When you’re young, the world is your oyster. From the first days of school to first days on the job, to first dates with that special someone, life is peppered with new and exciting encounters, where the first impression means just about everything. Rather than crumble under the pressure, it’s important to stay poised and confident, and to be satisfied with your overall appearance – because, after all, that’s your first chance to make your mark. These big moments can be stressful, so we’ve asked Gail Sagel, Makeup Artist, President, and CEO of FACES Beautiful and creator of the Brush-On Liquid Mineral Makeup, to give us some beauty tips that can make life’s important first impressions just a little bit easier to handle.
First Day at School
· Here, the most important thing to remember is: don’t overdo it. You want to enhance your natural features, but still look like you. If you’re still tan from the summertime, apply a sheer tinted moisturizer and skip the foundation.
· A little color never hurt anyone. Add some blush or bronzer to spots that are fading, apply to the tops of the apples of your cheeks. A good trick for teens is to smile and apply blush – this helps you to focus on the right area of your face.
· Stick with a neutral colored eyeshadow for a classic day look. If you’re an eyeliner girl, make the liner thin; don’t go too thick or heavy. Save your dramatic eye looks for weekends and parties.
· Add a couple coats of mascara. Go with a pinkish or nude lip gloss that is close to your normal lip color.
· The most important thing is to feel confident and happy about the makeup you’re wearing, and not to hide underneath it. Highlight your beauty by keeping it simple and neat.
First Day at Work
· The hard part is over: you’ve got the job. But sometimes, the first day of work is even more stressful than the interview. Take a look around and observe the traditional makeup look of the workplace: it looks natural, but it’s not.
· Go with light-weight coverage, a tinted moisturizer or foundation, using just as little as possible on the face. Use concealer to hide any blemishes, and choose a blush color that complements your skin tone. Mimic your natural flush shade for a flattering choice that is not overpowering.
· A matte lip color, either a lipstick or lip stain, is the most appropriate option. Gloss can be distracting and needs to be reapplied regularly.
· Eye shadows in tan, brown, and cream that blend with your skin tone is the best bet for the workplace. A little shimmer is fine, as long as it’s not extreme.
· A thin line of eyeliner and mascara should be sufficient. A little extra eyeliner that is done neatly is certainly acceptable, but skip the drama of a liquid liner. You want to be able to focus on your daily tasks, and not have to worry about reapplying your makeup.
First Date
· First dates are all about expressing yourself. When in doubt, use the less is more approach; don’t overcompensate for mistakes with more makeup.
· Use a concealer for blemishes, a bit of foundation to blend skin tone, and powder if needed. Go for a natural blush color at the tops of the apples of your cheeks. Dab some white eye shadow into the corner of your eye; this will make your eyes pop.
· Pick one area of your face to go a little crazy. The eyes are always a good choice here. Whether you choose a smoky look, using neutral browns to blend a sultry shade, or a light, sparkly,creamy shadow, both options are flattering and fun.
· Use a few coats of mascara and your favorite eyeliner, liquid or pencil, to create a dramatic look. Keep lips simple with a soft nude gloss. If you go with a bolder lip, tone down the eyes so that one area of your face really draws the attention.
· Don’t overdo makeup in multiple areas. You want to look like you, just a little bit fancier. Have fun with your look, and use it to demonstrate your personality by showcasing your best features.
