Just for Teens - Cosmetics
What cosmetics make for a marvelous face? You have many choices, but limit yourself to essential items daily. Let's look at the basics.
Foundation
You don't have to spend a lot here. The key to an even complexion requires two things: first, finding a product that takes into consideration your skin type (oily, dry, or combination), and second, finding a product that matches your skin tone. You'll need to play around with colors; you may need to take back a jar or two to the store if the contents make you break out or if the color doesn't mesh with your natural tone. When applying foundation, go for a sheer approach. After all, foundation is meant to even out your skin tone, not cover up and mask your face. Take an extra minute or two to blend the foundation so that you don't have lines (the most prominent place to find them is on the chin line). Use a cosmetic sponge to blend away those lines easily.
Powder
Powder sets your foundation and makes for a shine-free face. If you have extremely dry skin, skip the powder; otherwise, brush on a little. Although compacts are convenient for touch ups, loose powder used with a big, fluffy brush works best for even coverage and a soft look.
Blush
Just as with foundation, you'll want your blush to match the natural hues of your skin. Do you have a ruddy, redder tone? Try true reds. Have a pinky hue? Go for the pinks. Don't make it look like you've got blush on. The point is to look healthy and fresh. Either dust a little on the apple of your cheeks for an innocent look, or sweep the color under your cheekbone to where it meets the side of your face.
Liquid liner
Liquid liner tends to give a more dramatic effect to eyes and also requires a little more expertise in application. If you like that Cleopatra look, then go for it, but we suggest practicing often before wearing those heavy-duty eyes in public. You'll need to become proficient with the liquid and fine brush for this polished look to work. With one slip of the hand during application, one eyelid will appear droopy and heavier than the other.
Eye liner
Make sure your pencil is sharpened. Avoid heavy black unless you possess really exotic, dark eyes. Otherwise, your eyes may "pop out" but the rest of your face will look washed out and worn. Keep the liner as thin as possible. For staying power and to soften the effect, use an eye shadow applicator to gently sweep the liner with powder color.
Mascara
Quite simply, pick a color closest to your hair color. Go with a brown mascara if you're a blonde; use black/brown for any other hair color, though blue can be fun. Take the tip of the wand and sweep across the tips of your lashes (which typically are the lightest area of the eyelash and when colored with mascara give the perception of long lashes). Next, brush up from the just above where the lashes meet the lid.
Lips
Smile! There are those girls, after all, who say that the lips make the face. With that fact in mind, we have two looks for you here. First, you can go natural and gloss those lips to pouty perfection. Or, try lining your lips, filling them in with the pencil, and then applying lipstick. By filling in the lips with the pencil, you'll add longevity to your lip color. Just lightly line the natural contour of your lips. (Don't go outside the contour, or you'll risk looking like the class clown!) Finally, don't forget to blot your lips on tissue so that any excess color stays away from your teeth.
FYI
Never share cosmetic products, especially eye products with your friends. Think about it! Bodily fluids come in contact with applicators. Your eyes tear, don't they? You lick your lips and the saliva sticks! Why would you want to pass on germs from one friend to the next? In the case of eyes, you may even receive a goopy, sticky, itchy bacterial infection called pinkeye and have to throw away every eye pencil, applicator, shadow, and mascara you own. So it pays to be careful.
