I distinctly remember the first eye-liner I bought. It was shell blue. I loved being “grown up” enough at 15 to wear it…even though I probably looked as if I was dressing up for Halloween! Of course, that was the 80s and shell blue was the ONLY color appropriate to go with neon orange. Applying make up was not my strength and was something I’d never done before. I needed a little help…but, I still wanted my own style and to “me.”
We need to teach our girls how to be individuals, and a big part of individuality is appearance. As teens, girls are influenced by so many factors: friends, celebrities, TV, and yes, even their mom. So, let’s help them out and give them guidance when we can (or when they will allow us to at that age). I was recently made privy to Jaclyn Peresetsky, owner of Skin Perfect Clinic at Polaris, and she does make-up lessons for teens. With all the dances and proms coming up in the spring, I think this would be a perfect birthday or holiday gift to give.
I interviewed a teen who did the lessons with Jaclyn and also Jaclyn herself. See what they had to say…
Meet Erin. Lovely girl who wanted to enhance her beauty for her homecoming dance, and also wanted to look natural and appropriate for her age.
Why did you need makeup lessons?
Initially, I wanted my makeup done for the Homecoming Dance, but I also wanted to learn how to properly apply color and what works best for me!
Do you like the way you look in makeup?
Yes! I look pretty and I don’t feel self-conscious because it covers my imperfections.
What are some of the tips that you learned?
I learned that I don’t have to use that much to look good! I can still look natural in makeup.
Why didn’t you ask your mom for help? The way makeup does on mom may be different than me. I want to look age appropriate with less make up!
Meet Jaclyn who is the owner of Skin Perfect Clinic at Polaris. Check out Jaclyn giving advice to teens on applying make-up here.
Why give make up lessons for teens?
Teens just love makeup whether we like it or not. They study the magazines, movies, and a lot of teen idols; so they are very curious. The best thing you can do with a teen is be a step a head of them and allow them to have a proper makeup lesson. In a lesson, proper makeup application is taught, color selection, and how much makeup is the right amount. Also, how to disinfect brushes, keeping lids on products, and proper removal of makeup and basic skincare methods are also introduced.
Do you think make up gives teen girls self confidence? Why?
Makeup is a method in which the teen can explore self expression which can raise self confidence. If they have acne, they can cover it up which makes them less self conscious. If there is a favorite feature they may have and one they feel more insecure about, they can play up their more favored features which lend itself in more self confidence. There is a certain power the teen feels when having some control over the way they present themselves to the world and makeup along with hair and fashion styling helps them with this.
What does a lesson entail?
A makeup lesson entails teaching proper skin care habits, choose type, color, and application of makeup, using proper makeup tools including brushes, sponges, q-tips, etc., and of course makeup technique. A lesson also shows the teen how to achieve a day look and then an evening look or a look more for special events. During the lesson, I usually do one half of the face, then encourage the teen to try doing the other half of the face.
Do teens end up doing a good job applying on their own?
It truly depends on the teen and the teen’s eye-hand coordination. Some teens also have been experimenting on their own; so they are usually easier to teach. The teens that makeup is very new too should come in more than once, practicing their application techniques in between appointments.
Do they learn what types of make up to buy and why?
Yes, we do educate about all types of makeup and what type of makeup they should look for in regards to the better formula and color for their skin. We also explain what are the more important products to make the bigger investment, the other products that you should spend less on, and finally the products that you need to discard after 3 months.
Do they get make up when they leave to take home?
If their parent decides to purchase the makeup we recommend then yes.
Is this for a natural every day look or evening look or both?
A makeup lesson should always include both looks.
