makeover for a teen girl

[Suzukimom]

My almost 14 year old dd wants to start wearing makeup. I think a mineral makeup might be a good choice but would entertain any other suggestions. Where could we go so she could sample the shades and get some instruction on how to apply foundation, blush, shadows, etc?

[halcyon]

That sounds like a fun endeavor. Do you or your daughter have any particular feelings about what kind of makeup or style sounds interesting? Does she have particular skin concerns? Are you looking for natural-ish brands in particular?

My first thought would be to make an appointment at a dept store counter like Clinique or Origins. Even though they might encourage you to purchase their makeup, don't feel like you need to unless you love it. It's more to learn the basic methods and have some fun.

I'd suggest doing some recon at the counter and finding an employee who wears the level of makeup you/DD like (i.e. natural-looking, dramatic, etc), and making an appointment with that person.

Another thing you could do is look at some books (Bobbi Brown and Sonia Kashuk have some good ones) that have detailed directions on how to do pretty, natural-looking makeup. They're good for reference and both artists present things in a positive way.

My last two cents: try to encourage her to see makeup as a creative way to accent her own natural beauty, not a necessary part of "being pretty". I know some people who seem to think they are not complete without makeup on and that makes me slightly sad. It should be fun, not obligatory!

Good luck!

ETA: If DD is interested in more natural cosmetics, places like Whole Foods and other natural-foods stores usually have a small selection of makeup, so if she finds shades she likes at a department store, she probably can find similar ones at WF or online. IIRC, EWG's "Skin Deep" database (ewg.org) has makeup listings as well.

[Leta]

Go to Everyday Minerals and order some samples. The sample package costs about $4 for shipping, if memory serves. You get 3 foundations (which you can get all the same shade if you want to), a concealer, and a blush, eyecolor, or bronzer.

Get your brushes from e.l.f. (eyes lips face). They're cheap, cool cases available, and they work great.

On how to apply, go to the library and get some books by Kevyn Aucoin. They'll tell you everything you ever needed or wanted to know about makeup, and oh so much more.

[milosmomma]

Originally Posted by halcyon

My first thought would be to make an appointment at a dept store counter like Clinique or Origins. Even though they might encourage you to purchase their makeup, don't feel like you need to unless you love it. It's more to learn the basic methods and have some fun.

I'd suggest doing some recon at the counter and finding an employee who wears the level of makeup you/DD like (i.e. natural-looking, dramatic, etc), and making an appointment with that person.

I've found that the make-up artists at MAC & Sephora are also generally enthusiastic about "spreading their knowledge". While they sometimes look very dramatic, they're always good about suggesting colors, etc.

Once she's had an initial consultation to teach her about application, by all means you can get whatever brand you want and let her play around.

[Suzukimom]

Originally Posted by milosmomma

I've found that the make-up artists at MAC & Sephora are also generally enthusiastic about "spreading their knowledge". While they sometimes look very dramatic, they're always good about suggesting colors, etc.

Once she's had an initial consultation to teach her about application, by all means you can get whatever brand you want and let her play around.

Where would I find a MAC or Sephora? I don't think I've heard of either one. Are they regional stores?

I was thinking of maybe checking out some drug store brands and getting her similar colors to the ones I use since we have similar hair, skin, and eye color.

I know Mary Kay consultants will come to your house and do you up but I don't want to feel obligated to buy something.

[halcyon]

MAC and Sephora are usually in the higher-end malls around here...they may be regional. You could check their websites (sephora.com and maccosmetics.com) for store locators. I took my mom out for makeovers a couple of months ago and it was lots of fun--hope you guys enjoy it!

Re Mary Kay...they do seem a little harder to evade. I had a classmate who was a Mary Kay consultant and she kept calling me weekly to "hang out" at some get-together. When I finally agreed it turned out she wanted to try to sell me cosmetics. It was a little peculiar, maybe she was a fluke though.

[milky_mama]

If you are interested in going the mineral make-up route, I wear Bare Escentuals and love it! You can wear the make-up and have a fresh, natural look. I wanted to wear make-up that covered up my blemishes and imperfections but also look natural, like I wasn't wearing any. When I bought my first sample/starter kit it came with a "how to" DVD about how to apply the make-up. It was really helpful to me because I was new to mineral make-up. I think it would also be great for young girls just learning how to apply make-up. I bought it from Sephora (as mentioned before by milosmomma) so that I wouldn't be obligated to buy monthly (you are automatically signed up to the club if you order directly from the Bare Escentuals website). You pick the color of the foundations that suite your skin tone best.

This is what the kit comes with: (taken from the Sephora website.)

This complete kit includes all the basic products to achieve radiant skin:
-Two shades of bareMinerals SPF 15 Foundation to ensure the perfect match. (Size: 0.06 oz)
-bareVitamins Skin Rev-er Upper: can be applied daily before applying bareMinerals to rev up your skin
-Mineral Veil: provides a translucent finishing touch to your makeup, infusing it with softness and adding a flawless finish. (Size: 0.06 oz)
-Warmth All Over Face Color: add an instant sun-kissed glow to skin where the sun would naturally touch. (Size: 0.06 oz)
-Flawless Application Brush
-Full Coverage Kabuki Brush
-Maximum Coverage Concealer Brush
-Bonus! A How-to DVD for tried and true beauty tips from Leslie Blodgett, Bare Escentuals CEO.

If you're interested, here is the link from the Sephora website:
http://www.sephora.com/browse/produc...dPaginate=true

HTH! Have fun!

[milosmomma]

Originally Posted by milky_mama

If you are interested in going the mineral make-up route, I wear Bare Escentuals and love it! You can wear the make-up and have a fresh, natural look. I wanted to wear make-up that covered up my blemishes and imperfections but also look natural, like I wasn't wearing any. When I bought my first sample/starter kit it came with a "how to" DVD about how to apply the make-up. It was really helpful to me because I was new to mineral make-up. I think it would also be great for young girls just learning how to apply make-up. I bought it from Sephora (as mentioned before by milosmomma) so that I wouldn't be obligated to buy monthly (you are automatically signed up to the club if you order directly from the Bare Escentuals website). You pick the color of the foundations that suite your skin tone best.

This is what the kit comes with: (taken from the Sephora website.)

This complete kit includes all the basic products to achieve radiant skin:
-Two shades of bareMinerals SPF 15 Foundation to ensure the perfect match. (Size: 0.06 oz)
-bareVitamins Skin Rev-er Upper: can be applied daily before applying bareMinerals to rev up your skin
-Mineral Veil: provides a translucent finishing touch to your makeup, infusing it with softness and adding a flawless finish. (Size: 0.06 oz)
-Warmth All Over Face Color: add an instant sun-kissed glow to skin where the sun would naturally touch. (Size: 0.06 oz)
-Flawless Application Brush
-Full Coverage Kabuki Brush
-Maximum Coverage Concealer Brush
-Bonus! A How-to DVD for tried and true beauty tips from Leslie Blodgett, Bare Escentuals CEO.

If you're interested, here is the link from the Sephora website:
http://www.sephora.com/browse/produc...dPaginate=true

HTH! Have fun!

This line also has eye shadows, blush, etc in very natural looking colors which would be GREAT for someone new to cosmetics

[Suzukimom]

Can you believe that they just opened, within the last month, a Sephora store in our area? I think this will be a fun mom/daughter activity. I also like the idea of Bare Escentuals. DD has some acne blemishes so this sounds like a good fit for her.

Thanks for all the sugestion.

[milky_mama]

That should be fun! Glad that they just opened up a Sephora near you. I think changing over to natural skin care and mineral make-up has helped my blemishes. If she needs something to cover up blemishes, Bare Escentuals does have concealer and you could also you the foundation with a small brush to cover up problem areas - sometimes that is enough. FYI - the concealer doesn't come with the intro. pack so you'd have to buy that seperately.
Have fun!