For older kids back to school can be a bit stressful, as they worry about their outfits and their hair and makeup. September can be a time of “the great shake down” while girls are trying out new styles and trying to find an everyday look they are comfortable with.
My girls aren’t there yet. My daughter’s biggest concern is whether or not mom’s going to let her wear the cool barrettes with the flowers on them to school (where they will get lost somewhere during recess and never be seen again).
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| This is currently my kid’s idea of high style. |
But I remember those days vividly, if not fondly. And I often find myself thinking about what tips to give my daughters as they get older.
Thinking back, here’s a few tips I would give to younger me….
* Don’t go for big dramatic changes, particularly not the night before class photos.
* Aim for a natural look.
* Experiment, find what you’re comfortable with.
* Practice on a day when you’ve got extra time, like the weekend.
* Keep in mind you need to get out the door in a timely fashion, and coming up with some elaborate hair-do and only getting half of it done before you need to leave isn’t going to turn out well.
* Forget about what everybody else is doing and focus on what makes you feel comfortable and confident.
* Worry more about washing your face well with a decent skin cleanser than about putting on makeup.
* You can go to school without wearing makeup, seriously, it’s ok.
* A little lipgloss goes a long way.
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| Me in Grade in 7, sporting bright blue eyeshadow, a new perm and a brocade vest — not my brightest fashion moment. |
And if you won’t listen to me, here’s a few tips from the professionals, COVERGIRL Make-up Pro, Veronica Chu; and Pantene Consulting Stylist, Justin German:
1. Every great beauty look starts with a great regimen:
“Following a daily hair care regimen is the basis of great looking hair! One of the staples of this is a shampoo and conditioner like the Pantene Daily Moisture Renewal Shampoo and Conditioner – I love this collection because it’s designed to repair hair, control moisture levels and prevent damage for a soft, smooth, moisturized feel. This makes it a fantastic option for girls experimenting with new styles and putting their hair through its paces so it looks healthy and strong.” – Justin German
“Similarly, great makeup starts with great skin. For young women in their teens or early twenties, their bodies are still growing and factors like stress and hormonal changes can cause skin to act out. I always recommend following a cleansing routine morning and night, followed by a good moisturizer. One of my favourite cleansers is the Olay Total Effects Refreshing Citrus Face Scrub – the oil free formula won’t clog pores and cleanses without over drying. For a moisturizer, apply the Olay Total Effects Featherweight Moisturizer – I like this one because it’s super light-weight and includes an SPF for added protection.” – Veronica Chu
2. Less is more:
“Playing with hair products and different hair styles is really fun, and it’s a great way to learn! But using too much product can leave hair crunchy, frizzy, flat, or oily. Start off with lighter products like detanglers or the Pantene Pro-V Stylers All-in-One Styling Balm to avoid this – the light multi-tasking formula tames frizz and flyaways while protecting from damage. As an added benefit, other styling products can be layered on top so it’s a great one to experiment and play with.” – Justin German
“When girls start asking to use makeup, think of it as a gradual transition with a very soft and natural feel. Mascara is an easy way to start experimenting – I usually suggest younger girls start with a single coat of brown mascara to give a more natural look. My favourite for beginners is COVERGIRL LashBlast Volume with its wide, straight barrel that makes it really easy to handle. Once comfortable with LashBlast Volume, then branch out and try others in the COVERGIRL LashBlast family (Bloom, Clump Crusher or Fusion) and experiment with other pigments.” – Veronica Chu
3. Fresh and effortless is in:
“Undone, dropped out waves are everywhere and they’re so easy to create, especially if your daughter showers at night. Simply apply a leave in conditioner to the hair while it’s still damp, then braid the hair. In the morning, break down the braid and spray the roots with Pantene Root Reboot Dry Shampoo, adding volume and texture. Not only is this look on trend, but it’s a great time saver too!” – Justin German
“Dewy skin is a staple for the upcoming season. What makes this look particularly good for younger girls is that it’s so natural for them – it’s all about a fresh youthful glow that they already have! To help bring out this natural glow and even out skin tone, apply a small amount of Olay Total Effects Pore Minimizing CC Cream. I love the extremely light weight, oil-free formula because it allows for even colour while minimizing the look of pores.” – Veronica Chu
What about you folks? What tips would you give to your younger self, or to your kids, when it comes to worrying about “your look”?
I would offer makeup remover to my younger self. I definitely over did the eye makeup. I would give her clear gloss or one with just a hint of color, light brown mascara/liner, powder and a mirror. 🙂 Less definitely would have been a better choice.