The shift from summer breezes to crisp fall evenings always brings about a sense of change and anticipation for the new — airy blouses are traded in for cozy sweaters, leaves shift from emerald green to burnt hues of rust and amber, and (unless you’re a stubborn all-year-round cold drink enthusiast, like me) iced coffees retire so the highly-anticipated warm pumpkin-spiced beverages can steal the spotlight. But amidst all of this change, one thing that remains constant is our desire for long-lasting, spotlight-stealing makeup looks.

Especially as fall brings about back-to-school season, it is relieving to know that there are reliable products out there to keep your look fresh from the first bell until school is out. Below, I have compiled a list of the most withstanding, dependable beauty products and tools to keep you going all day long.

Tower28 SunnyDays SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen

Even though back-to-school season means chillier days ahead, the sun’s rays never actually retreat. For everyday makeup routines, I always opt for a tinted moisturizer or CC cream with SPF so that I am protecting my skin all year round. Tower28’s SunnyDays SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen is not only vegan as well as alcohol, fragrance, and cruelty-free — but it also maintains a natural finish from day to night, so you can avoid a cakey look while still letting some of your natural features shine through. For those who prefer more coverage, the formula is easily buildable with a blending brush or makeup sponge.

Ilia Multi-Stick

The Multi-Stick is an amazingly reliable product due to its hyper-pigmentation and creamy, spreadable texture that doesn’t even require a brush, but perhaps its best feature is its versatility. For school days where you want to freshen up your look but don’t necessarily have the time or space to bring along a slew of products and refresh between bells, this stick is your one-stop solution. The buildable color can be used on the cheeks or lips to achieve a long-lasting glow on the go. Finish with a translucent powder to lock in the tint.

r.e.m. beauty Lustrous Liquid Eyeshadow

Ariana Grande is no stranger to immaculate makeup looks on and off the stage, so it doesn’t come as a shock that her beauty brand, r.e.m. beauty, provides products that allow us all to shine just as brightly. One product, in particular, caught my attention when her brand initially launched, and it hasn’t left my rotation since. The Lustrous Liquid Eyeshadow is a pigmented shadow that glides onto the eyelid like butter. It doesn’t have a sticky feel like alternative liquid eyeshadows, and I am under the impression that it literally could withstand any disaster. This eyeshadow, available in a range of iridescent shades, never quits — and who doesn’t want to sparkle all the time? My personal favorite shades are nerd and fembot.

Insert Name Here Quick Slick Flyaway Hair Essence

When the slicked-back hair look made its way into the mainstream beauty scene, I was instantly frustrated by my inability to achieve those effortless styles due to my pesky baby hairs and flyaways. As someone with naturally curly hair, it is hard to keep every strand in check. That all changed when I started using the INH Quick Slick Flyaway Hair Essence. This trusty and portable product is perfect for touching up updos on the go and keeping every immaculate hairstyle in line, no matter the conditions. It comes in a range of fruity scents and is alcohol-free and grease-free as well.

Charlotte Tilbury Iconic Nude Lip Cheat Lip Liner

Most makeup enthusiasts have revered the Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Liner in Pillow Talk, but I’m here to put you on to a lesser-known secret: Iconic Nude. Of course, lip liner tones suit different skin tones and features in variable ways, but this is one of the first lip liners I have discovered that: 1. Stays on all day, 2. Suits a wide range of skin tones, and 3. Blends effortlessly. My favorite way to wear this liner is by outlining my lips, blending on the sides and bow of my upper lip, and then finishing off with a clear, moisturizing lip gloss.

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter

As some of the products on this list have suggested, I am preferential to multi-functional products for busy days. The Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter truly does it all — it blurs skin like Facetune IRL, minimizes pores, and leaves an illuminating glow atop the skin. This multi-faceted product is perfect for early, rushed mornings, as just a few swipes yield mattified yet hydrated skin. And the best part of all? Its nourishing formula keeps skin hydrated up to 24 hours after use.

Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer

Would this list of long-lasting products really be complete if I left out the holy grail of primers? The Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer stole the hearts of cosmetic junkies everywhere after it was discovered that its grip is extra-strength, keeping even the most elaborate makeup creations locked in for up to 12 hours. Sweat, wind, and debris don’t stand a chance against this primer, which is made with a 94 percent gel, vegan and cruelty-free formula and provides a healthy foundational glow to the skin.


READ MORE LIKE THIS

Every beauty product you need for back to school emergencies
Going back to school? Here’s a guide to the most important beauty products you need whenever you run into a beauty emergency.
Editor’s Picks September 2022
Something for your face, nose, body, and ears
Cocokind Silk SPF review
Even my esthetician agrees: my skin is better overall.
Headed back to school? You need these backpack essentials. - Very Good Light
It’s important to maintain skincare and overall health through the stresses of back-to-school. Here are the products you need to keep in your backpack.
Share this post