Heading Back to School, Work, Life? We’ve Got You Covered.

School is back in session, dorms are opening, and many of us are getting back into the swing of things after a long, hot, very-much-needed summer. No matter how much you’ve prepped and planned, keeping yourself, your life, and your supplies organized can be a real challenge. We’ve all been there—ready to tackle it all, and then life happens. And even if you’ve got The Home Edit-level organization skills, building a steady routine with essentials that will help you feel grounded can feel overwhelming—where do you even start?! Luckily, you have us to break it all down for you.

Looking to start this year off with a new, uplifting routine and all your essentials handy? We’ve got you covered. For starters, you can repurpose your old Glam Bags in so many cool ways—from storing snacks to hand sani, and more. Then, head to our site to easily grab all your other must-haves (like hydrating shampoos, body lotions, and smell-proof deos) for a price so good, you won’t believe it. While we can’t make sure you’ll meet every deadline, IPSY is here to make planning your back-to-school, back-to-work, back-to-everything easier than ever with these quick and totally doable tips and beauty essentials.

Back to School

1. Pack Can’t-Live-Withouts

From mini hand sanis and wipes to SPF and lip balm, your old (and new!) Glam Bags are the perfect place to pack anything your little one needs while you’re on the go. It’s small enough to fit into most backpacks and purses, and the zip or drawstring closures ensure nothing will fall out. (We even give you permission to pack extra snacks in it.)

2. Organize Classroom Supplies

This one’s great for parents and teachers alike. If you’ve ever invested in all the pens, markers, and pencils they could need only to find them gone by week 3—well, we still haven’t solved that mystery. But, storing them in a Glam Bag instead of a bulky case could help. It fits easily into their backpacks and desks, so it’s always within reach. Teachers can keep an extra case or two handy for students in need, and to keep daily supplies organized in one place.

3. Make a Glam Bag Boo-Boo Bag

Keep extra band aids, alcohol wipes, antibacterial creams, sunscreen, tissues—you name it—handy for school trips and schoolyard cuts and scrapes. Bonus: The fun patterns on Glam Bags can help take a little “scary” away. Cover them in stickers and keep a few inside to share—it might even make them smile!

4. Create a Classroom Care Package

Fact: School supplies are not so accessible for everyone, and it’s no secret that many teachers spend their own hard-earned cash stocking up their classrooms with necessities. Parents who have extra supplies, or the means to buy them can help create classroom care packages by packing Glam Bags with anything from pencils and sharpeners to snacks and more, and giving them to teachers when they can.

Back to the Dorms

5. Treat Yourself to an IPSY Sub

You're heading back to college, and whether you’re excited or not, you deserve to treat yourself to some much-needed beauty. From cleansers and moisturizers to body lotions and perfume oils, an IPSY subscription is the perfect way to set yourself up for success and make sure you’ve got all the essentials to take on anything. Send yourself a Glam Bag subscription for 5 deluxe-size samples you can try and fall in love with, and shop IPSY Add-Ons when you want to treat yourself to a little extra. Or, sign up for BoxyCharm for 5 full-size products from amazing brands. If you’re looking to really go all out, splurge on an Icon Box for quarterly hauls curated by beauty’s biggest icons. If you’re in the market for shower essentials, head to Refreshments and sign up for personal care items like razors, deodorant, and shaving creams that you definitely won’t want to return without.

6. Keep Tech Essentials Together

Nothing’s as tangled as a college kid’s stash of phone and laptop chargers, back-up chargers, and portable chargers. They’ve got to be plugged in—from keeping in touch with friends and fam to writing papers well past midnight. The Glam Bags they’ll receive with their subscription are perfect for packing chords tightly, so they don’t shift around into a knotted mess. Bonus: The larger size Glam Bag Plus is perfect for organizing iPads, portable speakers, and more.

Back to Work

7. Keep Healthy Snacks Handy

When you hit that 3 p.m. slump, it can be so tempting to grab any snack from the kitchen—even if it’s not the healthiest. Repurpose your Glam Bag and use it as a snack pack to carry snacks that you can store literally anywhere (even the office fridge) to have packs of nuts, crackers, even important vitamins or medicine within reach.

8. Shop Desk Essentials

We love having refreshing lotions, hand sanitizer, and little beauty essentials at our desk. When things get stressful, it reminds us to take a break for a moment of self-care. And trust us, it makes all the difference. Our IPSY sales (mentioned above) for anything your desk-life desires—from mini fragrances to hair helpers (to tackle midday frizz) and creams to soothe your skin brighten up your desk. Bonus: Your Glam Bag is also perfect for storing your phone, keys, money, and anything you need when you’re running between meetings.

9. Create a Makeup Touch-Up Kit

Need a midday pick-me-up? Use your Glam Bag to store your on-the-go makeup essentials. We usually keep a refreshing setting spray handy to brighten up, reset, and rehydrate skin and makeup, plus liner and lipstick duos and mini mascaras for quick and easy touch-ups. Keep it in your desk (and leave it there), so you don’t have to worry about packing it each morning or forgetting your favorite lippie at home.

10. Stock Up for Work Trips

Traveling for work? Whether it’s a long subway ride or you’ve got a big work trip coming, your Glam Bag is packed with deluxe-sized samples that are perfect for taking on-the-go. Need something stat? Our member-exclusive IPSY Shop has amazing deals on beauty essentials always at least 30% off, or head shop Refreshments for all your personal-care needs—from razors to body wash and more.

Want more beauty to help root yourself in a new routine? Take our Beauty Quiz now to get started with your own IPSY beauty subscription. Already an IPSY member? Refer your friends to earn points, which you can use toward products. Either way, don’t forget to check us out on Instagram and TikTok @IPSY.

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