Wearing Makeup

A lot of adults, your parents included, might not think it’s appropriate for anyone under age 15 or 16 to wear makeup. If you dare to try a little color on your lips, eyes or cheeks they get all excited. Maybe they say you look silly or trashy. And maybe they have a point. Nothing is more attractive than natural beauty. Which is what you get from eating the right foods, daily exercise, and making sure you are well rested.

Makeup should be used to accentuate what is already there, not to cover it up. It is easy to over do it when you are just starting out. Especially if you are trying to follow the advice found in many magazines. They often tell you to put on blusher, on top on powder, on top of foundation, on top of toner, on top of base. Then they’ll tell you to use a dozen shades of eye liner and shadow until your own fresh skin is buried beneath a coat of cosmetics. For most occasions, other than Halloween, the effect of makeup shouldn’t show. It takes years of practice to get a lot of makeup look like a little. Makeup should be used to enhance your best features.

BUT, makeup can be fun too. There are so many inexpensive brands available that you don’t have to spend all your savings or allowance to do some experimenting. If you really want to look different from your classmates, we would rather you use makeup than get a tattoo or body piercing. At least you can take makeup off at the end of the day.

Foundation

Use foundation cream to cover up any little blemishes and give your skin an even finish. Choose a foundation color that is as close to your own skin tone as possible.

• Fine for all skin types.
• Acne-prone skin: use an oil-free formula.
• Sensitive skin: use a hypoallergenic brand.

Powder

Powder is good for fixing your foundation and it adds a natural finish to the skin. It is great to use during the day on those areas of your face that get shiny. Loose powder gives an even finish and the excess is easy to remove, but it is more expensive than pressed powder and you can’t carry it with you without making a mess. Compressed powder is easier to carry around, and it usually has a mirror in the compact, which is very convenient. It is best to use a translucent one to avoid looking orange or pink.

• Fine for all skin types.
• Especially good for oily skin.

Concealer

Dot concealer under your eyes and on any areas you want to conceal. Blend it in well, but gently under your eyes. If you get dark circles under your eyes from allergies, concealer may become your best friend.

• Fine for all skin types.
• Sensitive skin: use a hypoallergenic brand, and use carefully the first time to make sure you are not allergic to it. The skin under your eyes in especially thin and sensitive.

Blusher

Blusher gives your face some color and chiseling. Be careful where you put it. Sweep it outward to widen your eyes, and a little under your cheekbones gives you a chiseled look. A dab on the chin and nose is fine too if it is a light shade. Cream blushes are extra moisturizing so they’re ideal for dry skin (oily skin -types steer clear). Blend onto your cheeks to create a just-took-a-jog flush. Powdered blushes absorb oil so they’re perfect for oily and acne-prone skin. Plus, they create a matte finish for a shine-free face.

Eye Makeup

For daytime and school, try to keep your eye makeup as natural looking as possible. That means use neutral tones. Too much eye makeup can make you look a lot older. Use a light color to cover your eyelid and eye socket. Next, take a slightly darker shade and shade in above your eye crease and down to the top of your eyelid. If you like highlighter, use it on your brow bone and put it on last. Use eyeliner to outline the eye as close to the lashes as possible. Some people look good with liner on the bottom of the eye, and some don’t. You will have to see what looks best on you, try one lining style on one eye, another on the other, and see which looks better on you. If you like mascara, apply a coat or two to the upper lashes and a bit on the lower.

Lipstick

Teens either like lipstick or hate it. It does add color to your face and helps give you a finished look. You don’t have to match your lip color to your clothes or your blush. Lip pencils look great on some people and awful on others. Outline your lips with the pencil in either the same shade as your lipstick or one shade darker. Add a touch of lip gloss afterwards if you like. Most models say their “lipstick secret” is putting on Blistex first and blending it in well before they put on any lipstick. It is supposed to make your lipstick stay on longer. It is also good for conditioning your lips.

Shimmer Gel

Shimmery highlighters can look really pretty for a party or for shopping at the mall with the girls. In the summer, you can wear them on your shoulders when wearing a sun dress, strapless dress or top. They look way cooler than a tattoo on your back if you are wearing that backless number! Bonnie Bell makes some nice shades that are not expensive.

H ave some fun with makeup, but don’t overdo it. Remember, makeup trends will change. Who ever thought that blue and green eye shadow and liners would come back, but they did!

• Check out Eric’s Hair Care Tips
• Check out the “Makeup Generator” it tells you your best makeup colors, based on hair color and skin tone, from our friends at Jellybean.com