The teenage years are full of milestones… high school, driving, dating and MAKEUP!!! When you decide it is time for your teen to experiment with makeup, it is best to teach that less is more. And whether you teach your teen yourself or visit your favorite cosmetics store or beauty counter for a makeup application tutorial, first-time makeup should be easy and simply enhance natural beauty.
I began experimenting with makeup in junior high — clear mascara, blush and lip gloss. When I began high school, my mother took me to the Lancôme counter at Famous Barr (Macy’s). She knew I would listen to the professionals and their advice (she’s always right!!!). The beauty consultant taught me about wearing concealer to cover blemishes, enhancing my best features (eyes and lips) and appropriate day/evening looks for my age.
A few weeks ago, I had the great honor of taking my favorite teen, Miss C, (along with her wonderful mom) to Sephora at Kenwood Towne Center for her teen makeup consultation. Soon, she will be attending many events surrounding her eighth-grade graduation and entrance into high school. Miss C plans to wear makeup to these occasions; and she wanted to learn how to keep her appearance youthful and fresh, without looking overdone. At Sephora, she was going to learn how to accentuate her best traits with simple makeup.
Related: One Stop Shopping for Teens at Plato’s Closet
It’s easy to schedule a Customer Makeover… simply sign up at Sephora online and choose the day and time that works best for you. After arriving on Miss C’s appointment day, we were greeted by her friendly and stylish beauty advisor, Maggie. First, she taught Miss C how to choose and apply important skincare products such as SPF moisturizers and gentle cleansers. Then Maggie used the Color iQ on Miss C’s facial skin: “Take the guesswork out of choosing foundation, concealer and lip shades that are perfect for your skin tone. This one-of-a-kind technology scans the surface of your skin and assigns it a Color IQ number, which reveals scientifically precise product recommendations.”
Miss C was then given personalized advice on which makeup was best for her skin tone; and taught application techniques/tips to create fresh, effortless trendy looks for both day and night with subtle makeup in soft neutral hues. Throughout the lesson, Miss C was amazed at how the right shades enhanced her already gorgeous green eyes. And she felt that with more patience and practice, she could master the art of applying makeup for special occasions. Miss C is beautiful with or without makeup, but her day/night looks were just WOW!… subtle maturity.
Ultimately, you and your teen should decide together the appropriate time and events to begin wearing makeup. Your teen is beautiful inside and out; and makeup is only a tool that should simply enhance their features. Makeup does not define them. And if your teen is ready to wear makeup, I highly suggest to go to a professional beauty advisor to find the correct products for their skin, and teach the appropriate applications.
Kenwood Sephora offers Custom Makeovers for teens and adults. Sign up online for a 45-minute full-face makeover by one of their Beauty Advisors. Makeovers are complimentary with a $50 minimum purchase or $50 Gift Card purchase.
About Ainslie:
Ainslie Gordon is a St. Louis, Missouri native and graduate of the University of Missouri’s Journalism School. Her career has focused on advertising, public relations and event planning. In 2011, Ainslie and her family moved to Cincinnati; and she became a stay-at-mom and founder of the blog, Modhousewife.
Additionally, she was a fashion/trends contributor on Fox 19 and Fox 2. Currently, Ainslie is the Marketing Director for Game On! Fitness. She is also a Girl Scout leader and enjoys volunteering throughout the community.
She lives with her husband and daughter in West Chester and loves all things Disney. You can find Ainslie on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.