Makeup is always a tricky thing to get right when you are just starting out. We talked to pro artist Simone Otis – who has worked on everyone from top models Daria and Coco, to starlets like Selena Gomez - to get her take on the best products for teens. Here is Part 1 of our interview…
Q. When it comes to teen skin, what are the best products to use? Are there also ones to avoid?
A. When it comes to skin, it doesn’t matter if you are 15 or 90. If you have skin that doesn’t tend to break out, and is not too dry, you can use almost anything. However, if you have blemishes and/or dry skin, it’s best to look for products that are labeled non-comedogenic because they won’t clog pores. Hypoallergenic products are supposed to cause less allergic reactions, but if your teen has very sensitive skin she will have to carefully experiment by testing on small areas. Fortunately, these days, most companies develop their products with skin compatibility in mind.
Q. For parents who prefer their teens to ease into a makeup regime, can you suggest a "starter kit" of sorts?
A.First is a tinted moisturizer, or a good quality foundation. If you can get away with no base that is great! In which case, just use a sunscreen.
QUO Mineral Sheer Tint with SPF 20, $21 at Shoppers Drug Mart
#2. A good concealer, preferably 2 shades. That way you can best match your skin tone with one, and have a slightly darker shade to mix and get the exact colour to cover up any unwanted spots.
Try Flawless Skin Concealer. This cream-to-powder product is enriched with African baobab oil to moisturize and care for skin. The non-comodogenic formula has been dermatologically tested and features zinc oxide to help combat impurities.
$16.50 at The Body Shop
#3. A cream blush in a very natural shade like pale peach.
#4. A face powder.
#5. One shade of eye shadow in a very wearable shade - something that is close to the skin colour or neutral.
Benefit’s Big Beautiful Eyes is a complete eye contouring and concealing kit for all eye colors.
$38 at Shoppers Drug Mart
#6. A black or brown mascara.
Maybelline’s Great Lash Mascara is the secret weapon of many a makeup artist. 
$7.99 at Shoppers Drug Mart
#7. One or two eye pencils in dark brown or dark grey.
M.A.C’s Eye Pencils are formulated to provide rich, consistent colour using ingredients that have virtually no irritancy potential. They are comfortable to apply and sharpen to a fine point to allow for a precise application. Pick up Ebony and Coffee shades for $15 each at The Bay.
#8. A lip gloss and/or a lip tint in a soft shade.
All the models and celebs I’ve worked with like a soft pink gloss with very fine shimmer, which provides an amplified natural look. I’ll use either Clinique’s Full Potential gloss in a shade like Luscious Lilac, or Chanel’s Brilliance gloss. Another favourite is Inimitable mascara by Chanel… although it’s quite pricey, it works really well.
Q. Parents also want to keep budgets in check, so are there colours (lips, eyes, cheeks) that look good on all skin types?
A. Generally it is safe to go with shades that are close to your skin colour. All you really need is a little colour and definition because you should stand out, not your make up.
Makeup is always a tricky thing to get right when you are just starting out. We talked to pro artist Simone Otis – who has worked on everyone from top models Daria and Coco, to starlets like Selena Gomez - to get her take on teen trends and a few savvy application tips. Here is Part 2 of our interview …
Q. Finding the right foundation is tough for young women who are just figuring out makeup. Can you tell us about your application tips or tricks?
A. Foundation is really something that should only be used if you need a lot of coverage. What you want to achieve with a foundation is a perfect complexion, so if you are lucky enough to have that, forgo the foundation. If you need a little help, choose a tinted moisturizer or a foundation for more coverage. Either way, everyone should use a good sunscreen. And no matter which product you choose to use, it’s best to start out with the least amount and add more to those areas that need more coverage.
Try one of the various shades available in Vasanti’s Liquid Cover Up - Foundation and Concealer in One.
$23 at Shoppers Drug Mart
Q. Teens are all about eye shadow and they seem to be the most experimental with colours. What's the hottest trend right now? Can you give us a step-by-step application?
A. I think a really pretty trend in eye shadow is the violet eyes look. Violet is a colour that can easily be worn by a lot of skin tones, and you can add a couple of other colours, like black for example, for a little more drama.
First, decide whether a dark or light shade of violet is best for your skin colour. Start with your chosed shade and apply it over the entire lid up to the crease. Smudge the same violet shade along the bottom lash line. Use a soft gold eye shadow on the inner corners of the eyes and on the brow bone. Then use an eye pencil in dark brown or black along the lash line, making sure to draw the line as close to and in between the lashes as possible. Then add a coat of black/ brown or black mascara.
Try combining The Body Shop’s Eye Shimmer in Violet (left, $12) with Casablanca from Vasanti ($15 at Shoppers Drug Mart).
Q. Essential brushes for the teen starter kit?
A. A concealer brush
A powder brush
A small fluffy eyeshadow brush
A small stiff eyeliner brush
A blush brush
A lip brush
Six brushes may seem like a lot, but that would be the minimum amount needed to do a complete face.
Q. Ok, time to spill, what's it like working with these Hollywood starlets?
A. It’s an interesting job for sure! Generally it’s a fun job because you get to work on great faces, and do looks that are high fashion and really edgy and on-trend. One thing that can be difficult is the fact that usually I have to give the star a look that is for the “camera”, and not for “everyday”… so it tends to be a lot heavier than I would suggest for the average girl. Some girls might try to do that look at home and it just ends up just looking like too much make up.