How to Apply Natural Makeup for School

Co-authored by Alicia D'Angelo and Megaera Lorenz, PhD

Last Updated: August 28, 2021 References

You probably want to go to school looking your best each day, but some schools have strict rules about wearing makeup. Fortunately, it’s possible to achieve a flawless face while maintaining a natural look that doesn’t appear too “made-up.” Check out our tips below for doing an easy, all-natural makeup look that will even out your complexion and make your features pop without looking like you're wearing makeup.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Applying Natural-Looking Face Makeup

1
Apply a lightweight foundation. To even out your skin and cover mild discolorations, take a little liquid foundation and blend it in with your fingertips or a makeup sponge.^{[1]
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Research source} For the most natural look, use a sheer, buildable foundation and apply it in thin layers until you get the coverage you want.^{[2]
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- Make sure to use a foundation that matches your skin tone.^{[3]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Alicia D'Angelo
  Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist
  Expert Interview. 10 April 2020.} You can check the tone by applying a little to your jawline.
- Additionally, pick a foundation that works with your skin type. For example, if you have oily or breakout-prone skin, go for a foundation that’s oil-free and non-comedogenic (won’t clog your pores).^{[4]
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  Alicia D'Angelo
  Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist
  Expert Interview. 10 April 2020.}
2
Use a little concealer to cover up blemishes and discolorations. If you have any spots or blotches that the foundation doesn’t cover, apply a little concealer and blend it in. You can also swipe some concealer under your eyes to cover up dark circles.^{[5]
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- When blending in concealer under your eyes, gently dab it with your fingers instead of rubbing. Rubbing can irritate your delicate under-eye skin.
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3
Brush on some powder if your skin gets oily. If you have oily skin, applying a little translucent powder can help keep it under control and reduce shine throughout the day.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Alicia D'Angelo
Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist
Expert Interview. 10 April 2020.} Load some powder into a makeup brush, tap it to remove the excess, and sweep it all over your face.^{[7]
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- Focus on the T-zone (the middle of your forehead, your nose, and your chin), since this area tends to get especially oily throughout the day.
Tip: If you have super oily skin, you may wish to skip the liquid foundation or tinted moisturizer and just use a powder foundation instead.^{[8]
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Research source} Experiment to see what combination works best for you!
4
Add color to your cheeks with a warm, subtle blush. To bring a soft glow to your cheeks, apply a little blush along your cheekbones. Choose a warm pink or peach rather than a cool pink for a more natural look.^{[9]
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- Cream blushes will give your cheeks a more dewy, natural appearance than powder blushes.^{[10]
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- To apply a cream blush, use your fingers to gently dab a little color onto the fullest parts of your cheeks, blending it in until it looks like you're blushing naturally.
- If you prefer powder blushes, use a brush to gently swirl the color onto the fullest parts of your cheeks.
5
Put on a subtle highlighter to help define your face. You can also use a highlighter to define areas like the tops of your cheekbones, your forehead, and your nose. Use a brush to gently sweep the highlighter over the areas you’d like to bring out. You can also lightly tap it on with your fingertips.^{[11]
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- Avoid using highlighters that are too glittery or shimmery. While these can give you a gorgeous, fairytale glow, it’s not the most natural look!

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Bringing out Your Eyes and Lips

1
Brush your eyebrows, then fill them in with powder. To get tidy-looking eyebrows that don’t look overdone, lightly groom them with an eyebrow brush. If you like, you can then fill them in very lightly with an eyebrow powder that matches your natural brow color.^{[12]
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Alicia D'Angelo
Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist
Expert Interview. 10 April 2020.}^{[13]
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- Avoid using an eyebrow pencil, since this can make your eyebrows look too obviously defined and made-up.
2
Dust your lids with a neutral brown eyeshadow. To bring out your eyelids, choose a brownish eyeshadow that’s only 1-2 shades darker than your natural skin color. Brush the shadow over your eyelids and along the crease below your brow bone. Blend it in carefully to create a smooth transition between the shadow and your natural skin tone.^{[14]
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- If you like, you can also add a little subtle highlighter or eye brightener to the inner corners of your eyes and your brow bones.
3
Add a thin line of black eyeshadow to your upper lash line. To subtly darken the base of your lashes, use a fine, angled brush to apply a little bit of black eyeshadow just along your upper lash line.^{[15]
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Research source} For an even subtler look, skip the shadow. Take a dark brown or grey eyeliner pencil and lightly dot it along your upper lash line instead.^{[16]
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- Don’t go beyond the edges of your lash line, and keep the line thin—otherwise, you will end up with a more dramatic, less natural look.
- You can also subtly widen your eyes by adding a little nude liner to your lower waterline.
4
Define your lashes with a curler and a hint of mascara. Use a curler to widen your eyes and give your lashes a more dramatic look. Then, sweep some mascara onto your upper lashes to darken and define them. Go for light, non-clumping formula for a more natural appearance.^{[17]
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- Don’t put any mascara on your lower lash line, since this will make your eyes look more obviously made-up.
- Choose a mascara that is not dramatically darker than your natural lashes. For example, if your lashes are blond, go with a brown mascara. For darker lashes, opt for brownish-black.^{[18]
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- If you don’t have an eyelash curler, you can curl your lashes with a spoon, a cotton swab, or your fingers.
5
Brighten your lips with a tinted balm or a sheer, nude lipstick. To add a finishing touch to your look, swipe on a little tinted balm in a color that matches your natural lips. Make it look more natural by dabbing it on with your fingers instead of applying from the tube. Start at the center of your lips and blend out to the edges.^{[19]
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Research source} For a slightly bolder look, use a nude lipstick instead.^{[20]
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- You can also use a colorless balm to give your lips a natural softness and shine without adding any tint.
Tip: When choosing a nude lipstick, pick a shade that matches the outer edges of your lips. While it can be a little darker than your natural lip color, it should be a similar hue (e.g., choose a pinkish nude if your lips are pink).

Community Q&A

Question

Can I skip adding contour?

Community Answer

Skipping contour is perfectly fine! Contour is only used to change/define your face shape and nothing more. If you feel confident in your own skin then there shouldn't be a problem!
Question

What do I apply powder with?

Community Answer

You can apply powder with a beauty blender, a makeup brush, or if all else fails, your fingers will do.
Question

Should I wash my face before applying makeup?

Community Answer

You don't have to, but it is much healthier for your face, as it can prevent acne and clogged pores.