Who is this grumpy creature, rolling sooty, kohl-lined eyes at everything you say, and what has she done with your daughter? Suddenly she’s obsessed with make-up, skincare and, gulp, plucking her already perfectly lovely eyebrows. While they’re off school for midterm, here are five things to remember when it comes to your teenage daughter and make-up.
1 They know more about make-up than you ever did. Thanks, internet
While many of us gleaned our make-up tips from teen magazines, this generation uses
online beauty sites, forums and blogs such as Temptalia, Makeup Alley and Beaut.ie. These are the ones you should steer her towards for tips for beauty on a budget.
2 Your advice is no longer needed: other teenagers show your daughter how to do it
The culture of the “real girl” showing the viewer how to copy a look has become a huge phenomenon. The most popular make-up artists on YouTube are girls just like yours, talking about cosmetics, clothes and hair. Peer-to-peer tutoring at its best.
3 Even though they speak the alien language of “contouring, cutting the crease, and HD Brows”, they don’t actually need a lot of stuff
Teenagers are full of make-up artist jargon, but practising most of these techniques requires only a few items. Don't be fooled into thinking they have to be expensive ones either. Wet 'n' Wild neutral palettes can be substituted for Urban Decay; Sleek can supply bright eye colours and lip shades for minimal outlay and Catrice or Essence will provide every on-trend essential. Stay firm. No 14-year-old needs a Laura Mercier primer, no matter how much she flings herself around and wails.
4 Choosing the right foundation is a lot easier these days but can still be tricky
Just because there is plenty of choice now doesn't mean that they will make good ones, particularly when it comes to getting the base right. Luckily, foundation matching is no longer the preserve of the luxe brands; try the Boots No7 service. Brands such as Maybelline and Rimmel produce excellent foundation and mascaras; there is no need for her to lust after Lancôme Hypnose.
5 Teenagers might not want to admit it, but you can still help
Most-wanted items make perfect birthday or Christmas presents. Or you could book a make-up lesson for her. A good make-up artist will have better luck than you persuading a make-up-obsessed teen that less is more. Most of all, try to remember how much you enjoyed experimenting with make-up as a young one, even if the photographic evidence makes you cringe.The more teenagers change, the more they stay the same.
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PICKS OF THE WEEK
Urban Decay Naked 2 Basics, €29Clearly there can never be enough Naked palettes, and the latest version won’t disappoint. Six matt shades in a travel-sized case will see this palette on many wish lists.
Nourish Kale Enzymatic Exfoliating Cleanser, €19This product, which is kind of halfway between a mud mask and a chemical toner, works best as a quick post-cleanse mask, to dissolve dead skin cells.
Nars Eye Paint, €25I like this very much because it is available in a great range of shades, is highly pigmented, long-lasting and can be used as a liner or blended out as a shadow or highlighter.
Tom Ford Nail Lacquer Black Cherry, €32 A rich, plummy shade with high shine makes this perfect for the season that’s in it.
AISLING LOVES . . .
Jo Malone Advent Calendar£250, jomalone.co.uk
: An advent calendar with a difference. It is modelled on the brand’s townhouse headquarters and is stuffed with 24 Jo Malone fragrance and body treats. Start saving/dropping hints now.
