Back-to-School Makeup 2008 Buying Guide

Heading back to school may not be your favourite time of year, but that doesn't mean you can't look great in the hallways. You'll find everything you need to look stunning from chemistry class to the football game.

Makeup Tips

• Don't be a clown. Your makeup  should look natural, not caked on. You should look like you aren't trying too hard, not like you are ready to walk down a runway.
• Don't try to look older than you are. This is a big mistake that is made with school makeup. Whether you're in secondary school or university, wearing overly sophisticated makeup will make you look like you are playing dress up. It's not going to fool anyone.
• Focus on one feature to highlight. This is perhaps the most valuable tip in beauty. Trends change, but this concept generally stays well accepted. This doesn't mean that you solely wear eye makeup  though. The idea is to cover up flaws on your face and draw attention to one strength of your face. Wear natural makeup, and only add colour and highlights to one feature.
• Experiment. Being young is about finding all your strengths and weaknesses and adjusting accordingly. Makeup is really no different. If you are just starting out with makeup, get a large makeup kit  and see what colours look good on your face. Buy a few beauty magazines  and try out new trends, or pick out classic looks from films and television.
• Take care of yourself. It's great that we have makeup to mask flaws, but many of these issues can be corrected by living a healthier lifestyle. Drinking plenty of water and getting a full night's rest will naturally rejuvenate your skin (at a much lower price).
• Try to find a quick makeup routine. Most students will oversleep or generally do not have much time to get ready in the morning. You'll look better if you get that extra 30 minutes of sleep and just wear simple, quick makeup than if you get up a half hour early and do a complicated makeup regimen.
• Watch under your eyes. The most common beauty blunder of students is not treating bags and circles under the eyes. Yes, you'll have a few all-nighters, and no, you won't get eight hours of sleep every night. That doesn't mean that you should show up to first period looking half raccoon. Applying eye creams  at night and using a yellow colour corrector  or concealer  under the eyes will actually convince your history teacher that you didn't procrastinate on that term paper and pull an all-nighter. A+ to that.
• Wash your face. Great skin is better than having all the best makeup in the world. Make sure you use acne treatments if you struggle with blemishes. Use a face scrub that is made for your skin type (oily,  dry,  combo,  sensitive,  etc) and use moisturizer  in the mornings. Models and celebrities often endorse this beauty must: taking off makeup before bed. Not only does it save your pillow  from gross makeup stains, but it makes your skin look fresh and awake.
• Ditch the lipstick.  Lipstick is just too old looking for most students to pull off. Go with a tinted lip gloss  if you want a young, hip burst of colour.
• Once you find what makeup works for you, buy extras for a makeup bag.  Bring a small makeup bag to school to store in your locker or purse in case you need to touch up your face after gym class.

Top Makeup Picks

Get an A+ with These Products
Almay Smart Shade Blush and Bronzer  This product contains small beads that activate the product to find the perfect blush/bronzer shade for your unique skin tone.	CoverGirl LashBlast Mascara  This product won for best eye product at this year's CEW Beauty Awards. Get perfectly dramatic eyelashes at a reasonable price.	Bare Escentuals RareMinerals Blemish Therapy  Clinically proven to reduce blemishes, this product is top in its class for fighting acne. Reapply throughout the day without drying out your skin!	L'Oréal Paris Revitalift UV Daily Moisturizing Cream with Mexoryl SX  This moisturizer is best in its category for fighting dry skin and both long and short UVA rays (the number one cause of skin aging). Use this and you are basically guaranteeing you'll not only look great in the hallways now, but you'll be a knockout at the reunion as well.	Philosophy the Present: Clear Makeup  This is one of the most light-weight foundations  out there. Get a perfect, airbrushed look that will look light and natural.

Urban Decay Ammo Shadow Box Palette  Get ten of Urban Decay's  best selling eyeshadows  in this box. The colours range from natural tones great for the classroom and more dramatic shades perfect for the movies.	Physicians Formula Organic Wear Powder  Great for all skin types, this powder  will leave your skin fresh and youthful. Perfect for a quick morning routine.	M*A*C Cosmetics Powerpoint Eye Pencil  in Industry  or Grey Utility  Try one of these shades of grey to wear to school. This fall is big on grey eye makeup,  so thinly line your top and bottom lids with this amazing eyeliner pencil.	Laura Geller Bronze & Brighten  Make it look as if you came straight from the beach with this product. It gives your cheeks a sun-kissed look without looking fake, orange, and sparkly. It also makes a great eyeshadow.	Olay Regenerist Eye Derma-Pod Anti-Aging Triple Response System  Fight all-nighters the next morning with this product. Specially formulated to treat under-eye bags and wrinkles, this product was top in its class at the CEW Beauty Awards.

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Back-to-School Clothes for Teens	Autumn Makeup Guide	Back-to-School 2008	Back-to-School Gadgets	School Supplies