Back to School Week: First Day of School Makeup

My weekend was so fast! I rolled my ankle putting on my jeans (I'm the clumsiest). I didn't let it keep me down! I hung out with old friends and made lots of new ones. How was your weekend? Has school started back where you are? Most of the schools in Atlanta are either starting today or have already started. Yikes!

So welcome to my annual tradition of Back to School Week! All of the posts this week will be geared for the Back to School set, but will also be applicable for everyone, so no worries! If you have a request, let me know. First up, an eye look that is perfect for school as well as the office. It features a neutral eye with just a tiny bit of color. It's great for beginners or those that wear little makeup. And it's very budget-friendly. Enjoy.

T O O L S:

• Eyelid primer (ELF)
• Shadow palette (Cover Girl's Shimmering Sands or WNW's Walking on Eggshells)
• Mascara (XXL Pro)
• White liner pencil (NYX)
• Cover Girl BB cream, concealer of choice (review coming soon!)
• Powder (ELF HD)
• Blush (Dream Bouncy)
• Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain
• Polish (Sally Hansen's Shell Will Dance)

M E T H O D:

• I like to do my foundation, concealer and powder first, but that's a personal preference. I'd also suggest a skin primer for longer coverage, but the BB cream works well. For those interested, I'm posting a flawless foundation (aka how I hide the freckles & pores) routine in the next couple of weeks.
• Since I want my shadow to last the day, I'm using an eyelid primer--ELF makes a great one for $1. No primer? Try using your concealer, or if your skin is darker, the NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk works well. If the primer gets on your lashes, that's ok. It'll sort of work as a primer for them, too.
• I shared two palettes that are neutral, with a pop of color, but are very similar. If you want a more expensive version, use Balm's Nude Tude Palette. I started with the pink shade and placed that all over my lid.

• Next, brush the brown into the crease.

• Wet an eyeliner brush using a drop or two of water (or saline solution) and use the brown to softly outline your upper and lower lashes.
• To look more awake (you'll be tired on that first day) line the waterline carefully with the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk. See more ways to look awake here.

Jabbing a pencil in your eye will wake ya up!

• Finish the look with highlighting the inner corners and under the brows with the lightest shade. Using shimmery shadows will make eyes look bigger and brighter. Use matte to make eyes look smaller.

• Mascara is another area of personal preference, and I used one that lasts all day.

• Add blush and lip color. I used the balm stain because it lasts so long, isn't sticky like a gloss but is still shiny, and isn't messy to carry in your purse. I reviewed the Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains here. You could also use this as a blush.
• Paint nails a soft pink if you'd like--the one I used is an Essie dupe for Ballet Slippers. 

PS: Check out my Makeup for Picture Day here.