Back-to-School Makeup Guide

Heading back to school may not be your favourite time of year, but that doesn't mean you can't look great in the hallways. Your makeup  should look natural, not caked on: you should look like you aren't trying too hard. This is a common mistake with school makeup. Whether you're in secondary school or university, wearing overly sophisticated makeup will have the gaudy effect of playing dress up. And it will not fool anyone. So, whether you want to look stunning for chemistry class or to the next football game, we have a few tips and products you should not be without.

Treat Your Face

The most common beauty blunder that students make is to avoid treating bags and circles under the eyes. Yes, you'll have a few all-nighters, and no, you won't get eight hours of sleep every night. That doesn't mean that you should show up to first period looking like you were in a fist fight. Applying eye creams  at night and using a yellow colour corrector  or concealer  under the eyes will actually convince your history teacher you didn't procrastinate on that term paper and pulled an all-nighter. A+ to that! Also, wash your face. Having great skin is better than having the best makeup in the world. Make sure you use acne treatments if you struggle with blemishes. Use a face scrub  that is made for your skin type (oily ,dry ,combo , and sensitive ) and use moisturizer  in the mornings. Models and celebrities often endorse taking off makeup before bed. Not only does it save your pillow from gross makeup  stains, but it makes your skin look fresh and awake.

Bare Escentuals RareMinerals Blemish Therapy  Clinically proven to reduce blemishes, this product is top in its class for fighting acne. Re-apply throughout the day without drying out your skin!	L'Oreal Revitalift Double Lifting Eye Contour Cream  This moisturizer is best in its category for fighting under-eye dry skin and both long and short UVA rays (the number one cause of skin aging). Use this and you are basically guaranteeing you'll not only look great in the hallways, but you'll be a knock-out at the reunion as well.	Philosophy the Present: Clear Makeup  This is one of the most light-weight foundations  out there. Get a perfect, airbrushed look that will feel light and natural.	Olay Regenerist Eye Derma-Pod Anti-Aging Triple Response System  Fight the all-nighter look the next morning with this Olay's Derma-Pods. Specially formulated to treat under-eye bags and wrinkles, this product was top in its class at the CEW Beauty Awards.

Pucker Up

Sure, dark and sexy lips are appealing, but when you're in school it's more frightening than anything else. Lipstick  smears, feathers, and ends up on your teeth. Oh, and let's not forget about having to re-apply it every hour or so. We don't think teachers would be very understanding of lipstick touch-ups  during class. So what's a school girl to do? Ditch the lipstick! Go with lip gloss if you want a young, hip burst of colour. Lip gloss comes in a variety of finishes such as matte ,shiny , and some even have glitter to make your lips sparkle ! If you find lip gloss to be too sticky, then use a tinted lip balm . These balms give your lips a hint of sheer colour, while protecting them from chapping and drying out. Some are medicated  while others are strictly for cosmetic use. Either way, you can say it's the best of both worlds. Girls should also avoid dark colours even if it's a gloss or balm. The aim is to look fresh-faced and young, so choose neutral colours such as pink ,brown , or even a clear gloss  to accentuate and bring out your lip's natural tone. 

Maybelline Water Shine Lip Gloss  If you're headed to a school dance or going on a date, Maybelline's Water Shine Gloss reflects light, giving the appearance of a fuller pout.	Rimmel Vinyl Lip Gloss  For a glossy look without the stickiness, Rimmel's Vinyl is lightweight and comes in a variety of colours perfect for any girl.	Nivea Lip Gloss and Shine  Care for your lips while making them look glamorous with Nivea's double duty lip gloss. It contains hydramine and grape seed extract and has sheer coverage.	Bobbi Brown Tinted Lip Balm  For high end lip treatment, Bobbi Brow's tinted lip balm provides sheer lip colour in neutral hues and keeps your lips moisturized.	Stila Lip Pots Tinted Lip Balm  Give your pucker a hint of colour and a lot of moisture with Stila's tinted lip balm pot. Fingers will be used to apply this balm, but the shine and protection are worth it.

Eyes and Face

Most school girls tend to apply their makeup with a heavy hand, a method that only works for clowns. Focus on one feature to highlight. This is perhaps the most valuable tip in beauty. Trends change, but this concept generally stays well accepted. It doesn't mean that you should solely wear eye makeup  though. The idea is to cover up flaws on your face and draw attention to a facial feature . Wear natural makeup, and only add colour and highlights  to certain areas such as the eyes or cheeks.

Almay Smart Shade Blush and Bronzer  This product contains small beads that activate once it touches your skin to find the perfect blush/bronzer shade for your unique skin tone.	CoverGirl LashBlast Mascara  This product won for best eye product at the 2008 CEW Beauty Awards. Get perfectly dramatic eyelashes at a reasonable price.	Urban Decay Ammo Shadow Box Palette  Get ten of Urban Decay's best selling eyeshadows  in this box. The colours range from natural tones great for the classroom and more dramatic shades which are perfect for the films.	Nvey Eco's Organic Compact Face Powder  Great for all skin types, this powder will leave your skin fresh and youthful. Perfect for a quick morning routine.	MAC Powerpoint Eye Pencil  Try one of these shades of grey to wear to school. This fall is big on grey eye makeup , so line your top and bottom lids with this amazing eyeliner pencil.

Makeup Tips

• Being young is about finding all your strengths and weaknesses, and adjusting accordingly. Makeup is really no different. If you are just starting out with makeup, get a large makeup kit  and see what colours look good on your face. Buy a few beauty magazines and try out new trends, or pick out classic looks from films and television.
• Take care of yourself. It's great that we have makeup to mask flaws, but many of these issues can be corrected by living a healthier lifestyle. Drinking plenty of water  and getting a full night's rest will naturally rejuvenate your skin (at a much lower price).
• Try to find a quick makeup routine. Most students will oversleep  or generally do not have much time to get ready in the morning. You'll look better if you get that extra 30 minutes of sleep and just wear simple, quick makeup than if you get up a half hour early and do a complicated makeup regimen.

Quick Picks

Once you find what makeup works for you,buy extras for a  makeup bag . Bring a small makeup bag to school to store in your locker or purse in case you need to touch up your face after gym class.

Modella Weekender Style Travel Toiletry Bag	Hello Kitty Glam Cosmetic Organiser	Dandy Makeup Bag	Revlon Emily Cosmetic Bag	Benefit "A Girls Good Name" Makeup Bag

Related Guides

• Back-to-School Clothes for Teens 
• Autumn Makeup Guide
• Back-to-School Clothes for Kids
• Back-to-School Gadgets
• School Supplies