Beautiful You!

College is one of the best and most challenging times in a woman's life for better or worse, you are discovering your strengths, weaknesses and quirks. Here are a few beauty pointers to keep in mind while you're developing your sense of style:

Real beauty comes from the inside out:
I'm sure you've learned by now that the skin is the largest organ on your body and as such, it needs a lot of attention. Pizza, sugar cereal, late nights, drinking (not that anyone in college drinks, right?) all do a number on your skin. Getting enough water, sleep, nutritious food (plus an occasional break from sugar) and exercise will not only help your overall health, it will give your skin the opportunity it needs to be its healthiest, too.

Be clean, but not too clean:
You need to wash your face and moisturize it every night before you go to bed and when you wake up. I don't care how oily you think your skin is - you still have to do it. If you have oily skin, go with a milder cleanser and an oil-free moisturizer. Washing with a very strong cleanser and not using a moisturizer has the opposite effect than you intend: your skin produces more oils and creates more breakouts. If you're dry, then you might want to think about a milky cleanser and a more soothing moisturizer.

Experiment:
Now is your chance! Pink hair? Blue lips? Yellow nails? Whatever! This is your time to go wild because your biology teacher is not going to hire you for a job, but when you're looking for one, that's your time to be conservative. So feel free to go nuts now, but be aware that you do live in a judgmental world and a few odd looks can be character building. You can also discover more elegant and sophisticated styles, but keep it simple.

You don't really need makeup:
You are at the most prime in your life for beauty: your skin is elastic, its tone is great, your lips are full and delicious, your hair is voluminous and shiny, why are you going to cover it up? If you're having skin issues, try to address them through skincare, not foundation. Concealer, on the other hand, we all can use.

Remember, the cosmetics industry is an industry:
And an eight billion dollar one at that. People who work at makeup counters are experts, their duty is to sell products and women are particularly susceptible to buying makeup and thinking it will truly change their lives. It won't. A cosmetic splurge might cure a blue mood, but so does talking with a friend, taking a walk or reading a good book: $20 saved!

Kim Weinstein is a makeup artist and the author of Pretty City New York. Her goal is to demystify makeup shopping so you can save time and money and focus on your real life.

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