4 Ways to Look Beautiful at School - wikiHow (2024)

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Co-authored bySheila A. Anderson

Last Updated: February 8, 2024Approved

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   Keep it simple. If you choose to wear makeup at school, you'll want to stick to a quick and natural look. Start with a freshly washed face and apply a light foundation or tinted moisturizer all over to even out your skin tone.^[1]

   • Don't choose heavy cakey foundations, since they'll wrinkle and crease throughout the day. Instead, stick with light coverage and a light dusting of powder.
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   Apply blush. Pick a light pink or peach color, whatever will show up best on your skin tone, and apply it to the apples of your cheeks.

   Tip: Look for a blush that matches the color of your cheeks after you've been exercising.^[2]

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   Focus on your eyes. Simply fill in your brows to accentuate your natural brow line. Then apply eye shadow in a neutral or natural shade. If you choose to wear eye liner, pick a dark brown, navy, or rose gold shade, depending on what works with your skin tone.^[3] Stark black liner may look too harsh for school. Finish your eye makeup with a swipe of mascara.

   • Avoid wearing dark or metallic eye shadows which are better suited for evening or weekend looks.^[4]
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   Wear a cute lip gloss or lipstick. If you want to keep it on the simpler more natural side, pick a peach or pink lip gloss that you'll be able to easily reapply throughout the day. You can also choose a richer lipstick, but don't choose something too dark. Save darker and metallic colors for parties or the weekend.

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   Wash your face. This is especially important if you have acne-prone skin. Start with a mild cleanser and gently rub it over your skin. Rinse with warm water and gently pat your face dry with a microfiber cloth.

   • Wash your face 2 to 3 times a day, especially if you have oily skin. Washing your face will remove extra oil and dead skin cells, helping your skin look rejuvenated.
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   See Also

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   Moisturize and don't forget sunscreen. Immediately after washing your face, you should apply a moisturizing lotion. Avoid moisturizers containing oil, if your skin is already oily. Lotion will help lock moisture into your skin, making it appear hydrated.

   • Always apply a sunscreen with an SPF of around 30.^[5] You can also find moisturizers that contain sunscreen. These will help prevent sun damage and wrinkling down the road.
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   Use a lip balm or moisturizer. Even if you're sporting an all natural look, you'll need to keep your lips hydrated. Consider using a lip balm or transparent gloss. While they don't necessarily have to contain pigment or color, they'll keep your lips looking soft and healthy.

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   Cover any blemishes. While you may not want to cover your entire face with foundation or makeup, you might have some pimples or blemishes that you'd like to cover. Use a foundation or concealer stick to gently dab at the pimples or blemishes. Then, use your finger to gently blend it into the surrounding area.^[6]

   • Avoid choosing a red-based concealer to cover red pimples or blemishes; it will be harder to conceal. Instead, look for a yellow or green-based foundation to counteract red problem areas.

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   Blot oil off of your face. Even if you start with a freshly washed face and apply minimal makeup, oil will accumulate on your face, making it shiny by the end of the day. To keep the shine to a minimum, pack some oil blotting papers in your backpack or locker. Take a minute and gently blot them over your face to remove excess oil.^[7]

   • Most oil blotting papers are designed to leave your makeup intact.
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   Apply a face mist or moisturizer. If you choose to go the no-makeup route, you might enjoy brightening your skin in the middle of the day. Simply spray a face mist to hydrate your skin or apply moisturizer to give it a little glow.

   • Some face mists are antibacterial which can help fight acne.^[8]
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   Consider using an all-over makeup stick. Several makeup sticks provide all-in-one coverage, so you can freshen up your eye makeup, lip color, and cheeks, all with one product.^[9]

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   Freshen up your lipstick or lip gloss. Lip gloss or lipstick is often one of the first things to wear off, so reapply it throughout the day. If you're short on time, keep a tiny mirror in your backpack and apply it while walking to your next class.

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   Avoid reapplying mascara. Think twice before adding another swipe of mascara. It will start looking caked on and dull. Instead, add a layer of clear mascara which will add a glossy shine to your existing mascara, without adding weight to your lashes.

   Tip: You can also add a tight line of eyeliner in any color to give a little boost to tired eyes.^[10]

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   Keep it messy. If you're running short on time in the morning, keep your bed head hair. Wet your fingers with water and run them through your hair, focusing on any frizzy spots.^[11] You can stop there, leaving your hair loose, or you can pull it up into a messy bun.

   • If your hair is shoulder length or shorter, keep it loose. The messy bun will only work if your hair is long enough to quickly pull back, without resorting to pinning it up.
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   Pull your hair into a top knot. This works with best if your hair has a lot of volume. Blow dry your hair to create extra volume, then comb it up onto the top of your head. Make a ponytail at the top of your head. Take the tail and wrap it around the elastic band that's securing the ponytail. Secure the knot with hair pins.^[12]

   Tip: You can also braid the ponytail before wrapping it into the knot, for a more finished look.^[13]

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   Braid your hair. You have lots of options when it comes to braiding your hair. Create one braid that falls straight down the back of your head, or one that angles across the side of your neck. If you have time or straight hair, create a sleek braid for a put-together look. Or keep the braid chunky and loose, with tendrils tugging out of the braid.^[14]

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   Pull your hair into a ponytail. If you're short on time, simply throw your hair up into a loose, messy ponytail. If you have more time, consider a sleek and styled ponytail. Wear it on the top of your head, low towards the nape of your neck, or off to the side.^[15]

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

• Apply concealer sparingly and just on blemishes, not all over. Then, set it by pressing on a little powder so it blends seamlessly into your natural skin.
• Focus on keeping your skin clean and moisturized rather than using heavy makeup. Let your natural beauty shine through while practicing good skincare.
• Choose neutral eyeshadows and lip glosses in soft pinks and peaches rather than bold colors. Dark liner and shadow can seem too heavy for school.
• Blot away facial oil throughout the day to prevent shine. Carry cleansing face wipes or oil blotting papers to quickly refresh dirty skin.
• Style your hair neatly and simply. An elegant ponytail or basic braid looks put-together without going overboard on hair products or time.
• Having self-confidence and a positive attitude does more for your appearance than any makeup or clothes. Focus on inner beauty first.

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