Back to School Makeup Looks: Natural Ways to Look Great, Even if Your School Bans Makeup!

More & more high schools are embracing a “no makeup” policy for students - but if you're stuck dealing with skin problems, the application of natural looking makeup feels like more of a necessity than a choice. Sadly, acne and oily skin can lead to bullying and peer rejection. During this critical time for building self-esteem, nothing should get in the way!

While it’s obvious why schools want to de-emphasize the importance of physical appearance, what about the thousands of teens who struggle with skin problems such as oily skin and acne breakouts?

​In so many scenarios, bullying begins because girls blessed with good looks feel the need to belittle girls who are faced with the completely normal cycle of hormonal skin changes. It's a sad but true fact that looks impact how we are viewed by our peers. 

Although the school’s intentions for enforcing this policy might be in the right place, they aren’t considering the negative effect that a makeup ban could have on some students. Thanks to many makeup companies who create blendable foundations and natural looking products, teens can easily fly under the radar of the makeup ban. Aside from that, a natural look beats thick caked on makeup any day, whether or not your school monitors makeup use.  Heavy makeup can actually trigger even more breakouts, so here are some tips on how to create your best natural makeup look with skin-friendly products! ​

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Skincare Products for Acne Prone Skin 

Acne is something that teens (and many adults) must battle daily. Unfortunately, acne is worse for some than others. While one person may only get 2 breakouts a month, others suffer from several per day.

​Conquering acne begins with good skin care! First & foremost, follow a good cleansing routine to ensure that breakouts don’t get worse. One simple and inexpensive treatment is to apply organic Apple Cider Vinegar as a toner, in the morning and evening. It prevents bacteria from cloistering inside pores, and kills the bacteria already present. Some people like to use it full-strength, but others dilute it with 50% water. You can try a few different application methods, to find the one best suited toward your skin.

Many chemical based toners are available on the market - just be sure to avoid ones that contain alcohol, as this can cause dryness and peeling. Contrary to popular belief, over-drying oily skin is not advantageous. Instead, skin will compensate by producing even MORE oil! For that reason, it's best to select toners that contain gentle and natural ingredients such as Witch Hazel, Essential Oils, Vinegar, Fruit Acids, and Aloe Vera. 

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Makeup to Cover Acne, Scars and Hyperpigmentation

To cover existing blemishes, use a gentle concealer designed for acne prone skin. Powder concealer is best, as it allows skin to circulate oxygen, so blemishes heal faster. Try Mattify Cosmetic’s Conceal-Zit & apply with a small concealer brush. It’s nearly impossible to find a liquid concealer without silicone (dimethicone), which is notorious for clogging pores. If your pores are on the smaller side, you could try Almay’s Clear Complexion Concealer, or a stick concealer like Tarte’s Waterproof Concealer. For those who need a sweat-proof and waterproof concealer, try Smart Cover Crème. ​

Coverage doesn't need to look thick or fake to be effective. This video shows a great before & after makeup tutorial that girls with acne are going to love! 

Acne breakouts can cause redness, swelling, and scarring – which is the reason many teens are always on the hunt for a quality foundation that will hide blemishes without making them worse.
A full coverage foundation is your best bet if skin coloration is severely uneven. Long wearing makeup has plenty of tint to hide acne and help your skin tone look even. This type of makeup also holds up well against oily skin, and does not disintegrate or fade away by day’s end.  

For medium coverage, try L’Oreal True Match Ultra Blendable Foundation. For full coverage try Estee Lauder’s Double Wear Maximum Cover or Dinair Airbrush Liquid in Natural or Matte Foundation. The Dinair brand is especially gentle for acne prone skin. It is water based, does not contain pore-clogging Dimethicone, and dries to a water resistant finish to keep blemishes hidden all day.

*It’s a common misconception that airbrush makeup must be applied with a sprayer. Instead, it can be applied with fingertips – just be sure to apply it quickly, as it dries fast. See the video below for how to apply Airbrush makeup without the sprayer. 
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Whichever foundation you select, it’s important to use a damp beauty blender, to smudge the edges around chin, jaw, and bottom of nose. This prevents any defining lines and helps makeup look more natural. ​

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Clear Transparent Face Powder for Oily Skin 

Those with oily skin already know that matte face powder is a must-have product in your makeup routine. It’s best to go with transparent powder rather than tinted - especially when you’re going for a “no makeup look”, as it doesn’t add a thick layer of coloring to your complexion.
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One of the most versatile and natural looking matte powders on the market is Mattify Cosmetic’s ULTRA Powder for Oily Skin. This powder is a true multi-tasker, and can be used alone, as primer, and/or as setting powder. It can be applied with a powder brush or a compact puff, but if you are using the puff be sure to blot, not rub. 

For those who have a clear complexion that doesn’t need much coverage (but still requires oil control) men and women alike can apply this powder alone, to achieve a shine-free finish.  This is ideal for anybody wanting to control unsightly oil, without looking like they have applied makeup. ​

This is a completely invisible form of makeup that controls oil for hours. If you do have blemishes to cover, the Mattify Ultra also works great as an oil control setting powder over any type of concealer or foundation, to prevent smudging and fading.

If you’re prone to acne breakouts, apply ULTRA Powder as primer, before your liquid makeup. This prevents foundation from clogging pores, and also stops your oily skin from causing makeup meltdown. For ultimate oil control, wear ULTRA Powder both before and after foundation, to ensure a long lasting look that looks naturally matte for hours. 

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Now that we've checked out some natural makeup looks, let's take a peek at how to wear eye shadow and lip products, which will accentuate your natural beauty without looking over-done. 

Eye Makeup Looks for Girls who Wear Glasses or Have Small Eyes

To key in on natural eyeshadow looks, it's important to use smudgeable brown eye liner or eye shadow. This prevents the line from looking too harsh and noticeable, while adding depth to your eyes. 

Trace a line of shimmery brown eye liner VERY close to upper lash line & smudge into a slight wing. Using brown eye shadow instead of black for this task will add depth to eyes without adding a noticeable stripe of color. Try Urban Decay’s 24/7 Eye Pencil in Underground using Smog or Double Life. If you prefer powder eye shadow, try Mattify Cosmetic's Long Lasting Eye Shadow in Disco Sunset. 

For added dimension, you can also smudge some brown liner or shadow on the outer 1/3 your lower lash line. This works especially well for girls who wear glasses, and prevents eyes from “disappearing” behind lenses. You can also add a tiny dot of white or nude shimmer to inner corners, to help small eyes look larger and brighter.    
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After the brown shadow is in place, curl lashes and use just 1 coat of waterproof mascara, which will hold curl all day. Be sure to use a lash comb to remove any telltale clumps. This is a simple and virtually makeup-free way to help your eyes stand out!

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Eyebrow Filler for Uneven or Sparse Eyebrows

Before you resort to a makeup fix, visit a salon to have your brows shaped. Most salons only charge around $15 to wax away stray hairs and give brows a shape that compliments your face. You can usually maintain that shape by plucking stray hairs, or return to the salon after a few months to have them re-waxed.

If your brows still need a little help in the shaping department, use a waterproof brow pencil that matches, or is 1 shade lighter than your brow color. Try Sephora’s Retractable Waterproof Brow Pencil, or Anastasia Perfect Brow Pencil, which both have built-in brushes. Since these are water-resistant formulas, they work wonderfully on oily skin types and resist smudging. You want to avoid negative attention to your “no makeup look”, so waterproof pencil is a must. To apply, draw small lines in the direction of hair growth and blend with the attached brow brush.

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Makeup Streaks & Fades Fast

Nothing screams “look at me” like a giant streak of mascara extending over your face after you fell asleep during 3rd period! Since you can’t apply makeup with a heavy hand & expect it to go unnoticed by school officials, you need some extra insurance for your makeup to survive the day. Use a makeup setting spray after you’ve finished your morning makeup routine.

Makeup setting sprays are clear and light-weight, so nobody will know your secret. Try Urban Decay’s All Nighter or NYX Matte Finish Setting Spray. Close your eyes and mist your face after all of your makeup has been applied, following the chart below.

These are an absolute must if you have oily skin, because sebum breaks down the chemical composition of makeup. Setting spray slows the process, allowing you 3x longer wear, without smudging or color transfer. 

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Final Rule: Cover the Bad, Show off the Good

​Everyone has features that they aren’t particularly fond of – thankfully makeup can help you minimize bad areas, so your flattering features can take center stage. Applying makeup with a light hand and not going overboard with bright colors will leave you with a beautiful, natural look.

Whether or not you’re facing a school makeup ban, always remember that natural makeup accentuates your confidence and looks 100x more flattering than caked-on war-paint!

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Author

Ashley Bergin is a blogger for HUB pages and a guest writer for many other sites. Her highlights include: DIY home and garden projects, health & beauty, venue reviews, and recipe ideas. She swears by the Mattify Cosmetics product line, which she credits for transforming her oily acne prone skin into a fresh new complexion.