Makeup and beauty is a very sensitive topic for parents, teens and pre-teens. If you find yourself in front of a stack of magazines, you’ll see Hollywood teen actresses your daughters look up to wearing makeup younger and younger. Guest expert Dave Lackie, editor of BEAUTY the guide magazine, warns that parents should handle this topic carefully as it’s often connected to self-esteem and peer pressure. For parents looking for a bit of guidance in terms of how to teach their teens about appropriate skincare and makeup application, here are Dave’s five simple rules:

Rule 1: Start with good skincare.  During the teen years, hormones and puberty often lead to increased oil production, which can mean acne and breakouts. The first thing you should do is start your teen with a good daily skincare regime. This includes cleansing, moisturizing, wearing sunscreen daily, and never going to bed with makeup on.

Rule 2: Beauty books are great resources for teens as a way to learn how to properly apply makeup. Bobbi Brown has some of Dave’s favourites. You can also look into a number of celeb titles such as Jessica Alba’s The Honest Life: Living Naturally and True to You.

Rule 3: Invest in a makeup lesson. Most beauty counters offer one-on-one makeup lessons which are a great resources for teens. Some lessons can cost about $50 to $75 for an hour but that cost is redeemable in product. A bonus for parents is that you can go to the store in advance and explain that you want to start your teen slowly. This makes a great birthday present or graduation gift! For a more affordable option, YouTube also has great tutorials. Michelle Phan is particularly good for older teens.

Rule 4: Think natural. A tinted moisturizer and a little concealer are often perfect for teen skin. When skin is young, it doesn’t need much foundation.

Rule 5: Keep it simple. A tinted moisturizer or powder foundation, polished brows, and a lip gloss in a subtle hue are great for every day. Pink, coral and nude beige are great gloss shades to start with.

The Basics:

1. Good cleanser and moisturizer

2. Concealer for blemish or two

3. Eyeliner pencil in black or brown

4. Lip gloss

5. A favourite fragrance