Choose a shade of BB cream that is right for your skin tone. When purchasing a BB cream, bring a friend along or ask a salesperson to help you choose the shade that most closely matches the skin on your face.
Use a very small dab of concealer to start with. You can always dab on more if you need to. Blend your concealer well. If you use your fingers to apply your concealer, gently dab it instead of smearing it. This is better for your skin and will keep the concealer where you want it. If you have dark circles under your eyes, apply a peach corrector right on top the dark areas, followed by a concealer that matches you skin tone and blend. To highlight, apply the concealer in a triangle shape. The triangle should point at your cheek, with the base beneath your eye. [6] X Research source Apply a dab of concealer to your upper eyelid. This will form a base for eyeshadow and eyeliner. It helps prevent them from bleeding and smudging later on in the day.
Avoid using too much eyeshadow. You just want to accentuate your eyes.
There are the three main types of eyeliner. Each comes with its own benefits. [8] X Research source Pencils are quick and easy to use, and are less easy to smear. Gel liners are applied with a brush and give you better control over the thickness of your eyeliner. Liquid liners are the most precise, but also the most difficult to use. If you are just starting out with makeup, it might be best to start with a pencil. As you become more experienced and comfortable with your makeup, you can try gel or liquid. Avoid pulling your lids tight, as this can result in crooked lines. For a simple and clean look, draw a thin line on your top lid, as close to the lash line as possible. For added emphasis on the eyes: On the lower lash line, draw a line from the outer corner to the middle of your eyelid. Do not completely circle the eyelid — this will make your eyes appear smaller. Save more dramatic looks, such as winged eyeliner for parties.
Always begin by placing the brush at the base of your eyelashes. Gently wiggle the brush back and forth while drawing it through the tips of your lashes. If you want more control you can bend the wand so that the brush is perpendicular to the rest of the wand. To do this, simply bend the tip as you remove the wand from the vial. [9] X Research source Apply one or two coats. Depending on how dramatic you want your lashes to look, apply one or two coats. However, be aware that the more you apply, the more likely you are to end up with clumpy looking eyelashes. Use a brow brush, which has a brush on one side and comb on the other to brush any clumps out. Use the comb side to tease apart any clumped lashes.
Don’t overdo it with the hairspray! Just a small dab will do.
Apply blush lightly. You want to add a bit of colour to your cheeks, so don’t use too much. In natural light, check to make sure that you haven’t overdone it.
Again, for school, avoid very dramatic colours such as bright red. Try to go for softer shades such as peach. When applying lip gloss, apply just a dab or two to your lips and then spread it around with your finger or by pressing your lips together. If you apply too much your lips will look sticky.
For example, keep your lip gloss in your purse or in your pocket as it is likely to come off when you eat or drink.
Setting sprays come in many varieties. For example, some are designed to prevent oiliness, while others keep your face moisturized. Choose the spray based on your skin type. You can save money on this by purchasing a large bottle, and then pour a small amount into a travel bottle. Not only will it save you money, but it will also save space in your bag.
If you choose to use wipes, save money by cutting the wipes in half. Make sure you are cleansing after removing with makeup. Wipes alone don’t cleanse the skin, just remove the makeup. Use only a dab of cleanser and rinse well.
