Look Cool for School: Smart and Simple Makeup Tips for College Girls

Suggested item: QuickFX’s Sun Screen

Where to buy: Watsons outlets and website

Price: PhP249

There’s a saying among beauty junkies that goes, “Skin care first, makeup second.” Skin care and makeup go hand in hand: if you treat your skin well, then your makeup will look better. So before applying makeup, make sure you complete your skin care routine first. Prepping your skin helps in giving you a natural glow and it will also lead to a base makeup that is easier to manage.

One of the most important aspects of skin care which is sometimes overlooked is sun protection. Do you know that UV rays age you faster? Prevent premature aging and sunspots by applying sunscreen before your moisturizer. QuickFX’s Sunscreen, the recommended item, is a triple treat: affordable, effective, and easy to carry. Not only does it protect your skin with SPF50, but it also contains niacinamide—an ingredient which helps in skin lightening.

Suggested item: Vice Cosmetics ’ line of powder foundation

Where to buy: Vice Cosmetics outlets and website and Watsons

Price: PhP245

Heavy makeup might look great in a girls’ night out or at parties, but when it comes to everyday school makeup, less is more. Don’t go for full coverage foundation; use something with a lighter formula for a natural-looking base makeup. Depending on your skin type, you can choose from either powder or liquid foundations. Powder foundations are better for oily skin, while liquid foundations work better with dry or mature skin. If you’re always on the go, consider getting a foundation stick.

When it comes to choosing a shade, pick one that is closest to your skin tone. Don’t test products on your wrist or hands since these do not have the same tone as your face. Instead, test different shades on your cheeks and blend them lightly with your finger. Morena girls won’t have a hard time looking for foundations, as cosmetic brands have various shade ranges that cater to various skin tones. For instance, Vice Cosmetics’ line of powder foundation caters to dark-skinned girls.

Suggested item: Maybelline’s Fit Me concealer

Where to buy: Maybelline kiosks and website, Watsons

Price: PhP249

Got eye bags from late-night study sessions? Hide them with a concealer! Pick a shade that is not one or two shades lighter than your skin tone. Apply a downward triangle below your eye to conceal dark circles and blend using a damp makeup sponge. Use a dabbing motion.

You can also use a concealer for practical reasons like covering acne; simply hide a spot or two with a concealer that matches your foundation. For an easy-to-carry and easy-to-use concealer that doesn’t skimp on quality, Maybelline’s Fit Me concealer is a skin perfector that provides natural coverage.

Looking for more makeup tips? Head on over to Yoorekka!

Suggested item: Etude House’s Drawing Eye Brow

Where to buy: Etude House branches

Price: PhP178

Thick eyebrows might be a trend that everyone loves to follow, but it can make you look too made up for school. There’s another way to score that #OnFleek brows: do natural-looking brows instead. Natural brows can make you look youthful and fresh thanks to their light and subtle touch.

Getting that perfect arch might need extreme precision, so an eyebrow pencil with an angled tip is what you will need. Etude House’s Drawing Eye Brow pencil features a small angled tip that can make it easier for you to shape your brows. Its small size is also useful if you want to recreate small strands of hair for your brows.

Suggested item: Skin Genie’s Lip and Cheek Stain Alive

Where to buy: Skin Genie website and stockists, BeautyMNL

Price: PhP99

An all-nighter can drain the life out of anyone, but a hint of color on your cheeks can make you look alive. Apply a drop of tint on the apples of your cheeks and blend with your fingers until you reach the amount of pigment you want. Blushes come in multiple shades that can flatter any skin tone. For example, Skin Genie’s Lip and Cheek Stain Alive features 14 shades of lip and cheek tint. You can go for a classic red or a glowy orange hue, depending on the look you want to achieve.

Suggested item: blk cosmetics velvet lip creams

Where to buy: blk cosmetics kiosks and website, Watsons

Price: PhP299

Just like a blush, lipstick also helps in adding color to your face. Skip the deep purple and reds since these colors are not school appropriate. Stick to nudes, sweet pinks, and light browns since they are the nearest colors to our skin tones. You’ll get better chances of finding a shade that matches your skin tone when you explore local cosmetics brands, like blk cosmetics.

Depending on your preference, you can choose from either classic bullet or liquid lipsticks. Extra tip: if you have dry lips, apply a generous amount of lip balm first then pat the excess on a tissue, then proceed to apply your lippie.

College is a time where most youths explore new things. Experimenting with makeup might be intimidating, but always remember that beauty doesn’t have to be complicated.