Looking Good at School

Make Up for School

My sister recently said that some of her friends had read my blog (thanks!) & it got me thinking about something new to write.  I suppose it's kind of like a 'what would you tell your younger self' scenario.  If I could go back now & tell myself some tips for doing make up for school these would be them.  I also hope anyone reading this who's at school can benefit - believe me when I say this - you may think you have nailed the art of make up.  BUT when you look back at those lunch time pictures - you will cringe.  

Now some of you may have well nailed your make up look and that's fine, other may think they have but haven't & that's not so fine.  My experience of school make up consisted of a lot of orange, too much eyeshadow & bad eyeliner.

No matter how little or how much make up you wear to school (or on a daily basis in general) I hope there will be a tip that helps you in some way or another. 

Oh! All the products I mention will be from the highstreet (Boots/Superdrug) or the supermarket (Tesco/Asda) just to help save some pennies.  All products will be listed at the end, if not mentioned in the post!

Ahh!  This is what half my year looked like haha!

Face

My first tip is on foundation - pick the shade that you are, not what shade you think you are!

Too often (I'm talking from experience here too) girls buy foundation in the shade they 'think' they are, or the shade 'they want to be'.  You will notice the difference trust me.  Adding blusher or bronzer will add colour to your face, so buy the colour that truly matches your skin tone!

Next - how to avoid (the best you can) that horrid make up mark on your shirt.  When you apply foundation you must blend it down onto your neck - having a line around your face is not attractive in any which way!  To avoid it going everywhere though, blend to just under your jaw.  If you have the right colour of foundation it wont leave a visible line on your neck.  This means it shouldn't rub off on your shirt (too much).  Your Mum will be greatful. 

Moving on - I know being a teenager means coming out in all sorts of horrid spots & what not, but please don't slap on the foundation!  All you have to do is buy a foundation with good coverage (see my blog about foundations).  You also need a good concealer - tip: always apply concealer before foundation, this will cancel out any redness/dark circles etc...  I don't wear concealer a lot but these are my highstreet favourites.  Oh the little round one is actually an eyeshadow base - but you can use it as a light concealer. 

Powder/blush

Cake face - powders should be used to set your make up, not to add more colour.  Pick one that is close to your skin colour (or a tad lighter) & put all over if prone to greasy skin.  If not, the T zone (forehead and nose) just in case you get shiny throughout the day.  Use a light hand though, looking cakey should be kept for the H.E department (I know, pathetic but could be funny).

Keep it simple - hot pink blush looks great on Barbie but against a bright white school shirt not so much!  A nice pale pink/coral gives a nice glow to the skin.  This means you look as natural & youthful as possible while wearing make up.  This  VIVO one below also has a highlighter - apply this to the tops of your cheeks/apple of your cheeks and it will catch the light & make your skin look great!  The other is a very cheap one but it is a brilliant colour, great for Summer.

Eyes

I would keep it simple here again; try to avoid bright colours that may crease & wear off without you being able to touch up.  Also try to play it down on the old eyeliner, practice makes perfect so until you have practiced I'd avoid a winged eye.  The two pictured are my faves and should be fool proof!  Use the kohl to give a soft look or the liquid to give a more dramatic look.  Both a pretty much smudge & crease proof.  Tip for eyes then - buy a little eyeshadow double/trio or quad in light/neutral colours.  

As for the liner - don't put it on your waterline if it tends to come off on you, it wont look good.  Use a lengthening mascara, this will stop clumps & your eyelashes looking tacky.  This is my favourite highstreet one ->

If you have long bottom lashes avoid using mascara on them, it will smudge and give you dark marks under your eyes.

Also pictured with the eyeshadow - if you can see it because it's getting so small - is an eyebrow pencil.  I think if you want to fill your brows in (because you have dyed hair say) then go for it.  Just make sure you do little strokes & don't press too hard.  Top tip for eyebrows - they are sisters not twins!  So if they look a little different that's fine!  Also if you have dark hair, your eyebrows should be two shades lighter & if you are blonde, they should be two shades darker.  Try to be natural or you will look like a cartoon character!

Lips

Ideally a lipbalm would be enough but I know that just wont cut it in school these days!  You could try a Revlon Lip Butter, which is pretty pigmented & moisturising at the same time.  If not I have added my two favourite nude lip shades - one is a 'tan' nude & the other is a pale pink.  If you choose lipstick instead of a lipbalm or lipgloss make sure to take it with you.  You don't wont to look like you have cracked lips - not very chic at all!

As I said about the products, you can buy them in the highstreet or in the supermarket while doing the weekly shop!  The most expensive part will be the foundation but it is also the most important - a good base makes all your make up look better!

Full list of products pictured;

VIVO concealer kit - Tesco

Maybelline Dream Lumitouch - Tesco/Asda

Rimmel stay matte pressed powder (warm beige) - Tesco/Boots/Superdrug

Barbara Daly Even-smoother eye base - Tesco

VIVO blush with highlight (sweet peach) - Tesco

Natural Collection blush (peach melba)  - Boots

Max Factor eyeshadow trio (01) - Boots/Superdrug

Beauty UK eyeshadow palette (4) - Superdrug

Rimmel Kohl eyeliner (jet black) - Tesco/Boots/Superdrug

Rimmel eyebrow pencil (dark brown) - Tesco/Boots/Superdrug

L'Oreal super liner carbon gloss (carbon black) - Boots/Superdrug

Rimmel scandaleyes mascara (black) - Same as above

Maybelline xxl pro extensions (black) - Tesco/Asda/Boots/Superdrug

Rimmel moisture renew lipstick (700 nude delight) - You get the picture haha

Natural Collection (apple blossom) - Boots (it is cheaply made and will break a lot & go smushy, like mine but good none the less).

Have fun at school, Nic xo