Teen Makeup Series: Eye Makeup

Product Sent for Review, I Bought It, Affiliate Links



I've been working at my "real" job quite a bit lately (and then was busy with guests and such), so the teen makeup series took a back seat for a bit. Today we're getting started again, you can check out previous posts in the Teen Makeup series.

Once I've applied my face moisturizer/BB Cream, I move on to my eyes. I'll share what I do for a very basic eye look, but you should know that you can do as little or as much as you want. My personal preference for myself is some shadow, eyeliner and mascara (here's my basic everyday eye look, which is more than I ever wore as a teen).

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Teen Makeup: Get Great, Glowy Skin

I Bought It, Affiliate Links, Product Sent for Review


IMAXtree

I remember when I first started using makeup at 13 years old. I went crazy for foundation. It was a thick, cakey mask that I wore every day for a few weeks. Then I noticed a girl in my class pointing at me and whispering one day in the hallway, and I thought I had something stuck in my teeth or something. I went into the bathroom and looked in the mirror, but realized that wasn't the problem. The problem was the thick makeup, which wasn't something that I even needed!

Whether you're using foundation, tinted moisturizer, a BB or a CC Cream, the overall goal of skin coverage should be evening out your skin tone and making things look more even. And you need to try to do that with the least coverage possible. Show as much of your own skin as you possibly can, it just looks much better! When you're older, your skin tone will be uneven. The color will actually vary. It's quite sad. As a teen, you don't have this problem, so covering up with foundation that you don't need is just a waste of time and product.

Read on to learn how I recommend you do this.

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Teen Makeup Series: Product Application Order and The Best Cheap Makeup Brushes

I Bought It, Affiliate Links


IMAXtree

Over the last 2 months or so, Teen Makeup and what products to use, and my tips, has become a big topic! I've been getting emails about what products to use, I have had friends at work ask me about their daughters, and I even have a planned ULTA trip with some friends so I can help their teen daughters shop.

In general, I have the same recommendations for teen makeup regardless of the person. I was the same way as a teen, but almost all teens want to wear way too much makeup. And while you think it looks good... It doesn't. And as much as your mom tries to tell you it is too much, you don't want to hear it from her. I will tell you. You don't want (or even need) full coverage foundation. It looks like a mask. Chances are your skin tone is much better suited to lighter coverage. Heavy contouring might give the illusion of high cheekbones when you use a few filters in an Instagram picture, but in person it looks like you have dirt on your face. That's not pretty. And super bold brows ("eye brows on fleek") are a hit on Instagram but make you look like a clown in person. It is all true.

My advice to teens regarding makeup is that you want to look pretty, but still like yourself and it shouldn't involve a lot of super obvious makeup. I'm a fan of a slightly more natural look. I recommend checking out Lisa Eldridge, a huge makeup artist from the UK who also happens to work as the Creative Director of Lancome. Also, Cara from Maskcara, a makeup artist turned beauty blogger and makeup line owner from Utah. Both showcase very pretty makeup that looks great but doesn't steal the spotlight from you.

Today I'm starting a new weekly series (probably for most of the summer) about teen makeup, my recommendations and product favorites. Come back weekly for topics like eye makeup recommendations, how to cover a blemish, etc. Today we'll go over product application order and my favorite cheap makeup brushes.

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A Makeup Intro: What I Think Teens Should Start With In A Basic Makeup Kit

Product Sent for Review Affiliate Links I Bought It Myself



Recently I've gotten quite a few emails and messages from young teens asking me to make them a basic makeup kit, similar to the one I put together in my Teen Makeup Kit post. Somehow about 2 years (!!) have passed since I first published that post, so it is time for an update! Today I'll share my basic recommendations, and in the next few days I'll share a post that has some specific recommendations for the questions I was asked. Finally, I've even found an amazing 14 year old who is going to share (with her mom's permission) her favorite makeup products as well!


First, I've been asked about how to get permission to wear makeup. I strongly recommend to teens that you just initiate a conversation with your parents about makeup if you're interested in it. A big part about being allowed to do things as a teen is developing and keeping your parents' trust. If they can trust that you'll do what you say, and not do things they don't want you to do, then you really will be allowed to do quite a bit more and will have a better relationship with your parents. Having a discussion before just starting to wear makeup will show your parents that you are mature and reasonable! It makes us parents feel like we've done a good job with you, we want to reward you for that. (Pro Tip: This works for everything, not just makeup.)

So, for me, I had this talk with my mom when I was 12 and about to start 7th grade. I think my mom initiated it, not me. She said that she'd let me start wearing makeup gradually. At first I was allowed light pink nail polish, lip gloss and mascara. When I was in 8th grade I was allowed to start wearing more makeup. We were very open about it and because I earned their trust, my parents let me wear makeup earlier than they probably would have otherwise.

The moral of the story is that an open discussion and earning your parents' trust is definitely worth it!



My suggested reading! Both of these books go over basic makeup, beauty and hygiene topics. I recommend them for all pre-teens, especially Bonding Over Beauty. I would get that one for any girl 12 and up, even if she isn't interested in makeup yet. There's a lot about puberty changes and hygiene. There are a lot of questions that teens have and are embarrassed to ask. Here are the answers!

Bobbi Brown Beauty Rules: Fabulous Looks, Beauty Essentials, and Life Lessons
Bonding over Beauty: A Mother-Daughter Beauty Guide to Foster Self-esteem, Confidence, and Trust

Prepare your skin

I always start by prepping my skin for makeup after washing my face. Whether your skin is oily, dry or combination, you need a moisturizing lotion. I always use one that includes sunscreen.

Because teenagers usually have much more even skin tone, I don't recommend a lot of coverage all over. I really wouldn't start using a foundation until you're older, it just isn't needed. If you do need a little coverage, a BB Cream is great. So, plain lotion with SPF for most days, but if your skin needs a little more coverage I'd try a BB Cream with SPF.

When picking a lotion or BB Cream, a light lotion with SPF works for pretty much everyone. Don't use a lot, about the size of a pea is generally enough for me with my combination skin. I spread it around and then pat it into my skin some. (I don't know why, I was taught this by a makeup artist at Sephora, but it really does make it look better!)

My Picks:
Kiehl's Ultra Moisture Lotion SPF 30 (at Kiehl's or Nordstrom)
Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture Broad Spectrum SPF 35 (get at ULTA or Drugstore.com)

For a BB Cream, you need to get the right shade for your skin. This can definitely be tricky, I strongly recommend looking around on-line at blog swatches of the shades to narrow it down before heading to the store. If you want a higher end product, go to Sephora and let them pick it out for you. If a drugstore shade, many stores have good return policies (such as CVS) and will let you bring back a product if the color didn't work for you.

My Picks:
Pond's Luminous Finish BB Plus Cream at Amazon or Drugstore.com
Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream (at ULTA or Amazon), there's also a Dream Pure BB Cream, which is the same thing but geared toward those with acne, (at ULTA) it has added Salicylic Acid.

Enhance Your Eyes

Before finishing my face makeup, I do my eyes. Really, I'm not so great at avoiding fallout of eyeshadow onto my cheek. So by doing my eyes before the rest of my face, it lets me wipe off any shadow without ruining makeup I've already applied.

I always start with an eye primer. Because I'm so fair I like to use one by NYX that has quite a bit of coverage, it hides all of my visible blood vessels. If this isn't an issue then you should be able to use any other eye primer. If you are planning on using a glittery eye shadow, I recommend a glitter primer, ELF and Too Faced both make good ones.

My Picks:
NYX Eye Shadow Base (at Target or ULTA)
e.l.f. Studio Eyeshadow Primer (from ELF)
e.l.f. essential glitter primer (from ELF)
Too Faced Shadow Insurance (from Too Faced or Sephora)
Urban Decay Potion Primer (at Sephora)



Once my primer is on, I'll apply shadow. There's a lot of information about how to choose the right color shadow for your eyes or apply shadow for your eye shape. I didn't start wearing shadow until I was about 17 or 18, but if you're interested in wearing some I'd start with lighter, neutral shades. My favorite shadows are well pigmented, blend easily and last all day. I don't like dipping into a shadow and have a ton of powder flying everywhere.

My favorite brands for shadows are MAC, Too Faced, Urban Decay, L'Oreal, CoverGirl and Wet n Wild. I also like the NYX single eye shadows (not the palettes, they are much more powdery), and Stila is also good.

My Picks:
Too Faced Natural Eyes Palette (at Too Faced or Sephora)
Wet n Wild Color Icon Collection Eyeshadow Trio in Walking On Eggshells (at Drugstore.com or Amazon), or Silent Treatment (from Amazon and Walgreens). Eyeshadow collection in Comfort Zone (from Drugstore.com or Walgreens)
CoverGirl Eye Enhancers 3 Kit Eye Shadow in Shimmering Sands (at Drugstore.com)
L'Oreal Paris Colour Riche Dual Effects Eye Shadow Perpetual Nude (from Drugstore.com)



Eye liner is definitely an optional thing at this point, again I didn't start wearing liner until I was in my late teen's, really more into my early 20's. I do not recommend thick black liner on the upper and lower lash lines. It will make your eyes look much smaller! I basically do what Cara does in this blended eyeliner tutorial over on Maskcara. I would go with a brown or grey instead of black and apply right into the lash line. Blend it well with a smudge brush.

My Picks:
CoverGirl Queen Collection Eyeliner in Chestnut (at Drugstore.com)
Smashbox Always Sharp Waterproof Kôhl Liner (at Sephora or Smashbox)
Stila Smudge Stick in Damsel (at Sephora)



Finally, mascara! I wore only mascara for most of high school. It's a very pretty and fresh look, and really can still draw a lot of attention to your eyes. I strongly recommend using an eyelash curler before applying mascara. My favorite is from Tweezerman, and I don't recommend using a cheap curler. You'll get lashes stuck in it and yes, it hurts as much as it sounds like! It's better to not use a curler at all than to use one that hurts!

There are a lot of great mascaras out there. If you have long lashes use a volumizing mascara. If you have thick lashes, use a lengthening mascara. I would only use waterproof mascara if you really need waterproof, it is hard to remove completely and you'll end up with residue stuck on your lashes.

My Picks:
Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara (from Sephora or Too Faced)
L'Oreal Voluminous Butterfly Mascara (at ULTA or Drugstore.com)
CoverGirl Flamed Out Mascara (at Drugstore.com or ULTA)




Finally, brows. They're very important for looking pulled together. Most teens probably do have some need for plucking (read more about how I pluck my eyebrows), but I really recommend having some restraint. A lot of girls go crazy with the tweezers and end up with much thinner brows than they should have, without the right arch, and they don't always grow back! Fuller is always better, especially since they will thin as you age. Having no eye brows in your 30s is not fun, I'm sure! When in doubt find an esthetician to shape your brows and just clean things up in between periodic visits to keep you on track.

Usually a little filling in will make your brows look more polished. You want to lightly fill them in, mostly in areas that are a little more skimpy. Your brows should not be drawn on or made to look very stylized a'la YouTube. It just looks strange in real life. If you have light brows you need to go a little darker with your shade, and if your brows are dark go with a lighter fill.

My Picks:
It Cosmetics Your Brows But Better Brow Power Skinny Pencil (at ULTA)
NYX Micro Brow Pencil (at ULTA)
L'Oreal Brow Stylist Plumper Brow Gel Mascara (at ULTA and Target)

Cover Up Skin Imperfections

As a teen pretty much the only imperfections that I needed to cover up were my blemishes. I would start with a redness corrector on blemishes (read more about how to use a color corrector), and then cover it up with a light layer of a liquid concealer that is the same shade as your skin. Set it with a little powder.

My Picks: Color Corrector
Maybelline Corrector Concealer from ULTA or Amazon
NYX Color Correcting Concealer Palette from NYX or ULTA
Wet n Wild CoverAll Corrector Palette (not online, search your local store)

My Picks: Concealer
NYX Above and Beyond Concealer Jar from NYX or ULTA
Maybelline Fit Me Concealer from Drugstore.com or Amazon
Too Faced Absolutely Flawless Concealer (from Too Faced or ULTA)

My Picks: Powder
NYX Stay Matte But Not Flat Powder Foundation from NYX and ULTA
e.l.f. Studio High Definition Powder from e.l.f. or Amazon
L'Oreal True Match Mineral Powder from ULTA and Amazon

Finish The Look

The rest of this list is even more optional than the things above, and it really depends a lot on your preferences. Don't want blush? Maybe try some bronzer. If you want a little extra glow, try a little highlighter. Everyone does need a lippie, but that can be simple plain chapstick to keep your lips hydrated, if you want some color try a tinted balm, or even a lip stain. Lipstick can be much more intensive, I personally won't wear it for every day use so I'm not including it on this list.

My Picks: Powder Blush
CoverGirl Clean Glow Blush from Amazon and Drugstore.com
NYX Powder Blush from NYX and Amazon
Too Faced Sweethearts Perfect Flush Blush (from Sephora or Too Faced)

My Picks: Cream Blush
If you have a problem getting powder blush to stay all day or want an extra glowy look, try cream instead of powder. I apply with the same brush that I use for powder blush, it gives a more even look than using your fingers.
Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush from Drugstore.com or ULTA
Stila Convertible Color (at Sephora or Stila)

My Picks: Highlighters
e.l.f. Essential Shimmering Facial Whip from e.l.f.
NYX Born To Glow Liquid Illuminator from ULTA or NYX
RMS Beauty Living Luminizer (at Birchbox or Anthropologie)

My Picks: Bronzer
Too Faced Soleil Matte Bronzer (from Too Faced or Sephora)
Wet n Wild Color Icon Collection Bronzer (at Amazon or Drugstore.com)

My Picks: Lippies
I recommend going for something that you can easily pop into the pocket of your jeans and reapply while on the go! Tinted balms and lip stains will be perfect to provide a bit of color for hours.
Bonne Bell Lip Smacker Lip Gloss in Dr. Pepper (at Drugstore.com)
CoverGirl Outlast Lip Stain (at ULTA or Drugstore.com)
Yves Saint Laurent Volupté Tint-In-Oil (from Sephora)





You'll notice that I've listed a lot of stuff. Do you need all of this? NO. Absolutely not. This should be one of those things where you pick and choose what you need/want to try based upon your needs. It is very important to remember that when you wear a lot of makeup as a teen, it is much easier to cross over into the "trying much too hard" area than it is for an adult. If you have blotchy skin, use a BB Cream and concealer as needed. Maybe a bit of blush and whatever you want to do with your eyes. That's pretty good. Have great skin? Just a light moisturizer (and yes, you need it even if your skin is oily, oil is not the same as hydration), maybe a bit of blush or bronzer and some lip stain. Don't pick everything on this list!

I hope this helps! I'll have upcoming posts with individual recommendations, and my friend Julia (who is 14) is even sharing her makeup favorites! You can also see more of my picks over in this post, on eBay!





Product Sent for Review Affiliate Links I Bought It Myself

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Teen Makeup: Great Product Picks from Cosmetically Challenged

Nothing to Disclose


Living with a skin disorder is hard, especially when it’s strategically placed on your right eye and you're married to a 6’3 250lb ex-football player! I constantly find myself saying, “Yes, everything is fine at home!” Now that I’m older I’m not as self-conscious about my skin disorder as I used to be. Before, I was all about not leaving the house without covering it up but, this period of low self esteem helped spiked my love for makeup and its amazing ability to transform you’re look with a flick of the wrist.

If you’re a teen dealing with a skin disorder and you’re looking to create a beauty kit on a budget I’ve shared with you my favorite correctors and concealers. I’ve also included some of my other favorite beauty items that will help you complete your entire look!

• Choose a corrector or a concealer. If you’re looking to cancel out redness a Green Toned Corrector works well. If you’re looking to conceal dark birthmarks or disorders try correctors or concealers that have salmon shades. Maybelline Cover Stick Corrector Concealers work great just for this! $5.49

• Choose a foundation that will give you great coverage but not be too heavy. L’oreal True Match foundation comes in a range of shades and is great for all skin types! Choose a powder in the same shades to apply over your foundation to set it. $12.99

• Milani Baked Blush gives the option of a wonderfully pigmented blush with a bit of shimmer! $7.49

• Milani Runway Eyes and Baked Eye shadows give you a great array of colors that are super intense when applied wet! $7.99

• Maybelline The Rocket Mascara will really make your lashes take off! $7.99

• My favorite go to eyeliner is the Maybelline Ultra Liner. I love it because it’s waterproof and doesn’t smear. $5.10

• Maybelline Vivids and Color Whispers lipsticks are some of the hottest shades around. Be daring and go bright with the Vivids or tone it down with the Color Whispers. $7.49

• NYX has great range of inexpensive lip liners. You can find most of these at your local beauty supply store retailing for as little as $2.00 per pencil.


These are my number one go to beauty products for creating an amazing flawless yet simple look. Remember beauty is only in the eye of the beholder. If you feel fabulous then you are!


Melody is the blogger behind Cosmetically Challenged, and one of the beauty bloggers I talk to the most! She's an amazingly sweet person who also happens to be working on her PhD, working to save the world from Malaria! Her blog is definitely worth reading daily, her pictures will make you want to buy every Maybelline Vivid Lippie. I'm not kidding.

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Teen Makeup Kit by Elle: What Another Teen Would Pick!

Nothing to Disclose

Today I want to share another Teen Makeup kit, today from Elle! Over on my friend Kelly's Teen Makeup Kit, Elle had a lot of great recommendations. I asked her to share her picks with everyone. She's a recent high school graduate, so she's definitely closer to Karen in age than I am.


• e. l. f. Eyelid Primer ($1.00)
• Wet N Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Collection in Comfort Zone ($4.99)
• e. l. f. Liquid Eyeliner in Coffee($1.00)
• Wet N Wild MegaPlump Mascara ($3.99)

This eye primer is great to start with since it's so inexpensive and will work on just about everyone. If you have extremely oily eyelids or are very active, consider purchasing one of the other two primers listed below.

For shadows, I highly recommend Comfort Zone as a starter palette. The shadows are gorgeous, apply easily, and are very pigmented but the real reason I choose this palette is the tutorials! There are many amazing tutorials on YouTube by women of all shapes and colors using this exact palette! If you are new to makeup application, it can be very helpful to watch step-by-step instructions. As if that wasn't enough, there is a quick chart on the back of the palette for reference.

The liner I recommend is a brown with a very thin brush: perfect for adding a little definition or even taking it thicker if you go to a dance or other special occasion.

Finally, the mascara is fantastic and I would recommend it to anybody regardless of budget!



• Physician's Formula Super BB All-in-1 Beauty Balm ($14.99)
• Wet N Wild Color Icon Blush in Pearlescent Pink ($2.99)

If your skin is clear enough or if you have freckles you want to show off, skip the BB cream and just use a sunscreen every day. If you have acne, use an acne cream with benzoyl peroxide in a thin layer on your problem areas underneath your sunsceen/BB cream. The blush is nice and shimmery and will complement any eye look you make using the Comfort Zone palette.


• Wet N Wild MegaSlicks Lip Gloss in Crystal Clear ($1.99)

You are young and these are your lip gloss days!

Total Cost: $30.95!


• Jesse's Girl Eyeshadow Primer ($5.99) or Wet N Wild Take On the Day Eye Primer ($5.49)
• e. l. f. Liquid Eyeliner in Copper ($1.00)
• Physician's Formula Sun Shield For Face ($8.95)
• NYX Round Case Lipstick in Iris ($4.49)


On the topic of brushes: All products I listed that require a brush come with an applicator, so buying brushes right now isn't necessary. $30 is already close enough to a day's wages (or more if you are working part-time!) for a minimum wage earner so I wouldn't try to get a teen to buy these things yet. But! Once you do feel like buying brushes, I so highly recommend Ecotools or realTechniques.

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Teen Beauty Picks from Makeup Artist Kim Porter

Nothing to Disclose


I feel that teen makeup should be polished and pretty, you never want people to notice your makeup more than they notice you! A simple routine that takes just a few minutes, is all you need to give your skin a pretty glow, and highlight your best features. Since I tend to use higher priced products in my kit, this was a fun challenge for me! I did a lot on internet searching for the best products and included some that I know to be tried and true favorites.

Foundation- Boots No7 Soft and Sheer Tinted Moisturizer $11.99
Concealer- Maybelline New York Cover Stick $4.84
Blush- e.l.f All Over Color Stick $1.00
Powder- Physicians Formula Mineral Loose Powder $9.00
Bronzer- Rimmel London Natural Bronzer $4.99

Eyeshadow- Wet ‘n Wild Eyeshadow Trios $2.99
Eyeliner- Maybelline Expert Wear Twin Brow and Eye Pencil $2.99
Mascara- Maybelline Great Lash $4.44
Lip Gloss- Wet ‘n Wild Glassy Gloss Lip Gel $2.99 and Neutrogena Moisture Shine gloss $7.99
Lash Curler- e.l.f Eyelash curler $1.00
Tweezers- Tweezerman mini $11.25

I included these extras because you will need brushes and keeping your skin clean and healthy is the most important thing!
Brushes- e.l.f Studio Brush Set $25.29
Cleanser- Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser $6.29
Toner- Dickenson’s Original Witch Hazel Toner $5.49
Eye Makeup Remover- Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover $7.99


Kim Porter has been in the makeup industry since 2001, establishing herself as one of the most sought after makeup artists in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. Her work can be seen in local and national wedding magazines, television for Fox News and CNBC, and her work with individual and group makeup lessons. Currently she is working on creating her signature line of cosmetics, Kim Porter Cosmetics, that will highlight flattering shades that are easy to use for all women. She lives with her husband and two children and blogs about makeup in her free time.

You can see all of her work at Makeup by Kim Porter.

More posts from Kim Porter

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Teen Beauty Makeup Kit from Gouldylox Reviews

Nothing to Disclose

I will never forget adding black eyeliner and gloss at the bus stop when I was 14. Those were good times! However, black eyeliner and gloss is a little harsh if you just want to look like yourself, but more polished. Instead, focus on evening out your skin, adding a little bit of radiance to your cheeks, a pop of color on your lips and a little shimmer to your eyes. Finish it off with a little mascara, in brown, not black, and you'll look like your best self. You know, what you'd look like if they photographed you to be in Seventeen magazine. Don't forget to protect your skin from sun damage. It's never too early to start good skin habits!

You don't have to spend a year's worth of allowance to look your best. I put this look together for $73.47 from drugstore.com. Be sure to look for coupons to save up to $10!

What's on my must-have list for teens? Here's everything you'll need to get the look!
Yes To Cucumbers Soothing SPF 30, $11.99
Revlon Photoready BB Cream, $8.79
Maybelline ExpertWear Quad Modern Metallics Sunlit Bronze, $3.99
Neutrogena Healthy Lengths Mascara in Brown, $8.99
L’Oreal Visible Lift Blush in Nude Lift, $11.59
Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in Peach Parfait, $5.99
Revlon Cushion Grip Lash Curler, $4.65
Eco Tools Brush Set, $9.99
Soho Safari Round Top Case, $7.49

What am I missing? What was in your first makeup kit? Tell us in the comments!


Today's kit was put together by my friend Kelly from Gouldylox Reviews. Kelly's blog has long been one of my favorite beauty blogs and I'm coveting her hair bun skills. She's also the founder of Karma Dogs and can often be found making me laugh on Facebook.

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A Teen Starter Makeup Kit Under $75?

Product Sent for Review, , Affiliate Links


Recently, I got this email in my inbox:

I am a 14 year old girl. I currently wear some makeup, but I would like to find some better cosmetics and wear a little more.

Unfortunately, I don't know where to start. I can't go to my mom for help, because she is one of those people that never wears makeup, but when she does it is a very minimal amount of expensive Clinique foundation. I can't get help from my friends either, because their parents buy them very high-end and expensive makeup, which I can't afford.

So I'm looking to you for help. I'm a huge fan of your blog and I think that you might me able to help me. I'm looking for some makeup that I can buy myself. It doesn't need to be super cheap, just affordable. I'm looking to be able to create a natural, everyday look, and be able to get to a full face of makeup for nicer occasions. I would really like a foundation/BB cream/Tinted moisturizer, blush, bronzer, highlight, concealer, eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara, lipstick/lip butter/lipgloss, and any needed tools. And maybe a few splurge-worthy items that are more expensive.

I have medium brown hair, grey-green eyes, and fair skin with an olive undertone. I also have a square face, hooded (but not Asian) eyes, and cheeks that are very round and look like they have no cheekbone. Near me, I have a Walgreens, Rite-Aid, CVS, and an Ulta. Farther away I have a Sephora. I would prefer to stay at about $75 or less in total, but it would be completely fine to be over that price.

I would really appreciate any products or advice you could give me. I truly am lost when it comes to makeup. I'd really appreciate it though if you could tell me an affordable eyeliner that doesn't smudge. I've had a lot of problems finding one.

Thank you so much. You have no idea how much this would mean to me.

So, I have to say that this challenge really excited me! I have this secret fantasy of helping all the girls in my life with their first makeup. I have no idea why, it just sounds like so much fun!

The author of this email (who asked to not be named, though let's just call her Karen to make it a bit easier), is right in the middle of that difficult period in which she wants to grow up and look older, but doing too much not only freaks out the parents, but it can just look...wrong. It's a really fine line to navigate, and if you go a bit overboard you'll become known as the girl that just tries too hard. That's definitely worse than having a more natural look that just accentuates your positives and makes you look pretty. Luckily Karen seems to realize that!

My ideal look for this age group is pretty minimal. You should wear as little face makeup as possible, often your skin is the envy of all the women around you, so covering it up isn't necessary and just looks too artificial. Keeping the shine down without looking like you are wearing a mask is pretty easy if you have the right products, and just adding a little color to lips and putting the emphasis on your eyes keeps your look age appropriate and pretty.

Here's a look at what my picks would be for Karen. Note that I'm just including prices (I priced things out at my local Target, but you can buy many of these items at drugstores and ULTA), not a total. I offered a few options for products in the pics, and there's more mentioned below.

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