Bookmark These Back-to-School Makeup Looks for Stress-Free Weekday Mornings

August 15, 2022

By: Makeup.com | Makeup.com by L'Oréal

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If you haven’t been to an Ulta lately (or visited the Ulta website), here’s your cue to run to the nearest location (or, um, pull up a new tab). The beauty destination has every L'Oréal product you need for your back-to-school beauty routine — no matter if you’re planning on making floating eyeliner your signature or fully leaning into the buzzy Y2K aesthetic with high-shine lip gloss. (P.S. You won’t want to miss out on the store’s skincare and hair-care selection either.)

If you don’t already have a go-to daily look or makeup tutorial though, we know it can be overwhelming to not only create one, but also shop for all the items you’ll need to complete it. So, to help you out, we rounded up a few makeup trends worth trying out for your back-to-school debut, plus the products and application tips you’ll need to create the look yourself.

Glazed Skin

In our opinion, matte is never not in, but dewy, glowy skin is certainly sticking around for the back-to-school season. While there’s a bevy of ways to get the look, you’ll want to start with completing your full skincare routine, which likely consists of cleansing, applying any serums or treatments specific to your skin type or concerns, moisturizing, and of course, applying sunscreen. If preventing and treating breakouts is on your mind this school year and you have blemish-prone skin, we recommend checking out the IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Breakout Salicylic Acid Acne Serum. Formulated with a mix of salicylic acid, lactic acid and postbiotic ferment, this treatment is designed to help clear up breakouts, exfoliate and calm the skin, leaving you with a clearer, smoother complexion.

Then, we like moving onto applying a primer that helps create a soft-focus glow, like the NYX Professional Makeup Marshmellow Smoothing Primer, followed by a lightweight foundation with either a natural or radiant finish. We’re currently loving the L'Oréal Paris True Match Nude Hyaluronic Tinted Serum. It’s infused with hyaluronic acid to help hydrate the skin and mineral pigments that create a glowy finish. This product pairs well with the Maybelline New York Fit Me Concealer, a lightweight, oil-free formula that provides natural-looking coverage and is super easy to blend. Its precise applicator is great for targeting specific areas that need more coverage. Finish off the look with a dose of dewy highlighter and a glossy lip.

Voluminous Lashes

While falsies are a surefire way to get voluminous eyelashes, not everyone has the time or patience to apply them before heading out the door for class. That’s where the right tube of mascara comes in handy. We’re loving the Lancôme Lash Idôle Lash-Lifting & Volumizing Mascara because it helps add lash density and provides an impressive lifting effect. If swiping a mascara wand through your bottom lashes always results in smears you have to clean up, consider checking out that viral mascara-and-tweezers TikTok hack, which helps add volume and a ‘60s vibe to your lower lash line.

High-Shine, Glossy Lipstick

High-shine lips are perfect for making a bold makeup statement in a flash, which is ideal for those of us who inevitably press snooze at least two times before rolling out of bed in the morning. If this trend screams you, reach for the Maybelline New York Super Stay Vinyl Ink Liquid Lipcolor, which creates a shiny, vinyl-like finish and delivers high-impact color that stays in place for up to 16 hours — so through all your study break coffee and snacks. Available in 10 different colors, you’re sure to discover your signature. (Beauty influencer @mexicanbutjapanese is actually using it in the video above.)

Colorful Floating Eyeliner

Graphic, abstract eyeliner is coming in hot this fall — and one of the simplest ways to try out the aesthetic is through floating eyeliner. We love creating floating eyeliner looks with the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil because the formula, yes, glides over the skin with ease and is available in over 35 high-impact colors. After finishing any graphic eye, you’ll want to spritz on a finishing spray to lock everything in place — the Urban Decay All-Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray is a smudge-proof classic.

Two-Toned Eyes

Not sure what eyeshadow or eyeliner shade to wear on the first day of school? Why not choose your top two favorites? Use this creation as your inspiration. We love how @notkyraslooks paired the two-toned look with a neutral, slightly glossy lip, too. Our favorite product for acing a natural lip with a glowy, slightly shiny finish is the L'Oréal Paris Glow Paradise Balm-in-Lipstick. The balm, which is formulated with 92% natural ingredients, imparts a veil of pretty color while delivering essential moisture for smoother, healthier lips. Trust, you’ll want to throw all eight colors in your Ulta shopping cart.

Photo courtesy of L'Oréal