How to Apply Make-up for Teenage and Younger Girls

As girls begin to develop in their teen years, there is no doubt they will begin to wear make-up. Many adults claim that make-up on younger girls looks bad or cheap. In most cases this is absolutely true, though this is not because of the make-up. This is because many teenage and younger girls do not know how to apply make-up properly, and they are under the illusion that people need to see the product. On the contrary, the product itself should not be visible. With a few tips, girls can use make-up to highlight their natural beauty.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. To avoid unattractive make-up smudges, or to prevent make-up standing out too much, you will need to determine your skin tone and texture. If you have a very light complexion, you need make-up that will blend in and highlight your beauty. The same applies to darker skin tones. Also, if you have very oily, acne-prone skin or very dry skin, the wrong make-up will cause moderate to extreme break-outs. In order to prevent this, many times you will have to buy more expensive base make-up or concealer. The additional expense will pay off in the end because of the results you will achieve toward having beautiful, problem-free skin.
2. After you have determined your complexion, skin texture and consistency, it’s time to visit the stores. Try to avoid cheap products, and select Neutrogena or other higher end products for your base and cover-up. A cover-up stick can be very helpful for blending in minor to major break-outs, but make sure you select one that matches your skin in order to avoid ugly streak marks. Some girls may find that they do not like applying base make-up, and in most cases you will look just as good without it. A tinted moisturizer will help your skin and give the appearance of a more natural base.
3. If you have very red or flushed cheeks, naturally you do not need to highlight them further by adding blush. If you do not have a lot of natural face color, then you can select a light, rosy crème or powder blush. When you are applying blush, be sure to only apply a small amount to your cheekbones and possibly just a hint to your forehead. When you are selecting a blush you do not have to get one of the more expensive brands. A cheaper blush is sufficient.
4. Another very important step in a teen’s cosmetics ritual is eye make-up. You should apply eye make-up in a way that makes your eyes really pop, and if you have small eyes, this will make them appear bigger. For general use you can buy classic dark black mascara. Instead of curling your lashes, buying mascara that lengthens and curls your eyelashes will be equally effective and a great time-saver. You can most definitely buy cheaper mascara; though you must be sure it doesn’t clump your lashes together in a sticky black blob. When you are a teen selecting eye shadow, you do not need to buy dark or thick products. Buying several shades of light pastel colors, possibly with sparkles in them, will make your eyes pop without surrounding your eyes in a circle of dark colors--making you resemble a raccoon. You can also buy an eye liner for special occasions in which you really want to bring out your eyes, though for school or hanging out with friends, eye liner is completely unnecessary.
5. Applying your eye make-up is the next step. First, you will want to apply your eyeliner if you are choosing to use it. Color the top of your bottom lashes in a thin line with the liner pencil, and if it appears too dark or doesn’t blend in correctly, licking your thumb and rubbing it gently under your lashes in a slow swipe usually will help.
   
   Next, apply a thin line of the liner to the very bottom portion of your upper eyelid. After you have done this you can pick a shade of eye shadow to apply. Pick one that doesn’t match your outfit or one that is a different shade than your eyes so that the contrast really makes your eyes pop. Apply the eye shadow starting above the liner on your upper lid and end it about a centimeter up. If it is too light because it is a pastel color you can apply another coat.
   
   The last step for your eyes is to apply your mascara. Bring the brush under your upper lashes and swipe up in a slow motion. (When doing this make sure you are not trying to keep your mouth closed because the facial tension will make things more difficult.) Then apply the mascara to the top of your lower lashes, coating them somewhat lighter. Repeat this process once more for very dark eyelashes.
6. You will not need to use lipstick if you are a teen or child, but a moisturizing lip balm or a lip gloss will look very pretty and be functional at the same time. You really cannot go wrong with a lip balm, though with lip gloss sometimes a disaster will strike. Pick a light pink or clear gloss. Do not get a dark red one or your pretty lips will be lost. Either get a shiny gloss or a sparkly one, though be careful not to pick one that overdoes it. If you have thin lips, try to find a volatilizing lip gloss to pump up your lips.

Tips & Warnings

• Combining these steps will allow you to look gorgeous for any occasion--without overdoing the make-up.