Backpack Essentials

In order to always feel put-together at school, come prepared! Part of feeling comfortable and confident at school is always having a bag of tricks in case something goes awry. Below are my backpack essentials!

Bandaids - Say you get a small cut during the day and don’t want to run all the way down to the nurse’s office with a bloody finger. All you have to do is pull one out of your backpack, and fix it right up. Your teachers will also greatly appreciate this as they won’t have to stop class to dig through drawers to find you a bandaid.

Lens wipes -- If you wear glasses like I do, then always make sure you have lens wipes. I have found that these are much better than kleenex because instead of smearing, they can actually wipe the lenses off.

Concealer - Imagine this: you are sitting in English class, and you start to feel a bit of pressure on your chin. You brush your finger over it, and you realize that a zit is starting to form. Instead of having a bright red bump the rest of the day, you run to the restroom and quickly cover it with a bit of concealer. Problem solved! Now you can go back to feeling confident, thanks to just a bit of concealer. 

Makeup remover wipes - These are especially important if you wear mascara, as it can sometimes droop under the eyes throughout the day. To avoid looking like a raccoon, put a pack of makeup remover wipes in your backpack to instantly touch up your look!

Lip gloss - Lip gloss is great when you need a touch of fabulous in your day. The right gloss can add an extra spring in your step, and make you feel much more confident. Toss your favorite in your bag and apply it whenever you need a little pick-me-up. My favorites are the Chanel Rouge Coco Gloss, Lucie + Pompette Lip Batter and Lipstick Queen Reign and Shine Lip Gloss.

Lip balm - I have very dry lips, and for some odd reason, they tend to get even dryer at school. In order to avoid chapped lips, I always carry a lip balm. My favorites are the Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment and the L’Occitane Shea Butter Lip Balm.

Mirror and powder compact - I always carry this old Chanel compact and powder that I got back in sixth grade. I may need to get a new one soon, since it’s most likely expired, but nonetheless, I don’t go anywhere without it. Like concealer, this helps to cover any unflattering flaws or spots. Powder is also great to matte out oily skin. If you ever notice that your forehead or nose is shiny during the day, just go to the bathroom and pull out your compact, apply a bit of powder, and voila, you will no longer look oily!

Hair brush - This is especially important if you tend to leave the house in a rush. I, admittedly inelegantly, brush my hair in the car once I’m parked at school. If I ever forget to brush it out, I just pull out a little brush and quickly touch up, and never have to spend the day walking around with tangled hair.

Deodorant - Again, this one is important if you tend to leave in a rush. We’ve all known since puberty hit that deodorant is essential for basic hygiene. However, if there is ever the rare chance that you forget to use it before you leave the house, keep an extra deodorant in your backpack just in case. That way, you won’t have to worry about stains in that new blouse or smelling horrible.

Hair ties --  I usually tie my hair up when taking a test, as it can get irritating to constantly push it back while trying to concentrate. Also, there is always going to be a friend who forgot one, so carry some extras for your girlfriends.

Nail file - Breaking your nail during school is one of the worst feelings -- especially if you break it in the morning, and then have to stare at the uneven nail for the rest of the day. To avoid this, and also catching your nail on your clothing, keep a nail file in your backpack. Unlike a clipper, you won’t have to worry about nail clippings. You can quickly get your desired shape back, and focus on school, not a broken nail.

Small wallet - Carry cash/card and an ID with you in case of an emergency. It’s always good to come prepared in case you need to buy a snack or bottle of water from the vending machine.

Tide stick - In case you ever happen to find a stain on your clothing, a tide stick works great to quickly and easily get it out. I even used one on a brand new white Tory Burch sweater on a class trip to Washington D.C. to get marinara sauce out, and it worked like a charm without me even having to run it through the wash right away.

Lotion -- I can’t live without lotion because dry hands are my worst enemy. There is nothing more uncomfortable than having cracked and chapped hands. I do put lotion on a little obsessively at school, especially during the winter, but I always have soft and moisturized hands. When finding a lotion for your backpack, make sure that you get one that is unscented. While I love heavy-perfumed lotions, many people are very sensitive to such scents. My personal favorite is the yellow Vaseline lotion. You can get it at any drugstore, and it’s the perfect size for your backpack.