Ah, back to school – time for a new wardrobe, book bag, pencils, and pens. Why not also come back to school with a new makeup routine? Wondering what to tell those clients who are looking for a fresh makeup routine for the start of a new school year can be made easier by reading on.

Those long summer nights were bound to take a toll on clients’ skin, so make sure that, above all else, they are using a moisturizer every morning and evening to keep their skin hydrated and looking fresh. Using a moisturizer will also affect how well their foundation blends during initial application and wears throughout the day. After moisturizing, primer is also key to a full day of wear. It will smooth out any texture issues and help to keep foundation from separating mid-day.

As for foundation, suggest a formula that is medium-to-full coverage and has a matte finish for longer wear and less transfer. Remind clients to switch out their beauty sponge for a buffer brush to get full coverage fast (they do not want to be late to class). A versatile brush that is synthetic will not soak up any cream or liquid products, but can still be used dry with powder products.

Instead of a heavy highlight and contour, recommend opting for a softer look using bronzer to softly chisel cheekbones, add additional structure and warmth to the face, and emphasize that summer tan. Clients can ditch the heavy blush and go for a light wash of color on the cheeks, then add a glowy highlight on the high points of the face and body using highlighters.

For eyebrows, clients should use a pencil or soft eyebrow powder to enhance texture and give a full, even eyebrow illusion. Those with full eyebrows already can fill them in with an eyebrow gel in a lighter color for that just-back-from-the-beach look. Remind clients to clean up any excess hairs and start the school year with a fresh eyebrow shaping, which will also help make room for a stunning eyebrow bone highlight.

This fall, recommend keeping eye makeup easy, with an emphasis on the eyelid and eyelashes. A warm color can be used in the crease and a light shimmer on the eyelid in order to add some depth to the eye, while still keeping that simple summer vibe. Warm oranges, browns, golds, and champagne tones keep clients looking like a bronzed babe.

Waterproof mascara is ideal for lifting eyelashes and staying sweat-proof through physical education. If clients like false eyelashes, they can try using a subtle eyelash to get people wondering whether or not they are actually theirs. For a more dramatic effect, they can try double-stacking eyelashes in a similar style for a fierce, daytime look.

A lot of clients get stuck in the black eyeliner rut, so suggest ditching the dark eyeliner and opting for a light nude or white shade for inside the lower water line. This creates that “I-look-more- awake-than-I-actually-am” effect. Early mornings and long nights working on those essays and school projects are no problem with this simple, but effective beauty hack.

There is no doubt that after a long summer in the sun, lips are bound to need a little extra TLC, too. To make sure clients’ lips are as smooth and soft as they can be, add a lip scrub to their skin care routine. Recommend scrubs that not only work and smell delicious, but are also safe enough to eat.

After clients exfoliate their lips and hydrate with a favorite balm, it is time to paint them. Someone who wants that creamy, hydrated finish should go for a cream lipstick and a neutral gloss on top. The lipstick will add color, while the gloss adds longer wear, shine, and dimension. If a client is looking for something that is a little less maintenance, they can try using a liquid lipstick that dries down to a matte finish and is long-wearing. For additional staying power, they can top it off with a dusting of translucent powder. 

Just like how the seasons change, so do makeup trends. A fresh look and a healthy glow can help anyone confidently enter the new school year – and confidence is always in style. 

Nicole Faulkner, known as ‘Lipsticknick,’ is a hotter-than-hot makeup artist and influencer. This SoCal babe is known across the beauty and entertainment worlds for her unapologetically original approach to makeup. She’s been working her magic with social media stars like Manny MUA, Laura Lee, James Charles, Bretman Rock, Jeffree Star, and Jaclyn Hill, in addition to slaying campaign makeup as Morphe’s go-to artist. Most recently, she joined the Morphe family full-time as the director of global artistry. Headshot photo credit: Jon Sams.