16 Back-to-School Beauty Items to Keep in Your Backpack

Whether you are racing to make it to school on time or are already walking the hallways, one thing is for sure – your backpack is about to become the most precious sidekick. Let’s be real, backpacks are not just for textbooks, cute stationery, and electronics anymore. They also serve as our portable beauty HQ – our personal freshening-up station that equips us for whatever the school day throws our way.

We’ve all been there, right? You’ve picked out the perfect back-to-school outfit, and then you get that midday oily T-zone moment, and you suddenly feel too shiny. Perhaps there’s the unexpected sudden weather shift that turns your perfectly styled hair into a frizzy frenzy, or your hands just feel a little too sticky to focus on your actual classes. And don’t even get us started on those perpetually chapped lips that just won’t quit! School days are truly a marathon, and not a sprint, but it shouldn’t mean that all your morning beauty routine efforts clock out before lunch. And that is where it is crucial you have some key beauty products with you to feel your absolute best all day, regardless of what comes your way.

Not sure where to start with what beauty items to pack in your backpack? Lucky for you that you don’t need to lug around your entire vanity! You just need a cute carry-all bag (like this Buttermilk Accessories one or this Calpak, if you want to go over-the-top) packed with the true beauty essentials. From keeping your body fresh, face flawless, hair tamed, and lips perfectly pouty – here are some of our ultimate beauty item picks for your backpack, in case you need some inspo:

Sometimes all you need is a quick reset after sprinting to class or post-PE, or a post-lunch hand sanitizer situation. Regardless, your backpack should contain at least a few body beauty essentials that will keep you fresh all day. ICYMI: fragrances are also essential and can help you stand out in a crowd, and you can even make them last longer depending on how you apply them.

Midday shine can sneak up on anyone, but your face deserves to stay flawless until the very last bell of the day. You never know, you may need to reach into your backpack for a little spritz to refresh, or you may need to reapply some serum, moisturizer, or sunscreen. It is better to stash (in your beauty backup backpack) than to be sorry.

Whether you have three-tiered layers or a jawline bob, when the humidity hits, sometimes taming the unexpected flyaways feels deflating. Even outside of frizz, we all could always use an instant volume boost between lectures. Let’s keep those locks locked in, strands sleek, and curls bouncy!

There is nothing quite like mastering your lip combo. That also means that nothing brings down a fresh face faster than dry, sad lips. Luckily, a quick swipe of your favorite balm, gloss, or tint from your beauty backpack stash can instantly revive your pout and make you feel totally put-together.