Why YOU should buy make-up meant for teenagers!
WHEN it comes to make-up, it’s tit for tat in our house. Thanks to my job as a beauty editor, my girls Molly and Beth have always known that my office is the place to raid for expensive pieces of make-up.
But what they don’t know is that — when I’m on the hunt for a new product — I’ll sneak a peek at their make-up stash.
Teenagers don’t usually take make-up too seriously. They see the cosmetics aisle as a huge playground and are keen to experiment. It’s an attitude we tend to forget when we’re older. But best of all — these products can be less than €5. A mascara doesn’t have to cost €25 to give a high-end result.
‘Often you are paying for the expensive packaging on pricey mascaras,’ says make-up artist Wendy Snowdon, who works with celebrities and on film sets. Wendy believes cheap products are great for encouraging women to step outside their make-up comfort zone.
‘There’s a big trend for bright colour this summer — and teen brands are an inexpensive way of having a go,’ she says.
Many brands also have websites with videos on how to use the products. So here’s my pick of the products worth adding to your make-up bag...
FLATTERING BLUSHER
SLEEK MAKEUP is an innovative brand with its finger on the pulse of make-up trends, which has helped to make it one of the fastestgrowing cosmetics companies.
Skip past the palettes of rosegold highlighter powders and instead try the Cream to Powder blush in French Rose (€7.99).
‘Stick with a cream blush,’ advises Wendy. ‘It’s easier to manage than powder for older, drier skin and gives a more flattering result.’
Or choose the colourful TwistUp eye pencils (€4) to try out this summer’s brighter-eyes trends (sleekmakeup.com).
STAY-PUT LIPSTICK
MOST beauty-obsessed teens have some Revolution products in their collections because they deliver impressive colour options at amazing prices.
For example, its Flawless Palettes offer 32 eye-shadow colours for €9.99, making them some of the best value available.
For a slightly more grown-up option, try their Revolution Pro line. Packaged in classy black cases, the felt-tip style Fine Gel Liquid Eyeliner is €4.99 and perfect for a winged eyeline.
Most of all, I’m taken with the Pro Supreme Matte Lip Pigment in a scorching red called Spiritual, also €4.99, which has a gel formula that stays in place (revolutionbeauty. com).
FLAWLESS SKIN
IT’S all about full-on make-up looks at NYX Cosmetics. Launched over here in Boots in 2014, this cult US brand took the teenage market by storm — they have more than 12 million followers on Instagram. The ‘illuminating powders’ are best left to youngsters, but the brand is strong on what I call ‘make-up support’. ‘The Hydra Touch Primer is €15,’ says Wendy, ‘and it’s as good as products twice its price.’
There’s a good Proof-It Waterproof Eye Shadow Primer, €6, too (nyxcosmetics.co.uk).
PRETTY BRUSHES
IN BLUE, pink or rainbowcoloured, the range of make-up brushes from Spectrum is surely one of the prettiest around. Their synthetic fibres also mean they are vegan friendly, a big draw for teens.
I love their So Oval You foundation brush (€9.49) for liquid foundation, and their super-soft Well Rounded brush (€10.49) for adding a light dusting of anti-shine powder. (spectrumcollections.com)
BRIGHTER EYES
W7 is a sassy brand with a full range of teen-magnet products, from metallic highlighters to lip glosses. But what appeals to the mid-life eye are the eye-shadow palettes, dead ringers for the expensive Urban Decay Naked range that cost €47.50 each. Fetchingly styled in rectangular tins, W7 offers 12 eye shadows for just €11.33 (w7cosmetics.co.uk)
MAGICAL MASCARA
ITALIAN brand Kiko is a favourite for make-up junkies of any age, though with bargain prices (lipsticks from €3.90 and eye shadows from €2.50) many of the clientele are young.
I love the soft, glide-on eye pencils — the black Everlasting Kajal is €5.50 — and the 30 Days Extension Mascara (€7.95), which promises that if you wear it every day its active ingredients will help your eyelashes grow longer over the course of a month (kikocosmetics.com).
CREATIVE NAILS
I CHALLENGE your heart not to leap as you stand at a Barry M counter, marvelling at the colours. It takes you back to being a teenager.
Steer clear of the face jewels and ‘glitter pots’ and try something sensible such as their All Night Long AntiRedness Primer, €7.95, which has a smoothing effect. And I adore the bright Nail Paint nail varnishes, though what works better for everyday wear are nudes such as Pink Lemonade or Lychee in the Gelly range (€3.40).
Its mascaras are great, too — the Showgirl Extra Lengthening Mascara (€5.70) wakes up tired eyes in an instant (barrym.com).