How to Wear Makeup in High School To Look Natural

Co-authored by Alana Schober

Last Updated: February 6, 2023 References

Have you seen the girls in high school who seem to have the perfect makeup? Well you can be one of those girls without looking like a paint canvas. Even if you don't have the perfect skin.

Steps

1
Wash your face twice each day, once in the morning and again at night. You don't want that crusty skin on your face. After washing your face, apply a light moisturizer so your skin will be soft and your makeup will apply evenly.^{[1]
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American Academy of Dermatology
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2
Only use concealer if necessary. While most guides instruct you to apply concealer after your foundation, but in some cases you can look like you have bags under your eyes. You can use concealer on under eye circles and pimples.^{[2]
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3
Get a color a little lighter than your skin tone. Don't rub it on but dab it or pat it on and blend it in well.
4
Use a liquid foundation, if you have blotchy skin. If you have pretty even skin, use a tinted moisturizer. To apply liquid foundation get a little palette such as the top of my eyeshadow case. Dab your make up sponge in the foundation and apply to the middle of your forehead. Work the color toward the sides of you forehead. Do the same starting with your nose, chin and cheeks. If needed to blend it in, you can use a cloth like an old t-shirt.^{[3]
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5
Set in your foundation powder. Simply brush or pat it on.^{[4]
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6
Apply your blush.

If you want a beachy tan look get the big brush you used for powder. Lightly brush it in bronzer and apply evenly to skin. Don't add too much or your face will look darker than your neck.^{[5]
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Image titled Wear Makeup in High School To Look Natural Step 6

1
If you want a rosy glow, find a peachy or rosy looking blush and smile. Very lightly apply to the apple of your cheeks while smiling.
2
Enhance your eyes using Eyeliner.[^{[6]
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1. Set your elbow somewhere solid, put your finger a little below your eye, and pull down gently.
2. Put the eyeliner lightly on the line. Black is always cute but brown and gray are good choices too. You're enhancing, here.
3. Don't go bold.
- Top eyeliner is easy and adds a dramatic look if wanted. Put your finger to the side of your eye pull just so that eye shuts. Apply the eyeliner in a very thin line to where the eyelashes are growing. To make your eyes look bigger make the line a little bigger the further you go. For more drama, you can even use a blue!
- For a pop of color, you can line your waterline/lower lash line with a colored liner. Make sure it's not too obvious, though!
- Eyeshadow really enhances eyes and draws light and attention to them! Apply it either before or after your eyeliner. Advice: Don't use that crummy little brush that comes with your eyeshadow, it's usually no good. Get the real deal. Now, there are several ways to do your eyeshadow. You can swipe one simple color like silver, brown, or pink. Swipe one color and add a darker color into your crease. Ex.: Lid-gold, crease-dark brown, Highlight underneath the eyebrow-cream.^{[7]
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- It's not needed but if you want a look like you have longer eyelashes. Curl your lashes.^{[8]
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  Research source} Get that eyelash/eyebrow brush and brush you eyelashes so each are separate. Lightly mascara your eyelashes. One coat is enough, the falsie-effect isn't very natural and school-appropriate. If you're running short on time though and don't have time for eyeliner or shadow, dramatic lashes are a good pick if you can't pull off bold lips.
3
Don't forget your lips. Your lips are a central focus of the lower half of your face.^{[9]
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Research source} You don't need lipstick or those sticky glosses, but if you do use them, make sure they are coordinated in not only color, but moisture protection.
4
Apply some perfume and be on your way! A word on perfume: Go easy.^{[10]
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Research source} Try several different types. One perfume that smells wonderful on one person, smells like a toxic waste dump on another. It all depends on your body chemistry. Let other people tell you what it is.

Community Q&A

Question

What about eye shadow?

Community Answer

There are some eye shadows that are obviously very dramatic and unnatural, but there are also natural looks. If you stick to colors like brown/cream/nude tones, that's more natural than purple/blue/green/etc. Just applying a little bit over your eyelids is also subtle and cute.
Question

Can I wear thin winged eyeliner?

Community Answer

Yes! It's hard to be precise with eyeliner the smaller you go, but practice makes perfect!
Question

Can I wear mascara at school?

Community Answer

Yes, you can definitely wear mascara at school.

Warnings

Apply your makeup in sunlight or natural light. What you look like in one room may look totally different in another. Incandescent light, fluorescent light, and sunlight will all show differently.

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Get your colors coordinated. You don't want to look orange on your face, and white on your neck, or have on an eyeshadow that totally clashes with your hair or eye color.

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