At thirteen, girls are ready to start wearing makeup for special occasions. To allow their natural beauty to shine through, they should select neutral tones and apply make up sparingly.
Essential Beauty Supplies
- Mild soap
- Wash cloth
- Toner
- Moisturizer
- Eye makeup remover
- Foundation
- Creme Blush
- Blemish cover stick
- Clear or lightly tinted lip gloss
- Black or brown mascara
- Tissue
- Cotton balls or pads
- Blending sponge
- Lip brush (optional)
Most of these products can be purchased at a local pharmacy. For young skin, select products that are mild or hypoallergenic. Aim for sheer, natural colors.
Begin with a Clean Face
Always put make up on a clean face. Use lukewarm water and mild soap to cleanse the face and neck regions. Place soap on a wash cloth and gently scrub the skin. Take care around the eyes where the skin is delicate. Rinse away the soap. Then pat dry with a soft towel.
Use a toner to tighten up the pores after cleansing. Apply toner to the face and neck with a cotton ball or pad. Change pads as they become soiled. Allow the face and neck to air dry.
Now apply a little moisturizer to soften up the skin for a smooth makeup application. Place dabs of moisturizer on the forehead, cheeks, tip of nose and chin. Rub moisturizer in gently and evenly over the face and neck.
Apply Makeup
After cleansing and moisturizing, apply makeup. Start with the blemish stick. Cover up skin imperfections and dark eye circles as needed. Use a sponge to dab it in evenly.
Then apply foundation. Place a dot on the forehead, cheeks, chin, nose and throat. Use the sponge to smooth out the foundation until it is barely visible. Aim for sheer coverage and a natural look. Blot off any excess foundation with a tissue.
Once the foundation is set, add a little color to the cheeks with blush. Apply it to the "apples" of the cheek. To find the apples, smile in the mirror. The area of the cheek that looks round is the apple. Place a dot of blush in the middle of the apple and blend it up and out toward the hair line for a glowing, natural look.
Next, focus on the eyes. Use black mascara for dark brown or black hair. For lighter hair colors, stick to brown. Apply mascara to the top lashes only. Place the applicator brush under the top lashes and sweep it up and out. Use a toothbrush to separate lashes for a feathery look.
Complete the look by applying lip gloss. To even out the lip tone, smooth a small amount of foundation on the lips. Apply gloss to the lower lip. Roll lips together to coat them evenly. Blot excess gloss with a tissue. Lips look prettiest when they are lightly tinted, moist and dewy, not overly dark or shiny.
Remove Makeup
To maintain good looks, always remove make up at the end of the day to keep skin clean and clear. First, use an eye makeup remover to take off mascara. Place a small amount on a cotton swab and wipe it off in a downward movement to avoid getting it in the eye. Remember to be gentle around the eye area.
Next, wipe off the lip gloss with a tissue. To remove any remaining tint, blot a bit of eye makeup remover on the lips with a cotton pad. Continue to dab until the pad comes up clean.
To remove foundation, cleanse the skin with warm, soapy water and a wash cloth. Gently use the cloth to remove residual color from the eyes and lips.
After washing up, rinse thoroughly to close up the pores. Then apply toner to tighten up the skin. To rehydrate the skin, dab on a little moisturizer.
Healthy Habits for Natural Beauty
To enjoy a natural, healthy appearance, make proper skin care and makeup application part of the daily routine. Always wash, tone and moisturize before and after using cosmetics. For extra protection, aim for makeup that contains sunblock.
Remember to apply beauty products sparingly and in natural light. Stick to subtle colors that complement skin tones and enhance nice features. Experiment with tints and techniques at home, especially before a special occasion. In very little time, teens can master the art of makeup application and develop healthy skin care habits.
Alison Lee - Alison Rinehart Lee is a free-lance writer based in Southern California. She has an M.A. in English with an emphasis in Medieval ...
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