from LANEIGE. Enriched with murumuru and shea butters, it hydrates as it adds shine and gives a natural-looking tinted finish. Made in a travel-friendly size with a mouth-watering flavour, you won’t want to go anywhere without it, whether that’s the campus or the club.
From the lecture hall to the library and beyond, here’s to a fabulous selection of essentials that’ll leave you looking as fresh as you feel.
