Makeup - Not Wearing It
 

The posts in this thread has some good advice, but I have a question.

I don't wear makeup. I never have, unless it was for very special occasions and my family and friends strapped me down to a chair to put it on.

That doesn't mean I don't take care of myself. I keep my hair brushed and my nails trimmed. I keep myself in good hygienic shape. :p

I'm not going to start wearing makeup for rush, but I keep reading advice that says to at least wear something. Will this cause a problem for me? It's not that I'm trying to disrespecting the sororities or the process...I just don't wear it.

Why don't you wear makeup? If you don't like it, fine. Allergic, fine. Don't have the time? (I'll help with that one.) Don't like the look? Fine.

If you don't have the time to do makeup, get your lashes dyed. (I know that since you live near me you can go to the valley (not the Conejo one) and find a salon to do it. That and lipgloss and you look polished. Don't like the look of makeup? You're going to the wrong line. Go to Neimans (in the valley) or BH and go to the counter that looks the most natural and ask them to help.

But, if not wearing makeup is you. Fine. Don't wear it.

Rush IS a very special occasion.

However, if makeup makes you more uncomfortable than confident, I would not wear it.

I don't either, and if you have good skin like I do, no one can tell anyway. If you want to do something subtle, wear a light lip gloss and maybe some mascara. Recruitment is about looking classy anyway, so you wouldn't be wearing heavy makeup like your going out.

If I started Rush tomorrow, I'd be too uncomfortable to wear it. Honestly, I don't know how to apply it properly. I never really learned and have grown accustomed to not wearing it.

That being said, I may just go to Neimans over the summer and ask for help. Maybe I'll learn a thing or two and look polished (and feel confident about it) in time for Rush this fall.

Thank you for the local advice. :)

How about some coverup and powder? We don't need to see our reflection on your forehead.

If rush isn't a very special occasion, I don't know what is.

kddani, I don't want you to see your reflection either. :( I didn't mean infer that Rush isn't a special occasion; I've done an insane amount of reading up on the process because I want to make the most of it and do my best. It's just that makeup has always been a weird point of contention for me.

If the OP is rushing in SoCal and is doing fall recruitment it is HOT here, but not humid. So, if skin isn't oily the shine isn't as big a problem. HOWEVER, Bare Minerals (I believe) and other kinds of powdery base, looks extremely natural. It is very easy to apply, just try it a few times.

Don't discount the eyelash tint. It lasts for about a month. You don't have to think about mascara. Just try in in July first to make sure that you aren't allergic. (My girls and I go to Aida Thibiant for lash dyes. One less thing to think about in the morning.)

Recruitment is a lot like interviewing for a job. It doesnt take a lot, but I would wear just enough to look put together/polished/evened out.


I would recommend Bare Minerals highly if you like a very soft natural look that doesnt take a lot of time. Any Bare Minerals counter or store will help you with that. The ladies in Sephora and Ulta should be able to as well.

The following suggestions are meant to enhance your natural beauty while looking "put together".

1. No matter what you do, exfoliate (gently) and moisturize! Not only your face, but all over. At the least, the skin that's showing.

2. Clean up your eyebrows (get them waxed or pluck them at least 24 hours before). You don't have to go crazy, just the stray hairs.

3a. If you have flawless skin, you can get away with lip gloss and mascara. Go for a non-goopy, non-sparkly lip gloss that matches your lip shade (to enhance it). A swipe of mascara opens your eyes. You can get black to make your eyes look bigger, or a tinted (not technicolor) mascara to enhance the color of your eyes.

3b. If you want to even out your skin tone, take a dime sized amount of moisturizer and a dime sized amount of foundation, mix in palms, and pat it on your face with fingertips or a makeup sponge.

4. Mineral powder is great to dust all over your face, but don't pat it on or you'll look too matte. Use a fluffy brush.

5. Shape your nails and use clear or tinted pink (delicate) nail polish.

Three things can make you appear to have spent WAY more time than you did on your make up routine:

Mascara, blush, and lip gloss. If you want to look really natural, buy a very sheer lip gloss at the drug store. Look for something like Burt's Bees Lip Shimmers because it isn't an actual gloss and feels just like chap stick. You won't feel like you're wearing Elmer's glue on your lips, and it's very subtle. If you have light hair/lashes/brows buy a brown mascara. If you have dark hair, try a brown-black. It is more subtle than straight black. Get a waterproof mascara to make sure it doesn't budge. And then buy a blush that is close to your skin tone...in other words, if you have fair skin, don't buy magenta blush. Get either cream blush or a sheer mineral blush. Both of these options are light and not greasy.

All of this can come from the drug store and will make you appear extremely polished without feeling goopy. If you're unsure about the products, try a Walgreens or department store where a consultant can help you...but beware of spending big bucks at a make up counter in Neiman's. They'll try to sell you full face make up, eye shadow, etc. If you know you don't want THAT much make up, be firm from the beginning. You want only mascara, a sheer gloss, and a subtle blush. If you ever find your face getting shiny buy some blotting sheets from a drug store. They're around $5 and come in a blue package, usually with the face washes. You simply blot them across your face and shine disappears without putting anything else on your face.

If you'll lose confidence from wearing mascara, blush, and gloss, don't do it. BUT make up isn't just about appearance, it's also a way of saying you spent that little extra time on your appearance, and sometimes that can really help you during Recruitment. Obviously its most important to be clean and well groomed and since you have that covered, you'll be ok either way, but I'd go for those three items if you think you can. I also buy clear nail polish for occasions when I need to look polished...it keeps your nails from breaking and it also makes you look so put together. I don't know why that is, but it's true. Just that little touch makes a difference, and you won't need to worry about chipping.

You could do all of this (mascara, blush, gloss, blotting sheets, and clear polish) for around $20 if you go the drug store route and don't buy brand names. For these items, drug store brand will be every bit as good.

A comment on the drug stores- most have a fantastic return policy. Go to Neimen's or wherever to get an idea of the colors & techniques that work for you, then find good substitutes at Walgreens, Rite Aid, Target, etc. If you are picking between colors or brands, buy them both and try them out. You can return what doesn't work. Don't abuse it, of course, but I've done this quite a few times when I want to try something new. Verify before you buy- they're very open about the policies and some even have big banners advertising the policy.

+1 to Burts Bees. I tend to like sheer red colors because they look more natural on me (brown hair, fair skin)- pink is usually too pale or just too different. So don't be afraid to try a sheer red if pinks haven't been your thing in the past. Their Super Shiny in Zesty Red is my usual day gloss... when I remember to put it on :D

The idea of properly applied makeup is to enhance your natural beauty and downplay or disguise any flaws. If you look like you applied your eyeshadow and lipstick with paint rollers, you're doing it wrong. Think about how you'd want to look at a job interview. If you're not accustomed to wearing makeup, I suggest that you wear a bit of lip gloss as a bare minimum.

Good luck with rush.

Totally forgot she was in SoCal and probably has a tan which alleviates a LOT of the need for makeup.

I know there are a lot of Bare Minerals fans on here, but my experience with it has been that it does take time to learn to apply correctly and some women using it NEVER get it. If you're tan, and wary of makeup as it is, just using blotting sheets is probably easier.

As far as lip balm, look into the Burts Bees or Terra Tints. BB is everywhere and you can find Terra Tints at Whole Foods or similar type stores. You'll be out in the sun a lot and talking a lot and you need something to keep your lips moist. This adds a hint of color and is practically impossible to screw up.

TrueStar,

You and I sound similar. I am not a fan of make-up...never have been and likely never will be. I was a competitive figure skater growing up and I couldn't stand having to wear make up for competitions. People would ask why I don't like it....I just don't. I was sort of ok with a little bit of foundation and powder to even out my skin or if it was getting a little oily. However, I especially don't like lipstick or gloss. Bleh! Never! I had a good complexion and could get away with not wearing make-up.

Finally, at age 30, I realized that, as we get older, our faces age and we need to try a little harder. In addition to the foundation and light powder, I decided to give mascara a go. I will now wear it on occassion when I'm trying to look a little more polished. No eye shadow or eyeliner, just a couple dashes of the mascara. I use regular, non-tinted Burt's Bees lip balm to hydrate my lips.

Go back and read Ree-Xi's post and, if you switch the gloss for lip balm, that just about sums up what I do.

Frankly, as someone who isn't a fan, if you don't want to wear make-up, don't. I agree that, if it would only serve to make you feel uncomfortable or "fake", it's probably better to go without. If you think you can manage a little make-up, it can help polish you up just enough to show you made the effort.

.....Kelly :)

If you have blonde or red hair, for the sake of all things holy, wear mascara and/or the lash dye. Start tomorrow, and get used to it. The truth is, I don't know any women who wake up and say, "oh, goodie! I get to wear makeup today!" Most women just realize that they do need it, and get into the habit.

The only face make-up I wear is a tinted moisturizer, which I would highly recommend. Super easy to apply, has SPF, evens out skin tones, and, obviously, moisturizes. I'm currently using Laura Mercier, which is very nice and light and not foundation-y feeling.

For the wallet, I absolutely understand going to the drugstore to get products. But if one, like the OP, isn't used to wearing makeup, doesn't trust it, and hates the feeling of it, going to an upscale store where makeup is applied for free is invaluable. The act of going back and forth can be very discouraging. Not having a track record with makeup and faced with a plethora of choices can be daunting. Take your Mom with you if you don't trust your ability to say , "I only want.............Thank you very much." Practice saying No. I can tell you that St Laurent is very colorful for most people. My daughters hate MAC. Kiehl's, Bobbie Brown (who has a book on makeup application for teens), Laura Mercier, and Chanel seem to be favored BUT you have to like what they show you. Natural is your mantra. If the lipglass doesn't feel good on your hand, it will feel thick on your lips. And go to the cosmetics counters at a slow time, Monday mornings are pretty slow. If you choose to go to the drugstore, go at a quiet time so you don't feel pushed into making a decision.

And if you're not sure that you love what was applied tell them that you have to walk around for awhile to see if you're allergic to the product. And even if they put on eye shadow, eye base, and lip base..........whatever...you don't have to get it.

One word. Concealer.

Other great places to learn about applying makeup are the teen magazines, or at least they were back in the day. Maybe you could take a trip to the library and check them out or go on their websites? I also remember Tyra Banks talking about having makeup techniques on her website as well. I'd also talk to your friends if you like the way any of them apply their makeup.

if you do want to give makeup a try, make an appointment at one of the department store makeup counters, so that the consultant will give you plenty of time. Tell them that you want a very natural, daytime look, so that they don't do "smoky, nighttime eyes". sometimes if you just drop in, they can't give you a full consultation. just go in knowing that their intent is to sell you their products, but that you do not have to buy everything that they use on you-in fact, you don't have to buy a thing, but it is nice if you do.

bobbi brown has a nice book for teenagers that touches on body image as well as makeup, if you would rather try on your own.

oops.... ellebud and i are on the same track. we mom's must think alike!

A few notes about making an appointment at a make-up counter.

For you, I would probably recommend a brand like Clinique. It's wonderful quality, has natural colors, and is easier on the pockets than most department store brands.

Always look at the Sales Assistant's own make-up before booking an appointment. You want to make sure she won't cover you knee deep in foundation and eyeliner.

It's considered proper etiquette to buy a product from the counter after having an appointment with a Sales Assistant.

Not everyone can afford Clinique, and if she only wears makeup once in a great while, it will go bad before she's done with it.

Second, there is no rule that you must purchase something at the counter if a sales person spends time with you. What if you don't like the product(s)? What if they are too expensive (often you don't know the price until after).

There once was a high school girl, who's whole daytime wardrobe consisted of hoodies, designer jeans, Target wifebeaters, and flipflops. Her mother went out on a limb and bought a few other things: a few sundresses, a Chanel look woven jacket, and some nice sandals.

Eye rolling and whining ensued: I will never wear that stuff! I like the way I look! I am a fashionista for high school.

And then I mentioned that she was growing up (apropos the comment that the OP may never use the cosmetics again) to which I received a snarl.

.....the dresses she wore during rush. The jacket is thrown over jeans to look slightly more dressy. Don't discount the possibility that the OP will discover that a bit of makeup is not the enemy. And that at some point, she'll wake up 5 minutes early to "do" her face.

I'm not going to speak on what's appropriate in Southern California, but on the no-makeup thing - I'm very similar. I will wear it from time to time but most of the time I feel like I don't need it or want it anywhere near me.

That said, I do thinks to make me look polished anyway. If I'm feeling particularly oily, I use the Neutrogena Mineral Sheers powder. It comes with a brush - actually, the product is on the bottom and the brush is on the top. You flip it upside down, brush it across your hand a couple of times, then you're good to apply, using sweeping motions going "in the direction of your face" if that makes sense. Down the cheeks, down the nose, across the forehead, chin, etc.

It's super simple and cuts down on shine. Also, and I'm not sure if this is a direct relationship, but I noticed that I was getting fewer pimples once I started using it. That could be because what I used before was just crap.

The best of all of that is that you can see my freckles right through it - it looks like nothing's on. The ONLY difference between my skin before and after is that it's not shiny anymore. That and the fact that it gives a little protection from the sun - I think it's SPF 15 but I usually put on a moisturizer with SPF 30 first, wait about a half hour (so that the moisturizer is fully absorbed), eat breakfast, do whatever, THEN do the powder.

I have my eyebrows done AT LEAST once a month and maintain it between waxings by plucking. NEVER have your eyebrows done LESS than 24 hours before your first day of recruitment. NEVER. Even if it's plucking instead of waxing. NEVER. Also, if you've never had your eyebrows waxed before but you want to do it for rush, I would suggest trying it out at least 2-3 weeks before. That way, if you don't like it, you have time to grow out a little bit and try a different way.

I also wear a lip balm that has a little shine to it - I like softlips, just the general "cherry" or "strawberry" - make sure it has a little sun protection in it. Two things dry out lips the most - dry air in the winter with the heat running and sun damage.

The sunscreen and lipbalm with sunscreen are important things that aren't make-up that you should be doing anyway.

If makeup just eeks you out and you never get used to it, don't wear it. Make sure you still wear sunscreen though. You want to give off the feeling that you're comfortable, and if you're not, you can't.

Also, remember that the point of makeup is to look natural (especially in this setting). You're not trying to pick up a sorority woman to take her back to your place. There's no place (in ANY recruitment, and I don't care who gets mad at me for saying that) for Raccoon eyes a la Jennie from Gossip Girl.

I'd agree that you probably should wear SOMETHING, just so you look polished. I think it is a good idea to go to Neiman's or Sephora or wherever, and just explain that you want a simple, easy, natural, polished look. They'll be able to help you with specifics according to your skin type, coloring, features, etc. It's tough for us to say what you "need" because we can't see you, but the experts should be able to help you out. Good luck with recruitment.

Most people at make up counters cannot take tips. It's not a rule, but it is considered the polite thing to do. Note- this is for an actual appointment, which takes up a lot of the sales assistant's time, not for just a random walk-up.

Guess what? If you ask Neiman's or Sephora for a "simple" or "natural" look, I can guarantee you they'll foist at least a dozen products on you. If you're already iffy on makeup the last thing you need is to feel pressured.

I am a pale old bat. I need tons of makeup to look acceptable. An 18 year old girl in California with good skin tone does not. Seriously, all she needs is a friend to show her how to apply mascara without putting an eye out.

Ellebud, the lines you mentioned are all too expensive for me, let alone for a teenager.

Loreal is an excellent drugstore brand. It's made by the same company that makes Lancome. Revlon makes fantastic concealers.

Have you ever been to makeupalley.com? The girls there on the make up board may be able to give you excellent information about specific products and there are several reviews for both drug store and high end brands.

I'm allergic to just about everything, including some make-up and bad allergies. My hands are always in my face, but I do have horrible "allergy shiners" (dark circles that get darker and puffier when my allergies are bad). Because of the shiners, I need to wear a little makeup - I work in a professional field and need to be "polished" daily- but because of my constant itchiness and watery eyes, I have to be careful its not smudgy and easily fixed. The best I found is the Almay perfect match line. Its not very expensive and its non-irritating. The basic shadows (3pack) stays put, the mascara doesn't make my eyes worse or smudge when I rub them, and the concelear and cream blush isn't cakey and stays on all day. I usually pair all of this with vaseline lip balm - a little shine and it keeps your lips moist. My makeup routine takes maybe 5 minutes in the morning and it probably costs less than $20.

Actually, 33 girl hit on a really good point- do you have a friend who you think does a great job with her makeup (so that it enhances her features) and has a good eye? Maybe she would be willing to go with you to Sephora or ulta so that you can ponder the possibilities and have her help you choose a few basics for those days where you want to look a little more polished. She would probably feel flattered that you are asking her to help you. Doesn't mean that you have to wear it every day, just you feel the occasion calls for it.

The thing about cosmetics is that so much money is wasted purchases. If you buy one lipgloss, and you use it, finish it, the purchase it worth it. Most of us have drawers filled with.......well it was a good idea at the time stuff, but at home...yuck. Again, practice saying no to salepeople.

The lines I recommended are expensive. The OP may purchase one or two items total. If she determines that she will use cosmetics (in general) one good purchase is a victory. Wasted time and effort and several booboos in color, consistency, or allergic reactions (which she did not say that she had) can be disheartening. And no matter what the saleperson is pushing, (my personal favorite is the undereye base) you don't have to get anything you won't use.

There is depending on where you go. Places like MAC, require a minimum of $50 purchase if you make an appointment with a makeup artist.

That's easy for you to say...you're older than most of the salespeople. (So am I.) When I was younger, I was completely intimidated by the dept store counters.

Not to mention it's just a sin to pay dept store prices if she's going to buy mascara and tinted gloss. To wear for one week.

Oh absolutely. You have to replace mascara so frequently that I can't justify department store prices, and I wear mascara every day. I like Covergirl Lash Blast.

The mentions of sunscreen (or products containing it) are a good idea and something I forgot to mention...my moisturizer has some. It's about $20 for a small jar of it, which makes me physically ill when I buy it, but the thing is, one jar lasts me almost 6 months. Use at least moisturizer with SPF or a powder like agzg recommended to protect your face.

I hadn't snooped through Target's make up section before and did today...I recommend it highly. It was all well organized and they had a huge selection of all natural products, which tend to feel less heavy and be better for your skin. Just give yourself a block of time. Some of the products were pretty pricey and it took me a while to search for the reasonably priced items.

I'm so sorry for not replying sooner. It was a crazy weekend, but I have listened to you and have taken your advice to heart.

I am not from Southern CA; in fact I just moved here from central Illinois. I have dirty blonde hair, pretty fair skinned and no tan yet. I'm sure that will change soon; the weather is amazing out here.

I talked to a friend via email who loves wearing makeup and told her I wanted a fresh, but polished look for university. She gave me a list of basic things to start with and it coincided pretty well with the suggestions here (mascara, foundation/blush, lip gloss). I went to Sephora today and was very honest about my inexperience with makeup. I told the look I was going after and exactly what I wanted so I wouldn't be bombarded with products.

I ended up with a tinted moisturizer, lip butter with a bit of color, and black mascara. She showed me how to put it on and answered all of my questions. When she was done I didn't look drastically different, but my skin was more even toned and my eyes and lips looked more pronounced. Now I just need to practice it at home and I think I'll have a nice, polished look.

Now, I'm sure this will be a smaller problem because I'm a non-traditional student (older transfer), but the age of the university isn't exactly traditional either. Regardless, I want to thank you all for the honest advice and suggestions. Even if I don't get a bid, there are other groups I'd like to join and having a great, polished look can only help me make a good first impression!

What brand of moisturizer did you get? Just curious because I tried out several brands from Sephora before finding the one that was best for me.

Sure, I got Tarte Smooth Operator in Agent 04 (for light complexions with beige undertones).