Back to School Awards 2017: Best Beauty Products
This year for our second annual Back to School Awards, we wanted to make sure you were totally covered — from head to toe, floor to ceiling, and just about everywhere in between. (And, oh yes, we mean everywhere…our Wellness list covers off on just about everything.) Looking for a backpack? We got you. Looking for a cheaper backpack? We got that, too. And what about dorm décor that will be as stylish as your latest ‘fit? We’ve got it all. Flip through to see the products our editors chose as the official winners of Teen Vogue’s 2017 Back to School Awards, and get a headstart on your shopping like a good student.
Courtesy of Bed Bath and Beyond1/30Best Shower Caddy
TBH, your dorm shower experience is probably going to be vastly different than what you’re used to, so we’d recommend using your bath bombs while there’s still time. But! You can maximize your new shower situation with the help of this mesh tote, which has plenty of different pockets for storage and won’t breed mildew like a plastic caddy.
Bed Bath and Beyond Mesh Shower Tote, $9.99. bedbathandbeyond.com
2/30Best Loofah/Body Cleanser
Multitasking beauty products? Always a good idea. This two-sided, soap-packed exfoliating and smoothing loofah lathers when wet and leaves your skin so smooth. Hang it up to dry when you're done and enjoy those few extra minutes you saved in the shower.
Olay Duo Dual-Sided Body Cleanser, $9.73. walmart.com
Courtesy of Schick3/30Best Razors
The Quattro razor's four stacked blades give you an extra-fast, extra-close shave. You probably won’t spend too much time examining the curvature of the cartridge, but just know that it’s specifically designed to cut down on nicks and scrapes.
Schick Quattro YOU, $9.99. target.com
Courtesy of Dove4/30Best Bar Soap
Don’t call it a soap; it’s actually a beauty bar. Dove’s soap-shaped cleanser contains additional ingredients that help moisturize your face while preventing skin barrier damage, so you’ll have far fewer breakouts and dry patches. Plus, you can sub it in for your shower gel, too, if you’re not in the mood to tote multiple bottles to your dorm bathroom. (It happens.)
Dove White Beauty Bar, $6.88. walmart.com
Courtesy of SHHHOWERCAP's5/30Best Shower Cap
This ingenious shower cap is basically begging you to skip shampoo for a day — or three. Unlike traditional shower caps of years past, this one completely seals off moisture without leaving any kind of red mark on your forehead. Even your baby hairs won’t get wet! The unique, innovative fabric is antibacterial and 100% waterproof.
SHHHOWERCAP's Shhhowercap, $43. sephora.com
Courtesy of L'Oréal Paris6/30Best Value Hair Duo for Chemically Treated Hair
If you basically sacrificed time, money, and the health of your hair for blorange or white blonde — or even highlights! — why let the shade fade? Hot tools, UV rays, and even the water in your shower can dull the brightest strands, but this duo strengthens damaged strands and protects them from UV damage, gently cleansing and conditioning to leave your color intact and your hair stronger than ever.
L'Oréal Paris EverPure Repair & Defend Shampoo and Conditioner, $6.99, $5.99. target.com
7/30Best Value Hair Duo for Natural Hair
If your curls need a little TLC to help bring back their springiness, this cleansing conditioner is perfect for you. The no-lather elixir rinses away impurities while depositing moisture from root to tip. After every shower session, you won’t be able to resist raking your fingers through your soft, shiny curls — trust us.
Carol's Daughter Hair Milk Cleansing Conditioner, $12. carolsdaughter.com
Courtesy of Herbal Essences8/30Best Value Hair Duo for Thick Hair
This shampoo and conditioner combo is specially formulated to work from the inside out to tame frizz and make voluminous hair silky soft and more manageable. In other words, you can finally skip out on heavy smoothing crèmes. Even better: You won’t have to spend hours straightening your strands into submission again.
Herbal Essences Golden Moringa Oil Smooth Shampoo and Conditioner, $5.99 each. target.com
Courtesy of Pantene9/30Best Value Hair Duo for Fine Hair
Plumping up fine strands without dousing your head in a million different products can seem impossible, but this shampoo and conditioner duo from Pantene combats volume loss at the root — literally. A special blend of antioxidants strengthens strands from the core to prevent against damage, so hair looks and feels fuller without loading up on mousses, texturizers, and all of the other gunk you dread washing out in the first place.
Pantene Pro-V Full and Strong Body Building Shampoo and Conditioner, $4.79 each. walgreens.com
Courtesy of Cetaphil10/30Best Value Face Wash
In the face of heating, cooling, bubbling, and exfoliating cleansers, Cetaphil remains unruffled. It knows that it has one job — washing your face without irritating it — and it does it well. The unscented formula never strips skin and works all-year-round, so the big bottle is definitely your best choice.
Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser, $14.49. ulta.com
Courtesy of Caress11/30Best Value Body Wash
It’s pretty difficult to indulge in a spa experience when you’re living in a dorm, but this rich, silky body wash transports you there, if you close your eyes. Warm notes of rose, iris, sandalwood, and geranium mix to make you feel super luxe, even if your living arrangements are quite the opposite.
Caress Daily Silk Body Wash, $3.97. walmart.com
Courtesy of Simple12/30Best Makeup Remover Wipes
Visiting a friend for the weekend? Leave your skincare staples in your medicine cabinet and throw these wipes in your bag. One swipe over your face removes makeup and acts as an instantly refreshing pick-me-up when there are no sinks in sight.
Simple Kind to Skin Cleansing Facial Wipes, $5.99. ulta.com
Courtesy of Pond's13/30Best Makeup Remover
The last thing you want to do after a full day of classes is a 10-step skincare routine. But, before you collapse into bed, at least take off your makeup. This classic cleanser melts away everything — from waterproof mascara to long-wear foundation — and leaves your skin glowy and hydrated.
Pond's Cold Cream Cleanser, $4.99. target.com
Courtesy of Neutrogena14/30Best Spot Treatment
It’s a known fact that pimples like to invite themselves over to your complexion when they’re least wanted. Neutrogena’s gel is your drugstore hero for those occasions; just dab on a thin layer and watch it work its magic. The high concentration of benzoyl peroxide dives deep into your skin to clear up those won’t-let-go zits.
Neutrogena Rapid Clear Stubborn Acne Gel, $9.49. ulta.com
Courtesy of Aveeno15/30Best Value Body Lotion
Leave it to Aveeno to convince you to rub oatmeal-infused lotion all over your body. But, it’s a classic for good reason: The soothing formula hydrates even the most dry, cracked skin, and the fact that it ditches fragrance entirely means it’s perfect for sensitive skin.
Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion, $8.52. amazon.com
Courtesy of Degree16/30Best Deodorant
You may have used rub-on deodorants for years (all while cursing the white marks they inevitably leave on your clothes), but consider switching over to this spray. The antiperspirant goes on completely clear, dries immediately, and won’t wreck that new black tee you had to buy to replace the ruined one.
Degree Ultraclear Black + White Pure Clean Dry Spray Antiperspirant Deodorant, $4.97. walmart.com
Courtesy of JOY17/30Best Makeup Organizer
College equals crammed quarters. Since you likely won’t have a full-blown vanity to spread out all of your makeup must-haves, store them smartly with this 4-pouch case. That means the days of digging through — then dumping out — your tiny, overcrowded makeup bag in search of a single lip balm will be a distant memory.
JOY Big Better Beauty Case Deluxe Set, $59.95. hsn.com
Courtesy of S.O.HO. New York18/30Best Nail Polish Organizer
One of the best ways to mentally unwind after a full day of classes or take a break from a study session is treating your tips to an at-home mani. This clear stadium (which holds 25 total polishes!) makes it extra easy to choose your next shade. And, hey, if you don’t have enough polishes to fill it to the top, you now have a pretty good excuse to stock up on even more.
S.O.HO. New York Nail Stadium Acrylic, $25.99. shopstyle.com
Courtesy of Chapstick19/30Best Lip Balm
These tinted balms cost less than a latte and come in a range of face-flattering shades. The hydrating formula gives your lips the prettiest, dewy finish, and the ingredients will keep your pout moisturized all day long.
ChapStick Total Hydration Moisture + Tint, $4.99. target.com
Courtesy of Goody20/30Best Hair Ties
Why is it that hair ties seem to go missing faster than all that money we made from our summer jobs? Luckily, this jumbo pack contains enough elastics to keep hair in place for an entire semester. Plus, it’s super affordable and doesn’t contain any awkward metal fastenings that might snag your strands.
Goody Ouchless Elastics, $4.03. walmart.com
Courtesy of TKEES21/30Best Shower Flip Flops
Foam flip-flops are a dorm shower staple, but they’re quick to turn gross after repeated use. These ones, on the other hand, basically repel water instead of soaking it all in, thanks to the brand’s clever 100% waterproof design.
TKEES Beach Flip Flops, $36. www.tkees.com
Courtesy of Tweezerman22/30Best Nail/Grooming Kit
Nothing is more distracting than staring at frayed cuticles during a three-hour lecture, but try not to pick them. (It's actually really unhealthy!) Instead, chuck this in your bag. You’ll be so happy you did.
Tweezerman Mini Nail Rescue Kit, $22. sephora.com
Courtesy of The Body Shop23/30Best Hand Sanitizer
Back-to-school time means hangouts with friends, group study sessions, and trips around campus. It also means coming into contact with a lot of germs. This hand sanitizer fits in your purse AND smells amazing.
The Body Shop Satsuma Antibacterial Hand Sanitizer, $5. thebodyshop.com
Courtesy of Infiniti24/30Best Hairdryer
Give yourself a DIY blowout with this drugstore diamond. The latest technology ensures shiny strands in record time. Plus, it’s super quiet, allowing your roommates to sleep while you’re on your way to a good hair day.
Infiniti Pro by Conair 3Q Heat Protect Styling Tool, $79.30. amazon.com
Courtesy of Bed Head25/30Best Curler
Wrap sections of hair around this clamp-free tool for instant beachy waves. Then, spritz with a salt spray and imagine an island getaway. You may be in school, but your mane is definitely on vacation.
Bed Head Rock-n-Roller 2-in-1 Bubble Curling Iron Wand, $18.19. target.com
Courtesy of CHI26/30Best Hair Straightener
A good flat iron is a necessary investment and this one is at the top of its game. To get best results, start with a heat protectant, make sure hair is bone dry, then section it off and start straightening. And don’t limit your tool’s potential — if you bend them the right way, flat irons can also create the prettiest curls.
CHI Ceramic 1” inch Hairstyling Iron, $99.95. ulta.com
Courtesy of Colgate27/30Best Toothbrush
A good toothbrush doesn’t necessarily have to whirl, spin, or perform acrobatics, but it should have a tongue scraper on the back. The two-in-one design ensures you’re cleaning as much breath-muddling bacteria off your tongue as possible. Once you’re done brushing, simply flip the brush over and pass it back and forth over your tongue for minty freshness.
Colgate 360 Optic White Soft Powered Toothbrush, $5.96. walmart.com
Courtesy of Sensodyne28/30Best Toothpaste
If you have sensitive teeth, this toothpaste provides a smart fix, polishing and strengthening your enamel while freshening your breath. The formula actually gets inside your teeth to calm the nerves inside, so you won’t start internally screaming every time you drink something too hot or too cold.
Sensodyne Deep Clean Toothpaste, $5.22. amazon.com
Courtesy of Listerine29/30Best Mouth Wash
When you hit snooze a few too many times, your mouthwash will save the day. This super-minty formula also helps prevent cavities! Gargle a mouthful and no one will ever know your secret.
Listerine Total Care Zero Alcohol Anticavity Mouthwash, $5.99. walmart.com
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