How to Apply Makeup in Middle School

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1 Doing Subtle Makeup for School

2 Creating a Natural Day Look

3 Trying a Glam Look

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Co-authored by Kelly Chu and Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA

Last Updated: September 30, 2024 References

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Now that you’re getting older, you likely want to start wearing makeup. However, applying it can seem really hard. Fortunately, you don’t need that much makeup to look great! When you’re first learning to apply makeup, use a few products to create a subtle look that's great for school. Then, add a few new techniques to create the perfect natural day look for you. As you get used to makeup, you can start playing around with it to create a glam look for special occasions. Just make sure you have your parent’s permission beforehand.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Doing Subtle Makeup for School

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1. 1
   Apply a light moisturizer over your face to prime it for makeup. Put a pea-sized amount of moisturizer onto your finger, then dab it onto your face. Use your fingertips to work the moisturizer into your skin. Then, let it dry for 2-3 minutes before proceeding.

   • If you want more coverage, use a tinted moisturizer instead. Choose a shade that matches your skin tone. Start applying it at your nose, then work your way out to the edge of your face. Use a beauty blender or sponge to blend it into your hairline and jawline.
2. 2
   Use a concealer that matches your skin tone to cover blemishes. You can use concealer over your moisturizer, whether it's tinted or not. Put a dot of concealer onto your fingertip, then dab it over the areas you want to conceal, like acne, redness, or dark circles. Gently tap the edges of your concealer until it blends into your skin or tinted moisturizer.

   • Make sure you don't rub the concealer. If you do, it will reveal the blemish you're trying to hide.
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3. 3
   Swipe 1 coat of mascara onto your top lashes to open up your eyes. Start in the inside corner of your eye. Put your mascara brush close to the bottom of your upper lashes. Then, slowly pull the brush through your lashes to apply the mascara. Make several swipes as you work your way toward the outside corner of your eye. This will help you coat all of your lashes.

   • You don't need mascara on your lower lashes, as this will make your face look overdone.
   • If you’re having trouble applying your mascara because you keep blinking, don’t worry. This is totally normal! To make things easier, hold your mascara wand in front of your eye, then blink to pull your lashes through the wand. Blink several times to coat your lashes.
   • Replace your mascara every 3 months because it starts to collect bacteria.

   Tip: Choose a black mascara if you have dark lashes or a brown mascara if your lashes are blonde, red, or light brown. Alternatively, use a clear mascara to define your lashes without looking like you’re wearing makeup. This can be a great alternative if your school doesn’t allow makeup.
4. 4
   Put on tinted or clear lip balm or lip gloss. Use plain lip balm or clear gloss for an easy look. If you want a little color, pick a tinted lip balm or gloss in a pink or berry shade that's close to your natural lip color. Apply lip balm directly from the container. If you're using lip gloss, use the wand that came with your container to apply a thin layer. Then, smack your lips together to make sure it's evenly applied.

   • If it's allowed, carry your lip balm or gloss so you can re-apply it as needed.
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Quiz

wikiHow Quiz: What Makeup Should I Wear?

Makeup can help you get creative, feel confident, and spice up your style. As long as you feel amazing, your makeup is doing its job. But still, everyone has a makeup look that’s just made for them. So how can you find a makeup look that matches your style and essence? We’ve created a quiz that can help you do just that. Plus, we’ve even included advice on how to find the best products for your signature style.

1 of 12

How long does your morning makeup ritual take?

10 minutes.

20 minutes.

30 minutes.

It depends! If I am doing a day-to-day look, 30 minutes max. If it’s a show look, an hour.

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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Creating a Natural Day Look

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1. 1
   Build your everyday makeup kit. Going to look at makeup is really exciting, but it can also be overwhelming because there are so many choices. When you’re new to makeup, you don’t really need that many items. Start with the basics, then add more things as you figure out what you like. Here are the key items you’ll need for your beginner makeup kit:

   • Tinted moisturizer
   • Concealer
   • Bronzer
   • Blush
   • Eyeshadow palette with natural shades
   • Lip gloss or tinted lip balm
   • Mascara
   • Makeup sponge and brushes - beauty blender/sponge (optional), powder brush, fan brush, eyeshadow brush
2. 2
   Apply a tinted moisturizer if you want to even out your skin tone. Use your fingers or a beauty blender/sponge to dab the tinted moisturizer onto your skin. Start at your nose and blend out toward the edges of your face. Keep blending when your reach your hairline and jawline so that there’s not a harsh line around the edge of your face.

   • Tinted moisturizer is great because it evens out your skin tone but isn’t cakey.
   • It’s okay to skip this step if you just want to add a little color to your cheeks, eyes, and lips.
3. 3
   Dab a concealer that matches your skin tone over blemishes. After you put on your tinted moisturizer, put a dot of concealer onto your fingertip. Then, gently dab the product directly onto pimples, red patches, or dark circles. Use your fingertip to blend the edges of the concealer until they aren’t noticeable.

   • Don’t rub the concealer, as this will make it come off the pimple.
   • You can use concealer with or without tinted moisturizer.
   • You may need to reapply your concealer throughout the day to keep it in place.
4. 4
   Sweep bronzer onto your forehead, nose, and chin for a sunkissed look. Use a fantail brush because it will apply a light layer of product. Get a little bronzer onto the brush, then tap it to knock off excess product. Lightly sweep the bronzer across the top of your forehead. Then, dip and tap your brush again before sweeping it across your nose. Finally, apply a light sweep of bronzer along your jawline.

   • This step is optional, so it's okay to skip it.
   • Don’t apply more than 1 light sweep of bronzer or your face will look muddy.
   • If you have light skin, stick to a pale bronzer. For medium skin, choose a tan or sunkissed bronzer. If you have a dark skin tone, choose a deep or chocolate color.
5. 5
   Use a powder brush to sweep blush onto the apples of your cheeks. Pick a pink, rose, or peach color. Get a little blush onto your powder brush, then tap it against the container to knock off the excess. Next, lightly brush the blush onto the apples of your cheeks. Apply 1-2 layers of blush to enhance your natural beauty.

   • If you have a light skin tone, pick a pale shade. Medium skin tones pair best with medium shades, while darker skin tones look best with deeper shades.
   • The apples of your cheeks are the roundest part of your cheeks. They’re usually right below your eyes and will get bigger when you smile.
6. 6
   Sweep 1-2 layers of a neutral eyeshadow shade over your eyelids. Use an eyeshadow brush to apply the eyeshadow, even if your product came with a brush. Get a little shadow onto your brush, then tap it to remove the excess. Start at the inner corner of your eye and lightly pull the brush across your eyelid. For your second layer, start at the outer corner of your eye and sweep the brush toward the inner corner of your eye.

   • When you're first starting to wear makeup, pick colors like tan, light brown, pink, and peach. Lighter skin tones look best with light shades, while medium skin tones should stick to medium shades. Darker skin tones will pair best with a deeper shade.

   Variation: Play around with eyeshadow colors to try out different looks. For instance, pick up a palette with bright shades like pink, blue, and green. However, stick to clear lip balm or gloss when you’re playing up your eyes with fun colors.
7. 7
   Apply a single coat of mascara on your top lashes to enhance your eyes. Hold your mascara brush at the base of your eyelashes, then slowly pull up through your lashes. Make several swipes if necessary to coat all of your lashes. However, don’t apply more than 1 layer.

   • Don’t pump your mascara because this gets air into the tube, which can make bacteria grow.
8. 8
   Swipe on a tinted lip balm or lip gloss. Pick a rose, pink, or peach color for a little tint, or stick to a clear balm or gloss. If you’re using lip balm, apply it to your lips straight from the tube. With lip gloss, use the wand that came with your gloss to apply a light layer of product onto your lips. Then, rub your lips together to make sure the balm or gloss is evenly applied.

   • While roses, pinks, and peaches are a great color for everyone, the shade can vary depending on your skin tone. For lighter skin tones, go with a pale shade. Medium skin tones can go with a neutral shade, while dark skin tones pair best with a deeper shade.
   • Use lip balm if you want a subtle look or applied a color on your eyes. If you want to play up your lips, try a gloss.
   

   Rihanna, Founder, Fenty Beauty

   Have fun and take risks with makeup. "Makeup is there for you to have fun with. It should never feel like pressure. It should never feel like a uniform. Feel free to take chances, and take risks, and dare to do something new or different."
   
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Trying a Glam Look

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1. 1
   Even out your skin tone with tinted moisturizer to create a base. Use your beauty blender/sponge or your fingers to apply the tinted moisturizer. Start on your nose and work your way out to the edge of your face. Blend the moisturizer into your hairline and jawline to make it look natural. Put a small amount of concealer on blemishes and dark circles.

   • It’s best to skip foundation when you’re a tween. It will just look cakey and overdone, and it could break you out. Don't use it unless you need more coverage than BB cream and concealer.
2. 2
   Use a fantail brush to apply your bronzer to define your cheekbones. Dip the brush into your bronzer, then tap the brush on the side of the container to knock off any excess product. Next, sweep the bronzer underneath your cheek bones. This will create some contour on your face with just a little bit of makeup.

   • It’s okay to skip this step! However, it’s a great option if you want to try the contouring trend that’s popular on social media.
3. 3
   Sweep blush onto the apples of your cheeks using a powder brush. Dip your powder brush into the blush, then tap it to remove the excess. Apply the brush to your cheeks, then put on a second layer, if you like.

   • You can use the same blush you use for your day look, or you can go a shade darker.
4. 4
   Apply a metallic eyeshadow for a bolder eye look. Choose a bronze, gold, or silver eyeshadow. Get a little shadow onto your eyeshadow brush, then tap to remove the excess. Start in the inner corner of your eye and sweep the shadow across your eyelid. Next, apply a second layer starting in the outer corner of your eye.

   • It’s okay to apply a little more shadow when you’re going for a glam look.
   • Don’t worry about blending and contouring your eyes when you’re first getting started. Your metallic eyeshadow is all you need for a glam look that won’t look overdone or cakey.
5. 5
   Use a pencil eyeliner to draw a thin line above your upper eyelashes. Position your eyeliner pencil at the inner corner of your eye, then carefully draw a line to the middle of your eye. Move the pencil to the outer corner of your eye and draw a line to meet the first line. Next, line your other eye using the same technique.

   • As another option, draw several tiny dashes along your lash line from the outer corner to the inner corner.
   • Don’t line your bottom lashes, as this will look overdone.
   • Stick to brown eyeliner at first because it’s more subtle. When you’re ready, try black eyeliner for special occasions.
   • Pencil eyeliner is easiest to use, so use it at first. Later, you can play with other types of eyeliner.
6. 6
   Apply 1 coat of mascara to your top and bottom lashes. Pull the mascara through your bottom lashes first. Then, position the mascara wand at the base of your top lashes and pull in through the lashes. Make several swipes to coat all of your lashes with 1 layer of mascara.

   • Don’t apply several coats of mascara because they will end up looking cakey.
7. 7
   Use a sheer lipstick for a subtle glam effect. Sheer lipstick is a great option for tweens because it provides a little color but isn’t too dark. Choose a pink, peach, berry, or light red shade for a glam look. Then, apply a thin layer of your lipstick directly from the applicator. Finally, rub your lips together to make sure it’s even.

   • Try out different colors to see which one you like. Ask for samples at your local makeup counter or buy your product at a store that allows returns.
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Expert Q&A

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• Question

  What are some makeup mistakes that you should avoid?

  

  Kelly Chu
  Professional Makeup Artist

  Kelly is the lead makeup artist and educator of the Soyi Makeup and Hair team that is based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Soyi Makeup and Hair specializes in wedding and event makeup and hair. Over the past 5 years, the team has created bridal looks for over 800 brides in America, Asia, and Europe.

  

  Kelly Chu

  Professional Makeup Artist

  Expert Answer

  Avoid makeup mistakes like not cleaning and moisturizing the skin before applying makeup and not blending the foundation well. Do not use the wrong shade of foundation, have an unflattering eyebrow shape, or fill the brows too dark. Avoid applying the blush too low, overusing mascara on lower lashes, and using too much makeup product.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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  Not Helpful 0 Helpful 12
• Question

  How do you choose a facial sunscreen?

  

  Kelly Chu
  Professional Makeup Artist

  Kelly is the lead makeup artist and educator of the Soyi Makeup and Hair team that is based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Soyi Makeup and Hair specializes in wedding and event makeup and hair. Over the past 5 years, the team has created bridal looks for over 800 brides in America, Asia, and Europe.

  

  Kelly Chu

  Professional Makeup Artist

  Expert Answer

  For daily use, it is better to use a sunscreen product with at least SPF 30. A sunscreen product with at least SPF 50 is more suitable for prolonged use, swimming, or sweaty people. Physical sunscreen is preferable because it blocks the full spectrum of rays. While a chemical sunscreen only blocks a limited range and is not suitable for people with sensitive skin.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 1 Helpful 2
• Question

  What is a good everyday makeup look?

  

  Nini Efia Yang
  Makeup Artist

  Nini Efia Yang is a Makeup Artist based in San Francisco, California. She is the Owner of Nini's Epiphany, a makeup and hair studio. Nini’s Epiphany offers makeup and hair styling services for clients, and also perform permanent brow and lash procedures. They also perform special event styling services, including features like custom lashes, bridal hairstyles, airbrush makeup, bridal makeup trials, and makeup and hair changes for receptions. The company is also known for their classes, where they teach customers in personal or group settings how to improve their makeup and hair abilities. Nini has over 10 years of experience in the industry, and specializes in bridal makeup. Her work has been featured in Ceremony Magazine, They So Loved, and Wedding Window.

  

  Nini Efia Yang

  Makeup Artist

  Expert Answer

  I would recommend using a natural BB cream or a light foundation that has SPF and moisturizing agents for your face. If you want to go a little bit heavier, you can add a powder over your BB cream. Then, I would add mascara and a light blush.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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  Not Helpful 2 Helpful 9

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Tips

• If you can, visit a makeup counter at your local department store for a quick tutorial about how to apply makeup. This is an easy way to get one-on-one instruction from a professional.
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• Try new colors and techniques on weekends or breaks so you have time to wash your face and start over if you don’t like them. Everyone has makeup disasters, so don’t worry if a particular look doesn’t work for you.
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• Make sure that you are actually allowed to wear makeup at your school, if you intend to do so.
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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

• If you want to fill in your eyebrows, make sure to get a pencil that's a shade or two lighter than your eyebrows. Follow their natural shape of your brow so the makeup doesn't stand out.
• Even makeup has an expiration date! Check the labels and dates or else you could find yourself breaking out with acne or with blemishes. Throw out old makeup and buy fresh makeup.
• If you choose to wear a slight sparkly eyeshadow, then use a good brand. Cheap brands can crumble and fall down your face in different places.

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Warnings

• Don’t forget to take your makeup off before you go to sleep at night! Neglecting to do so will lead to breakouts and irritation.
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• Don't put more makeup on before gym class because it will likely melt off. Plus, you’ll probably end up with streaks on your face, and the makeup could clog your pores, which leads to pimples.
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• Stick to only a few brands so that if you have an allergic reaction you will know which brand you should stop using.
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