The day your 13-year-old comes home wearing blue glitter eye shadow she borrowed from a friend, you might be ready to impose an all-out makeup ban. But remember: You were her age once, and it's only makeup. If you teach your daughter the beauty basics and give her some freedom to experiment, she'll eventually figure out what works for her. Here are some guidelines and makeup tips for teens:

Emphasize Skin Care Most teens I know stress about their skin and getting the ever-dreaded zit. While genetics and hormones play a big role in how skin looks and feels, so does caring for it with the right skin care products. Get your daughter into the habit of washing and moisturizing her face every day, and it will eventually become as automatic as brushing her teeth. Oily skin needs an oil-free cleansing gel and lotion, normal skin can take a foaming cleanser and moisturizing lotion, and dry skin will benefit from a creamy cleanser and moisturizer. (Make sure all moisturizers have at least SPF 15.) Once a week, do a mother/daughter spa night at home. Try an exfoliating scrub to get rid of dry, flaky skin, or try face masks, which are available in hydrating and deep-cleaning formulas.

Less Is More When it comes to makeup, teens don't need a lot to look their best. Skip all-over foundation, and get her a stick foundation or blemish stick that matches her skin tone exactly to cover blemishes. A pressed powder compact is an easy way to touch up oiliness that builds up on her t-zone throughout the day. Keep color simple: Brown/black mascara and sheer, neutral colors on eyes are easy to wear and mistake-proof. Blush is flattering at any age, so pick a shade that looks like her cheeks when they're naturally flushed. All she needs on lips is lip gloss or lip stain in a shade that looks like the color of her lips taken up a few notches.

Easy Hair Removal A lot of teens are very conscious when it comes to hair, from unibrows to underarm and leg hair. If your daughter has bushy eyebrows, get her tweezers with a slanted tip, and show her how to pluck only stray hairs between her brows. Use a clear brow gel to keep brows in place. Shaving is the quickest and easiest way to get rid of coarse and thick body hair. To avoid painful nicks, get her a razor and a superthick shaving cream. Shaving in the shower when skin is soft and hairs are plumped up is her best bet.

Like Mother, Like Daughter Chances are, you are your daughter's biggest role model, so be diligent in your efforts to set a good example. The best beauty tip you can give her? Happiness and true beauty come when you accept and feel good about who you are.

The Backpack Makeup Kit
All teens need are a few key items to get through the day. Keep them in a separate makeup bag or pencil case.

Pressed powder compact with mirror to fix t-zone shininess

Foundation or blemish stick to cover up zits

Multipurpose chunky pencil for lips and cheeks

Lipstick or pot of gloss

Definitely leave the mascara at home; once a day is enough.