Back to School Beauty Tips

Don’t Cake it On

There is nothing worse than cake-face, and heavy foundations are the last thing you need to be concerned with when starting school. Sure, you might look bangin’ during first period, but as the day goes on, chances are you’ll start to melt, and wind up looking like a hot mess before you even make it to gym class. Instead, opt for lighter, oil-free foundation which will ensure that you look fresh all day. I am so not a fan of mineral makeup for photoshoots, but for everyday wear, they can be a great option. If you have good skin, tinted moisturizers are super light feeling, but give you enough sheer color to even out skin tone. Just dab concealer over blemishes and your good to go!

Keep it Fresh-

School days are loooong, and chances are the makeup you apply in the morning is not going to last you ’til the end of the day. If you have any after-school activities, you can pretty much forget about it. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to stay fresh all day long.

1. Blotting Sheets:

These little things can be a lifesaver on hot days. I tend to get really shiny on my t-zone. When I was in high school I would constantly take down shine with my Covergirl pressed powder compact ALL day long, and at the end of the day my face felt so gross and thick from piling product on it non-stop. Blotting sheets solve this problem. Just press it on any shiny spot and it absorbs oil, leaving your skin matte without applying any product! The best thing is they are so CHEAP. Elf carries a pack of 50 sheets for $1! I use these on set all the time.

*Bonus Tip* If you are in a bind and all out of blotting sheets, book it to the nearest bathroom, rip a little piece off of a (clean) toilet seat cover and press it on your face. It does exactly the same thing, for free. I know… it sounds really weird and gross, but it totally works!

2. Primers

Using makeup primers are great ways to ensure you are getting enough longevity out of your makeup. I use primers for brides religiously because I am not always able to stay and make sure the makeup looks flawless all day. If a crazy bridezilla can keep her makeup fresh all day, I guarantee that you can too! I love Smashbox’s Photofinish Primer, it is a staple in my makeup kit. They also make a “light” version that is not as greasy as the original. Laura Mercier makes a great face primer as well. For eyes, I swipe Urban Decay’s Primer Potion on the eyelid before applying eyeshadow and it keeps the shadows from creasing all day.

3. Dry Shampoo-

I used to loathe gym class. Thinking about it still makes me nervous. My teacher used chase us on her mountain bike and threaten to “nip our heels” if we didn’t pick up the pace. Seriously, the bell could not ring fast enough, and when it did, I was sweaty, smelly, and my hair looked like crap.

Dry shampoo will save your life. Not really, but it is the perfect pick-me-up when your locks are not are luscious as they were 45 minutes ago. Spray or sprinkle the powder in your hair, brush it out and you can save yourself another day before washing. Use after gym, and your sweaty limp hair will be refreshed and ready for next period. I like and use Oscar Blandi’s Dry Shampoo (not the spray). Tigi just came out with a new one called Rockoholic. It’s pretty good and smells amazing, but the bottle doesn’t last very long.

*Bonus Tip* Baby powder is a super cheap way to soak up excess oils in your hair! Just make sure that you brush it all out ,or your hair will give off a gray hue and people might think you are prematurely aging. Not cute.

Prolong Your Summer Tan-

Everybody knows how bad tanning is for your skin, but let’s face it, it does not stop people from laying out. However you got your tan this summer, whether it be through frying in the sun, or slathering on self tanner, follow these steps to make sure your glow keeps rockin’ well into the school year.

1. Moisturize!-

Keeping your body moisturized will help prolong real tans as well as fake ones. Dry skin cracks, making your color fade much quicker. Lather on a moisturizer after you get out of the shower. Even better if it contains SPF!

2. Switch to Gradual Self-Tanners-

Once fall starts approaching, deep dark tans can scream fake. Switch to a gradual self-tanner and control the color of your skin. Gradual tanners also tend to look more natural and give you a subtle glow.

3. Bronzer-

Brush a little bronzer over your face for instant sun-kissed beauty. When applying bronzer, I like to only hit the spots of the face where the sun would normally touch: forehead, cheeks, chin and nose. Don’t go overboard or you can easily look dirty, not sun-kissed. I love NARS Laguna bronzer but N.Y.C makes an amazing bronzer for ridiculously cheap (like under $4)! It’s kind of an industry secret

Multitask-

Products with multiple purposes make my life a little easier, and I’m sure that you will be able to reap the same benefits! Add a little glow to your cheeks and your lips! These products do double duty, saving you some precious morning time.

Stila- Convertible Color: Lillium is a natural color that will brighten you up and give you a fresh look.

Nars- The Multiple: These come in 12 amazing shades. They are a bit more expensive but SOO worth it.

Benefit- Benetint: Give your lips a rosy stain and your cheeks a sexy flush.

Fake It-

Chances are you’ve been sleeping in all summer. Getting back in the swing of things once school starts can definitely prove to be difficult. Follow these simple tricks to give yourself that well rested look, even though you feel like hell.

1. White/Nude Eyeliner

Line the rim of your eyes with a white eyeliner and they instantly appear wider and brighter! If you’re feeling that white is making you look a little dated, try nude. I love using a nude pencil on models and actors that didn’t get much sleep the night before, and they love me for it!

2. Curl Your Eyelashes.

Using an eyelash curler can do wonders to make you look like you’ve got an easy 9 hours of sleep under your belt. Follow up with some mascara and you’re good to go!

3. Put a Little Color On Your Cheeks.

Adding color to your cheeks can make a world of difference to a dull complexion. It’s an instant pick me up brings life to your face. While you’re at it, dab some color on your lips too! (See “Multitask” Above).