34 Back-to-School Makeup Ideas You Need to Try Right Now
1/35While your calendar packed with classes, club meetings, football games, volunteering and dances might seem overwhelming, don’t forget that these events for the new school year also offer optimum opportunities to debut all the latest beauty looks you’ve been eyeing. From backstage at Fashion Week, to your Instagram feed, to the Teen Choice Awards, inspiration is everywhere. And to get you started, we’ve narrowed down 35 killer beauty tips and tricks to try out along with all your cool new hairstyles.
2/35Grin and bare it.
The secret to copying Bella Hadid’s flawless no-makeup, makeup look (aside from really good genes): a multi-tasking BB cream, like Maybelline’s Dream Fresh BB 8-in-1 Beauty Balm Skin Perfector.
WireImage3/35See red.
Flip the script on a smoky eye with a highly-pigmented, coppery orange hue, like MAC’s eyeshadow in Brick Red.
4/35Sing the blues.
Co-opt Aria’s Lucy Hale’s winning Teen Choice Awards striking look by drawing a line of shimmery electric blue (try Urban Decay 24/7 Glide on Eye Pencil in the appropriately-named Chaos) over your shadow.
FilmMagic5/35Favor the bold brow.
If you’re crunched for time, but still want to make an impact (or just hate that overly made up look) take a quick moment to define your eyebrows with TouchBack Brow Marker. Oh hai.
6/35Give your mani the royal treatment.
Lose those summery pastels, and go for a rich, shimmery jewel tone on your nails, like Butter London in HRH.
Antonello Trio/IMAXTREE.COM7/35Keep it balmy.
Blustery, cold fall weather is on its way, so stash a super-moisturizing lip balm in your locker or bag — especially if you’re spending hours outside for after school activities. Try Sun Bum Scented Lip Balm infused with vitamin E, aloe, cocoa butter and the all-important SPF 30.
FilmMagic8/35Lash out.
For a fresh-faced, but still mysteriously glam effect, swipe on a volumizing, lengthening and curling mascara like Flower Zoom-In Ultimate Mascara. Then counter with a soft, rose pink lip or even a nude gloss — and done.
9/35Go for the glitz.
When a basic cat eye just won’t do, bring in the sparkle. First draw a thick line from the wing flip to your inner eye with Urban Decay Glitter Eyeliner in gold-hued Midnight Cowboy and then add a layer of glittery teal Amp along your lash line.
Alessandro Zeno/IMAXTREE.COM10/35Reset and recharge.
Give your skin an afternoon pick me up with a refreshing, reviving and adorably packaged moisturizing mist, like the Tony Moly Pocket Bunny Moist Mist. (Also, remember to hydrate regularly throughout the day.)
Antonello Trio/IMAXTREE.COM11/35Let your freckles show.
Bring out, and embrace your natural complexion — instead of masking it — with a light, tinted moisturizer. We like Glossier’s Perfecting Skin Tint.
GC Images12/35Think (bright) pink.
Pro-tip: Nars Semi-Matte Lipstick in Funny Face is a universally flattering punchy pink lip color. Because why not?
2015 Getty Images13/35Hello, highlight!
Keep that sun-kissed summer glow going into first semester with an easy-to-apply bronzing, highlighter stick, like Nars the Multiple.
Alessandro Zeno/IMAXTREE.COM14/35Shine off.
Always stash a packet of Clean & Clear oil-absorbing blotting paper in your bag or locker to keep that oily shine to a minimum. Although, a little dewiness never hurts.
15/35Don’t leave out your lower lashes.
Instead of fumbling with your regular mascara wand to coat your lower lashes, try a product that’s specially created for those delicate and sometimes sparse hairs, like Clinique’s aptly named Bottom Lash Mascara.
16/35Play up your pout.
Change up the classic red lip to a poppy red lip, with Kendall Jenner x Estee Lauder’s limited edition shade. Kisses — A (http://www.teenvogue.com/tag/pretty-little%20liars).
GC Images17/35Feel feline.
A thick cat eye drawn on with a Sharpie-like liner, like the NYX Cosmetics Super Fat Eye Marker, and an animal onesie always make for a photo-op moment. (Extra points for mouse ear-esque mini-buns.)
Alessandro Zeno/IMAXTREE.COM18/35Have a bright idea.
Keep a highlighting under-eye concealer, like Smashbox Photo Op Undereye Brightener in your bag to re-energize your complexion, especially during that mid-day lull.
19/35Be a smoke show.
Edit your makeup bag — and make your smoky eye application way more straightforward — with a pre-packed, three-step system, like the Ardency Inn Punker Smoky Eye Kit.
20/35Gloss over things.
Pucker up with cotton candy pink glossy lips, courtesy of Rimmel Stay Glossy Lip Gloss.
Antonello Trio/IMAXTREE.COM21/35Strike a balance.
If you’re doing dramatic winged eyeliner, opt for a matte pink lip and dewy, peachy cream blush on your cheeks.
22/35Be a rockstar.
Rock a smudgy, edgy smoky look by drawing layers around your eyes with an ancient Middle Eastern-inspired kajal pencil like the Yves Saint Laurent Couture Kajal 3-in-1. But keep your lips light and neutral — you’re headed to French club, not the club.
Armando Grillo/IMAXtree.com23/35Hone in on the holograph.
Double up on your shine with a pearly lip and eye gloss combo. (And lighten up your makeup bag with Ramy’s all-in-one, eye, lip and cheek gloss compact.)
Antonello Trio/IMAXTREE.COM24/35Go 50 shades of grey.
For a brighter, less broody and daytime-ready smoky eye, try using lighter grey tones. Make it easy with an edited palette, like Cargo Essential Eye Shadow Palette.
25/35Savor spa night.
Face masks are always a fun and productive after-school activity. Either hit the fridge and go DIY, or try a pre-packaged one like The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil mask for acne-prone skin.
Alessandro Zeno/IMAXTREE.COM26/35Color outside the lines.
For a daring, rocker-cool defined eye, use a long-wear pencil, like Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner, and draw along your waterline. Then, smudge out as needed.
27/35Start a rainbow connection.
Why stick with one or two shadows, when you can use all the colors? Play around with NYX’s Avant Pop! Shadow Palettes for kicks.
Antonello Trio/IMAXTREE.COM28/35Get brownie points.
Draw a softer, less severe cat-eye close along your lashline with a brown gel eyeliner and brush. Try Bobbi Brown Chocolate Shimmer and her accurately-named Ultra Precise Eyeliner Brush.
29/35Have a close call.
Yes, there are more ways to define your eyes beyond a winged eyeliner flip. Try lining your lid as close as possible along the lashline with a precise tip, like Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner, and then brush on gobs of mascara.
Antonello Trio/IMAXTREE.COM30/35Be eye catching.
Take a moment to curl your lashes before applying mascara for the most eye-opening, lash-accentuating results.
Getty Images31/35Color your world.
Draw thick dashes at the top and bottom corners of your eyes with an electrifying turquoise blue pencil, like Ulta’s Automatic Eyeliner.
Andrea Adriani/IMAXtree.com32/35Stay in place.
If you’re taking the time and effort to put on a full-face, make sure all your hard work stays on with an effective setting spray, like the e.l.f. Makeup Mist and Set. Bonus: Use it as a refresher throughout your day or evening.
33/35Diffuse the situation.
For added definition, try brushing on a bold shadow under your eye. Purple hues tend to be the most universally flattering, like Makeup Forever’s Artist Shadow in Eggplant.
Antonello Trio/IMAXTREE.COM34/35Bite into berry.
Give your red lipstick a break, and experiment with a deep, rich wine stain that’s more witchy-glam and less the undead. For a longwear hue, try Obsessive Compulsive’s new easy-to-apply Lip Tar in Dahlia.
35/35Blend it.
Not sure sure how to start this whole contouring business? Try a step-by-step, all-in-one easy-blend palette, like Velvet 59 Contour is a Girl’s Best Friend.
