Waking up for class at any time is always difficult. Whether it’s for an 8am or at noon, crawling out of the warm, cozy covers, especially as the New Hampshire winter approaches, is never easy. One of the top motivators to get out of bed for many girls is having enough time to do their makeup. Wearing a lot of makeup to class and out on an average day can be not only time consuming but too much. Here are 6 steps to a quick, natural, everyday look for any season!
1. Concealer
Do you wake up with bags or circles under your eyes? If you do, concealer is a great and easy way to cover it up! Even if you’re lucky enough not to have dark circles, it’s a great way to brighten up your face! The most effective way to use concealer is to put it under your eyes in a 7 shape going towards your nose, a line down your nose leading to a t-shape above your eyebrows and around the crease of your nostrils. Remember that concealer is thick and a little goes a long way! Another very important thing to remember is not to cake it on. To blend, use your finger or a flat brush. A key tip is to make sure you don’t rub it so much you end up rubbing it off.
Favorite drug store brand product: L’Oreal True Match Crayon Concealer
Favorite brand name product: Boi-ng by Benefit
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2. BB Cream
Instead of a thick, heavy foundation, try a BB cream or tinted moisturizer! BB cream, unlike foundation, has many benefits. Not only does it do the same cover-up job of foundation, it also contains moisturizer, primer, sunscreen and anti-again cream. All of these benefits plus, it wont make you break out unlike many foundations. Using your fingers or a stippling brush, apply BB cream all over your face. If you are using a stippling brush dab the cream, do not rub it in. It’s ok if your face looks shiny after this step.
Favorite Drugstore Brand Product: Revlon PhotoReady BB Cream
Favorite Brand Name Product: Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer
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3. Powder/Bronzer
Using powder is a great way to get rid of the dreaded “shiny face”. The powder will also set the BB cream and concealer. Using a fluffy power brush, dab the powder all over. Do not rub! This will just move the BB cream and concealer off your face! If you want to add a little color, use a bronzer, but not too much! You don’t want your neck to be a different color than your face. To attain a natural glow appearance, apply bronzer with a fluffy powder brush in a cursive uppercase E shaped stroke going from your forehead, then cheek, then chin and down your nose. Remember, BLEND!
Favorite Drugstore Brand Powder: Milani “The Multitasker” Powder
Favorite Drugstore Brand Bronzer: Revlon PHOTOREADY Bronzer
Favorite Brand Name Powder: Mac Mineralized Foundation
Favorite Brand Name Bronzer **HIGHLY recommended: Benefit Hoola Bronzer
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4. Blush
Blush is a perfect way to make your face look naturally beautiful! A step many girls skip, and one of the most important to totally transform your look. The key with blush is less IS more. Too much blush can make your face look too red or fake. To apply, make a large tooth-less smile and apply to the apples up to your temples and BLEND! One of the best drugstore makeup blushes that I have found is the dream bouncy blush by Maybelline. Very different from the traditional powder blush, the bouncy blush is a unique pillow like cream. To apply, lightly dab your index finger on the bouncy blush, dab on your cheeks, and blend.
Favorite Drugstore Product: Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush in the shade Hot Tamale
Favorite Brand Name Product: Bare Essentials Buxom True Hue Blush in the shade Swept Away
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5. Eyeliner
To keep your eyes from the nighttime look, avoid a cat eye style or eyeliner above the water line. For light eyes (greens/blues) try a dark brown color. For darker eyes (hazel or brown) black is the way to go. One tip to keep your eyes looking as big as they can, as well as keeping a natural day time look, apply eyeliner to only one third of the bottom water line. For the rest, try white eyeliner. Dark eyeliner on the bottom waterline can make your eyes look smaller. The white really brings out any eye color and makes them look bigger!
Favorite Drugstore Product: (although it’s not drug store, it’s only $5) Sephora Nano eyeliner
Favorite Brand Name Product: Tarte Skiny smolderEYES
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6. Mascara
Mascara is another product that really makes a difference. If you want to go all out with brand name mascara, I would highly recommend Benefit’s “They’re Real!” mascara… It really is amazing! If you want to stick with the less expensive drugstore products, Maybelline has the best mascara hands down! Try this trick, first apply the Maybelline pink and green bottle “Great Lash” then apply “Falsies”. I have found this makes your eyelashes look amazing!
Favorite Drugstore Product Combination: Maybelline Great Lash and Falsies
Favorite Brand Name Product **HIGHLY Reccomended: Benefit They’re Real!
Having a quick and natural make-up routine doesn’t only help save time and sleep. Knowing you can quickly bring out your best natural features can give you a confident boost! Remember, less is more and NATURAL beauty is best!