By Krystal Yang
Ain’t nobody got time to do their makeup in the morning. As a high school student, I understand that more than anyone. However, as strange as it sounds, putting on makeup is therapeutic for me. In a dark world of negativity, wearing makeup makes me more confident. However, if other students are not quite ready to rock neon-pink eyeshadow to school, I have some tips and products that can help students feel put together but still allow them to get to school on time. All the products I suggest will be from the drugstore, because who has the money to buy expensive makeup when you can get makeup products of equal quality at your local Target?
- Wear SPF! Medically, it is important to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Sun rays can affect the skin even when you are not outside or when it is a cloudy day, so it is important to wear SPF. I use Eucerin Everyday Face Protection SPF 30, which moisturizes my skin and protects it from the sun all day long.
- Opt for a BB-cream or tinted moisturizer. As someone who has struggled with cystic acne, I suggest using the Covergirl Clean Matte BB-Cream for oily-skinned folks. For normal skin, I recommend the Maybelline Dream Fresh BB-Cream, which has a very natural finish. For dry or sensitive skin, the Garnier Skin Renew is gentle but still has good coverage. BB-cream or tinted moisturizers have lighter, more breathable formulas than foundations, but they still cover spots on the skin with a natural finish.
- Brow powder is your best friend. Social media nowadays greatly emphasizes eyebrows. However, even the most seasoned makeup artists require time to perfect those Instagram brows. To save time, use brow powder instead of a pencil or pomade. I love using the NYX Eyebrow Cake in the Black/Gray shade since it matches my black hair. This product looks very natural, comes with a brush and spoolie, and lasts a long time. I just dip into the product and brush it onto my eyebrows to darken them and give slight definition.
- Save time on eye makeup by using one eyeshadow. I love the formula of Wet n Wild eyeshadows, which come in sets of three for as cheap as two dollars! I use the brown shade in the Walking on Eggshells palette. I apply the shadow by using the ring finger to press and blend it onto my lids. Try using a brown shadow that blends well with your skin tone, which will bring color to your eyes. Eye makeup complete in thirty seconds! I also suggest Milani and Loreal eyeshadows! Optionally, use a darker brown (or gray) eyeshadow to line your eyelids. Eyeshadow is more forgiving than ink from an eyeliner, and if you mess up, you can just blend it away from your finger.
- Skip the mascara. If you smudge your mascara, then you will probably have to restart your eye makeup (because nobody wants racoon eyes). Prevent possible accidents by ditching the mascara altogether. Another option is using waterproof mascara as it is less likely to flake and melt off.
- Pull the look together with a pigmented lipstick! A bright lipstick will compliment the minimal eye look. I love the Maybelline Creamy Mattes, NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams, Milani Color Statement Lipsticks, and Revlon Balmstains. Experiment with different lip colors to find the one that suits you the best.
- If you have time, add some more face makeup. Bring dimension to your face with bronzer, blush, and highlight. I recommend ELF (Eyes, Lips, Face) Cosmetics for all three of these categories. ELF bronzers and blush usually come in sets of four, which make them even more affordable. For a natural look, after dipping the brush into the product, tap the excess on the back of your hand before applying. Physicians Formula is a slightly more expensive drugstore brand, but their blushes, bronzers, and highlighters are also amazing!
- You’re done! This may seem like a lot of steps, but once it becomes routine, it should not take longer than five minutes to finish. To be even quicker, I apply my lipstick on the bus to school.
The biggest takeaway from this list, is, of course, to never wear makeup to impress other people, to make yourself seem more beautiful to the world around you. Wear makeup for yourself, wear blue lipstick to school, wear purple eyeshadow at home, flip your hair at people who judge you for your smudged eyeliner. Or don’t even wear makeup at all, because you are beautiful in every way.
