There are some basics that all teens should follow to help keep skin "normal".

1. You should use a cleanser, rather than soap to wash your face. Soap can overdry the surface of your skin and cause it to feel oily in just a few hours.
2. Wash your face morning and night (at least) and follow with toner (that doesn't contain alcohol). You should wash at night to remove the dirt and pollution (and make-up if you wear it) from your skin. During the night, your skin remains active, even while you rest, and you should wash again in the morning to start with a clear face.
3. Use a moisturizer every day (even if you have oily skin--just use one that is oil-free). This helps protect your skin from the elements (dirt and pollution in the air).
4. If you have blemishes and use a blemish cream or lotion, spot treat just the blemish itself (not the surrounding area). Use a Q-tip and spot treat at night. This dries the blemish, not the skin around it. If you overtreat blemishes they tend to look worse than if you do nothing. Don't pick at blemishes and do try to keep your hands off your face.
5. Regular use of a masque that is appropriate for your skin type (a drying masque for oily skin and a moisturizing masque for dry skin) further helps to balance your skin and keep it "normal". It also helps "tighten" pores. To make this easier, apply the masque and let it dry 5-10 minutes before you shower (the masque is easier to remove in the shower).
6. Regular use of a scrub (gently please, you don't want to irritate your skin) helps deep clean your skin and makes your complexion look brighter and clearer. If your skin is breaking out, be very careful using a scrub, because the grains can irritate the blemishes and make them worse. The scrub contains grains that do the work. Gently apply the scrub to your damp skin and gently rinse off. (You don't have to "rub".) The scrub also helps fight blackheads and tighten pores. To make a scrub easier to use, we recommend using it in the shower. (If you are seeing a dermatologist or using Retin A, please discuss the use of a scrub with your doctor BEFORE using one.)

Twice a week use of the Honey/Almond Scrub and the Balancing Masque provides further refining and oil control as well as improving the tone, texture and overall complexion of your skin. We recommend using them on alternate days (for example, Monday and Thursday for the Scrub and Tuesday and Friday for the Masque).

The Balancing Products work together to control oiliness and help fight breakouts as well as balancing your skin and keeping it clear, clean and evenly textured and toned.

There are a variety of "types" of looks that you can achieve with make-up. A natural look (just like you, only better); a soft, romantic look (light, soft make-up that enhances but doesn't overwhelm); a classic look (a bit heavier, but still "natural" looking); or an upscale look (dramatic or "fun" but more trendy). Any or all of the looks may be appropriate, depending on the occasion. You may need a natural or romantic look for daytime and an upscale look for parties. You can achieve all these looks, using basically the same make-up (with a few changes) and remembering to use a light hand for a lighter look and a heavier hand with your application for a more dramatic look.

Investing in a good set of brushes and using a cosmetic sponge and a make-up mirror (set to daylight) will help improve the look of your make-up. With a bit of practice you should be able to do full make-up in about 5-10 minutes. See our on-line Make-up Lesson for step-by-step instructions.

To select the Base Shadow, pick a color that is fairly close to your skin tone. We recommend Toast, Bare Bisque, Nude Pink and Nude if you have fair to medium skin tones. Nude, Cedar and Putty work for medium to dark skin tones.

The Contour Color is the color that creates the "look". You have a variety of options here. Select a color that matches your eyes for a natural, romantic or classic look. For an upscale look, select a "seasonal" color (see the Seasonal Make-up Update for this season's hottest colors). Natural, romantic and classic looks can also select these colors, but should select from the lighter end of the range and be sure and blend well.

The Hilite Color adds shine and gloss and works well for a romantic and upscale look. Natural and Classic looks should skip the shine except for special occasions. We recommend colors that are light, bright and highly frosted for this step. Gold Frost and Baroque Bronze work wonderfully if you have gold flecks in your eyes and Crystal Taupe is for white flecks in your eyes. Other colors that work well include: Golden Smoke, Grey Cloud, Heather Plum, Shimmering Mauve, Misty Orchid and any other color that has brightness and shine.

The Accent Color is a second step that works well for an upscale, classic or natural look. This provides an accent for your eyes. You can reuse the Contour Color or select a complementary color. For example, if you use a Brown Contour Color (like Tornado or Cocoa Cream) you can use something similar to French Moss or Golden Khaki to accent warm eyes or Heather Plum or French Navy to accent cool eyes.

Your shadows should be well blended, always remember the idea is to accent your eyes, not show off your shadow. Using the right brushes, a light hand and blending well will give you great looking eyes.

Eyeliner is the next step. Select a color that coordinates with your eye color or shadow color for all the looks.

Foundation should match the average color of your skin. If you are using a color chart, be sure you are aware that when you blend out the foundation it will appear lighter (so select a color that appears to be one shade darker than your natural skin tone). Also be aware that foundations are either pink, yellow or neutral. If your skin is obviously pink, select a pink or cool toned foundation and if your skin is obviously yellow, select a yellow or warm tone. Many people aren't sure, in which case, you are probably "neutral" and should select a neutral color. Dot your foundation on and blend with the cosmetic sponge (it works best if it is slightly damp). Dust with matching translucent powder (we like loose powder best) to set your make-up, give you a nice, smooth finish and improve the wear of your make-up. Pressed powder is also good for mid-day touch-ups.

Blush should be applied directly onto the cheekbone and should enhance your face. The idea is to "give you a glow," again, not noticeable color, but effect. The best color of blush for you is the color your cheeks are when you are flushed or have exercised. For a dramatic look or to accent your cheeks for special occasions, select a blush that is a shade or two darker (but in the same color family) and apply it in the hollow of the cheek. Be sure and blend your blush with the contour brush (this erases the edges so your blush looks natural).

Mascara is where a lot of people mess up great eyes. Black mascara is NOT for everyone. If you are fair or want a natural, romantic or classic look, black mascara may be too heavy. Select Brown instead, or Dark Navy for a more 'interesting' look. If you have dark brown, black brown or black eyes or you want an upscale look Black mascara is great.

Lipsticks range in formulations and color. Generally creme lipsticks and frosts are more sheer in application. They tend to go on a bit lighter than they appear in the tube. Matte Lipsticks, Long Lasting Lipsticks and Long Wearing Lipsticks tend to appear the same in the tube as they do on your lips. If you have warm toned skin (yellow undertones) select warm colored lipsticks (peaches, corals, warm reds, oranges, brown reds, browns). If you have cool toned skin (pink undertones) select cool colored lipsticks (pinks, coral pinks, roses, raspberrys, plums, mauves, blue reds, mochas). All our lipsticks are marked warm, cool or both (which are appropriate for neutrals).