Going Flatting? The Beauty Products You Need!

by BR Kellie

It wasn't until I went flatting for the first time, at the tender age of eighteen, that I suddenly realised how little I knew about what I needed. I had my clothing, my bedding, my makeup bag, my stereo; all the essentials, as far as I was concerned. Until I parked up in my new-found freedom, went to dry my wet mop and realised... no hair dryer. Then I went to pluck a stray eyebrow hair and... no tweezers.

With this in mind, and with so many people about to head out into the great wide world with university and polytech about to start, I've asked those who've gone before what it was they suddenly realised they needed and compiled our Ultimate Beauty Guide to Leaving Home. Starting with as previously mentioned...

Hair Tools

Hair dryers, straighteners, tongs... if you use them in the comfort of your familial home, you'll need them in the real world too. If money is tight, look for second hand, or buy a pair of straighteners on sale as they can do double duty as a curling iron and hair flattener (Remington's Proluxe are AMAZING and they're often half price at Farmers!).

Tweezers

You'd think this would be an obvious one, but those little metal pincers that you steal from your Mum's duchessto tidy your forehead beatles will be missed when they're no longer easily accessible. 

Hair Size Towels

As BR Nat put it: I only brought bath sheets, and they do not feel light balanced atop your head! (BR Kellie note: Actually... towels, bring towels too. I forgot those and had to do a mission home to steal some.) A microfibre hair turban won't add bulk to your limited living space, and it'll dry your hair quickly and gently. A must!

Makeup You Can No Longer Steal From Your Sister

This did not apply to me as I was the sister who had all the makeup, BUT friends who borrowed (cough - stole - cough) their sister's makeup discovered that it was a heck of a lot harder to put together a full face with just a bit of concealer, lippy and a scody old blue eyeshadow once they left home.

Moisturiser

I don't think I ever bought body moisturiser until I left home. Previous to that I just used whatever was sitting around that had been gifted to my mother for her birthday or Christmas. If you like to nourish your limbs, be sure to grab a bottle from ther supermarket before you move out. (NIVEA's latest is highly recommended and Top Rated, and affordable too!)

Shampoo & Conditioner

Communal shampoo and conditioner was a thing at my house. However, it was not a thing at any flat I ever lived in. Bring your own or be ready for the wrath of others when their expensive salon pretties start disappearing at a faster rate than usual.

Toothpaste

Most homes have a communal toothpaste, and your family members will not be happy with you if you swipe it when you skedaddle. Buy your own before moving out. (Same goes for laundry powder! And don't forget to steal a roll of loo paper just in case!)

Cotton buds/cotton balls/cotton rounds/razors

If you use them at home, you'll use them out of home - have a stash when you move and you won't be caught short.

Period Products

I grew up with two sisters and a mum, so when Aunty Flow popped in for a visit, there was a good chance there'd be something grabable within easy reach. This can not be guaranteed when you go it alone, so have a stash of whatever you prefer ready. (See also: painkillers.)

A Good Mirror

I took for granted the bathroom mirror at home. It was large enough that my sisters and I could gather round it for a pimple pushing session, or a makeup applying mission, or to see if our spaghetti string A-line dress and t-shirt looked okay with whatever footwear we had on (if we stood on the bath to get our full body in). My first flat had the dingiest bathroom you ever did see, making makeup application a nightmare, so before you move, buy a decent full-length mirror, and thank me later.

And there you have it! A goodly list of all the things you don't realise you need when you leave home... until you do.

So, were you like me and woefully unprepared for leaving home? What beauty products did you need to buy? Are you preparing to leave the nest? What won't you be leaving home without? Get chatting below!