Makeup - Not Wearing It

[honeychile]

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.

[bostongreek]

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.

[ellebud]

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.

[southbymidwest]

One word. Concealer.

[RaggedyAnn]

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.

[FSUZeta]

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!

[Ooh La La]

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.

[ree-Xi]

Originally Posted by Ooh La La

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).

[ellebud]

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.

[agzg]

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.

[violetpretty]

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.

[Ooh La La]

Originally Posted by ree-Xi

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).

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.

[33girl]

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.

[Ooh La La]

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.

[KSUViolet06]

I am not a big make-up wearer myself.

The most I ever wear is concealer, powder, and gloss.

I got a more make-up savvy friend (a former MAC counter employee) to show me how to do it all.

Keep in mind that make-up is not so much about how much you're wearing or how many different products you use, but moreso about what makes you look polished and put together.

Everyone doesn't need a concealer, two eye shadows, lipstick, gloss, mascara, powder, etc. to look good.