So, many of us have graduated and are joining the ranks of the “real world.” With that, a sudden dose of “professionalism” and “maturity” has suddenly been prescribed by parents, mentors, and most importantly your hopefully-boss-to-be. I myself am facing some early mornings come July, since I’ll be attending school first as student, then as teacher. Blech.

For the past year or so, I’ve been getting by with the philosophy that I’m young and reasonably attractive, so I don’t need to wear any makeup. That philosophy still holds true for various activities such as sitting around the house, watching movies, reading, exercising (such as it is), etc. However, my faith would be shaken whenever I would grab a bite to eat with a more glamorous friend. Some days at my old job (I’m currently unemployed as you may recall…WEEEEE) I would arrive at a school and our contact person would look all nice and coordinated, while I was a scrubby bed-bug version of myself. (Uniforms will really spoil a person.)

The coup de grace? Performing at middle schools and high schools. Those girls are like weird, perfect little Hannah Montanas/Seventeen magazine models. Totally put-together, fashionable and chic. And I understand: at that age I was pretty painfully obsessed with how my hair/makeup/clothes looked at all times. What’s really startling and funny is how I was never convinced that I looked good enough, just as I’m sure these girls feel daily when they all look like they just walked off the page of a glossy magazine.

And now, everyday I will be standing before them, trying to convince them that I’m cool and hip and dangerous and that they should listen to what I say because I am an expert. And let’s face it, high schoolers are HIGHLY JUDGMENTAL CREATURES. So how do I find the balance between my wanting to sleep longer/not wanting to wear tons of makeup and coming across as someone who gives a care and knows where these people are coming from?

Enter Carmindy’s 5-Minute Face!! I love Carmindy from TLC’s What Not to Wear. (Makeover shows are my ultimate guilty pleasure.) Although I don’t always agree with some of her more elaborate/eccentric makeup choices, the people she makes over are always satisfied, and 8-9 times out of ten I like what she does. Watch this video to see exactly how to implement the five-minute face look.

Now, this spring I went to the outlets and bought myself some really nice makeup (foundation, powder, and cream blush by Clinique), but there were one or two items that Carmindy used that I did not have, most byBenefit cosmetics. But Benefit cosmetics are a designer brand, and although they are easy enough to get in my area, they’re a bit pricey. So here I have for you a few less-expensive alternatives that can be found at ye olde Target!

1. Neutrogena Soothing Eye Tints in Petal Shimmer.
 I use this sweet pearlescent eye cream in place of the High Beam highlighter that Carmindy uses in the video. It really captures the light nicely and brightens up the eyes, and it only cost me $7.74, whereas High Beam from Benefit starts at $24 online (so who knows how much department stores might mark it up)!

2. Wet n Wild Idol Eyes in Dark Brown
Come to think of it, I think I actually got this one at Rite Aid, not Target, but all the same it’s a nice retractable eye pencil – that means no sharpener required! – that’s effective and inexpensive. (Usually WnW products are between $5-10.) There is a smudger attached, but I recommend using a Q-tip. I’ve tried both methods and the ol’ cotton swab was the better of the two for me.

3. Cover Girl’s LashBlast Mascara in Black.
The thing I like best about this mascara is the brush: the little bristles are made out of silicone, so there’s much less clumping going on. The mascara also has a separate cap, which I think you are supposed to throw away, but I chose a more resourceful clump-avoidance scheme! Once I use the mascara, I put the little cap back on and use a wad of T.P. (like three or four squares folded up) to wipe the brush off. Then I store it in a Ziploc bag so it stays nice and clean. This way, the brush isn’t stored immersed in mascara, building up residue that clumps over time. Also, when I’m applying, I give the brush a little wiggle from side to side before pulling through, which separates the lashes and avoids clumping even more. Not to say I never see a clump, but it definitely helps avoid the 80’s stepmom look. Anywho, this stuff is pretty neat, and costs a mere $6.99 at Target, as opposed to Benefit’s $19 models.

4. Neutrogena MoistureShine Lip Soother in Shimmer 
I like this stuff for several reasons. It smells really nice (as anything positioned directly beneath your nostrils should), it’s not super sticky or goopy, and it looks great for the long-haul. Now I have long had a love-hate relationship with lip gloss. Love the way it looks. Hate the way it feels tacky after five minutes, and when I had long hair the strands were constantly getting caught in the goop. Now, I can’t testify from a long-haired perspective on this stuff, but it’s definitely one of the less sticky glosses I’ve used. Also, as long as you’re not eating or drinking (this includes excessive biting/licking of the lips, weirdos), this stuff looks the way you did when you put it on for like 30-45 minutes afterwards. Pretty kick-butt. I like the color Shimmer because it’s light and just a little bit tinted so it gives a nice natural look. It cost me $6.24, in comparison with my Clinique lip color (that I also adore) which cost me $12.25 at outlet store prices. (And that’s for 0.16 fluid ounces people!) Yeah. Wicked expensive.

So there are some fun things you can blow your tax rebate/economic stimulus/paycheck/tips/allowance on this weekend without breaking your bank account! Enjoy, look great, and most importantly feel great.