Video summary

Small Purchases You Need Going Back to School

Main summary

Key takeaways

Lifestyle

Key back-to-school lifestyle purchases & routines

Hydration essentials

  • Refillable water bottle (example mentioned: Target 32 oz)
    • Drink enough water across the day (speaker suggests 3x/day; ~96 oz total).
  • Electrolytes to help hydration
    • Add electrolytes at least once (around 16 oz of water) during the day.
    • Rationale: water alone isn’t enough to “retain”/optimize hydration.

Backpack “small but big” upgrades

  • Leather journal (or a regular journal if cost is an issue; leather is framed as more “aesthetic”)
    • Brand suggestion: Moleskine
  • Charging brick / portable power
    • Example: Anker MagSafe charger
    • Notes: phones (specifically iPhones) can lose battery quickly; a charger prevents “dead phone” emergencies.
  • Fragrance (safely)
    • Don’t pack the full bottle in a backpack (risk of breaking).
    • Options suggested:
      • Refillable travel sprayer/portable versions
      • A Sephora-style approach: buy small tester/mini designer fragrances (example: “Morning Chess” as a school-appropriate scent)

Hygiene routine for better skin and overall presentation

Daily skin routine (morning + night)

  • Cleanser (example: E.L.F. cleanser with hyaluronic acid)
    • Wash face every morning before school
    • Use both morning and night
  • Hydration face cream (example: E.L.F., with hyaluronic acid + niacinamide)
    • Goal: smooth, clear, hydrated skin
    • Lightweight feel; avoids a “shiny face”
  • SPF sunscreen (non-negotiable)
    • Example: E.L.F. “Invisible” sunscreen
    • SPF 35, water-resistant
    • Benefit: avoids the “white cast” some cheaper sunscreens leave
    • Recommended for beaches/pools in hot weather

Optional “extra step”

  • Vitamin C + E serum (example: promoted as a game-changer)
    • Emphasis on reducing the appearance of under-eye bags
    • Speaker notes it makes skin look/feel “healthier”

Quick hygiene backups for your bag

  • Extra stick of deodorant
    • Use-case: forgot deodorant after rushing or when it wears off faster (especially more “natural” formulas)
  • Lip balm
    • Framing: prevents uncomfortable/chapped lips and improves appearance
    • Example: beeswax/honey-type natural balm mentioned

Everyday carry & student utility

  • Slim, lightweight wallet
    • Includes essentials only (ID, driver’s license, credit cards, etc.)
    • Avoid a bulky “unit” wallet in pockets
  • Tracking card (find-your-wallet solution)
    • Example concept: card that works with Find My, pinging/ringing to locate a lost wallet

Tech + productivity tools (to help you stay on track)

  • Phone case
    • Example: Nomad leather phone case
    • Advice: protect your phone—speaker admits they broke one by not using a case
  • Productivity apps
    • TimePage + Actions
      • Use Actions for what you want to do today
      • Use TimePage as a calendar to stay on top of important dates
    • Opal
      • Block/restrict distracting apps (e.g., TikTok, Instagram) to support deep work
    • Audible
      • Use during walks/downtime to listen to books while studying
      • Mentioned as especially helpful for someone who doesn’t like reading

Notable locations, products, and brands mentioned

  • Target (water bottle example)
  • Moleskine (journal brand suggestion)
  • Anker (MagSafe charging brick)
  • Sephora (buy mini fragrance options)
  • E.L.F. skincare (cleanser, hydration face cream, invisible SPF, vitamin C + E serum mentioned)
  • Nomad (leather phone case)
  • Find My (tracking card concept)
  • Apps: TimePage, Actions, Opal, Audible

Original video