Earlier this week we asked our beautiful readers to enter to win a Bags of Love personalized makeup bag by telling us their #1 beauty essential. And it seems that everyone could really use a new makeup bag because we had over 135 entries! Dayummmm.

Unfortunately, we can only choose one winner, but we didn’t want everyone else to walk away with nothing. (It’s called Jewish Guilt. It’s a blessing and a curse.) So, we decided to scour through all the entries and see what beauty products the CollegeCandy readers hold near and dear to their hearts. Many of the entries were all over the place (and lots featured lip balm – whatcha doin’ that’s got your lips all chapped, hmmm?), but we did notice 5 items that a LOT of you ladies loved. And in our book, that means they must be awesome.

So here they are:
The best beauty products tested and approved by the women of CollegeCandy!

P.S. Congrats to Emily Thompson! She’s taking home the personalized makeup bag from Bags of Love! She also happens to L-O-V-E Laura Mercier Creme Silk Foundation. You know, in case you’re wondering.

I have a lot (and I mean a LOT) of stuff in my makeup arsenal. But as many shadows and brushes and primers as I’ve got, there are some that I can’t live without. Gems sent from the heavens to save the day and keep me lookin’ my best. One of those little gems is Rosebud Perfume Co.’s Rosebud Salve, which you’ve probably seen in those little boxes next to the checkout at Sephora or Ulta.

This stuff is so amazing and has multiple uses, which is amazing considering its only $6.  Sadly, some people are unaware of the many ways you can use this tin can of joy, so watch this video to change your life.

It is FREAKING COLD outside. Now that all the fun of the holidays is over (not counting Valentine’s Day cause, let’s be real, that’s not fun for most of us) the warm joyous feelings towards winter are gone and we’re left with nothing but bitter, bitter cold.

Living on a college campus makes it even worse. There’s no hopping in your heated car and driving to your heated destination. You are forced to put on your boots and puffy coat then trudge through wind chills and snow drifts to get from class to class. The result is insatiably dry skin, cracked lips and peeling cuticles. But there is hope! Here are some strategies to fight the battle against Jack Frost.

Non-Medicated Nighttime Lip Balm

Bedtime is the best time to restore the moisture that the cold weather steals from you during the day. Talking, eating and licking your lips means that lip products only stay on for a matter of minutes. Not enough time to make any real change, it only offers temporary relief. But while you sleep products have more time to moisturize. Avoid products with menthol or camphor (Like Carmex or Medicated Chapstick). The tingling cooling sensation is nice, but these ingredients are actually very drying. Any moisture gained is immediately lost again and you are back at square one.

Try Rosebud Salve ($6 sephora.com)

Bonus Tip: You can use this balm on your cuticles too! Read More »