Advertisers spend millions of dollars trying to convince you to wear makeup on a day to day basis. Your peers and family members wear it. There are even whole sections at the store dedicated to different kinds of makeup. Now, it’s not required of you to wear makeup, but if you want to, there are plenty of places for you to wear different looks.
At School
At school, you want a look that’s light and refreshing. When finding a day-look, remember that being conservative is key.
Wear something simple like mascara and eye shadow that complements the colors in your outfit. For example, if you’re wearing a shirt that’s white with a design in green, try a light green eye shadow or even a light brown. Add a touch of lip gloss for some extra sparkle or gloss.
Fundamentals:
- Foundation and Powder
- Concealer (for those stubborn pimple days)
- Mascara
- Eye Shadow
On a Date
If you want to get dolled up for a date, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t. Keep in mind that you want the makeup to compliment your style, not take away from it.
Much like the school look, apply a color palate that will highlight the colors that are not the most prominent in your look. Before applying your makeup, establish a clean foundation by utilizing a primer. For some extra flare, try out a lipstick or lip gloss. Add some eye liner to make your appearance bolder than your day-look.
Wear:
- Primer
- Foundation and Powder
- Eye Liner
- Mascara
- Eye Shadow
- Lip Gloss
On the Job
Where you work determines the amount of makeup you should wear. If you’re starting out at a fast food restaurant, wearing less makeup is more appropriate. The fast food industry is known for its fast paced environment, which will probably cause you to sweat – you’d certainly be uncomfortable with makeup running off your face, so keep it simple.
In an office or customer service setting, you want to present yourself in a mature manner. This way you look like someone who is putting their best foot forward. You don’t want to go over the top in wearing makeup on the job, as you want to remain professional, so a natural look is a safe option. Style your look with a color palette that complements your natural beauty. If you’re wearing black pants with a white top, use a color that makes your eyes stand out. Add a soft lipstick if your lips need a little moisture or color.
Necessities:
- Foundation and Powder
- Water Proof Mascara
- Eye Shadow
- Blush and Lipstick (if it accentuates your natural features)
Outside (beach, pool, bike ride, mountains, outdoor concert, etc.)
This isn’t typically the place that most people think about wearing makeup, but it’s important to know that you can if it makes you feel more comfortable. When you’re outside, you want to enjoy the sun and your surroundings, but you want to feel confident too.
You don’t want to wear makeup that will weigh you down because you’re in the sun. Opt for a lightweight foundation with an SPF of at least 30. Add powder to lock in your foundation so it doesn’t melt away in the warm sunshine. Finally, swipe on some water proof mascara so your mascara doesn’t run when you decide to take a dip in the water, or while you’re breaking a sweat with outdoor activities such as hiking, biking or skiing.
Essentials:
- Water Proof Mascara
- Foundation (with an SPF of 30 or higher)
- Powder
A Night Out
When you want to try out new looks with more than just a few items of makeup, a girls night out is perfect for experimenting.
A night with the girls is your chance to create an extra bold look. Use eye liner to play around with a variety of smoky eyes utilizing a diverse color pallet. Play around with lip colors to brighten your beautiful smile, and brush on some blush for a dewy glow.
Must Haves:
- Foundation and Powder
- Mascara
- Eye Liner
- Eye Shadow
- Blush
- Lipstick/Lip gloss
It’s important to remember that it’s healthy to let your face breathe. This means giving your skin a break by not wearing makeup every day of the week and making sure that you remove your makeup with skin friendly cleansers at night.
There’s an appropriate amount of makeup to wear at certain places and in particular situations. It’s not always appropriate to wear bright red lipstick to church, but it’s tons of fun to wear it on a date.
A natural look is always beautiful, whether you use makeup to accentuate your natural beauty or you shy away from makeup entirely. It’s easy to enhance your authentic beauty with a little makeup, but always feel free to boost your appearance with stylish makeup for a special occasion.
Download Where to Wear Makeup
Download this PDF so you can reference what to wear.
