Even if you don’t usually bother with make-up, the prom night is one occasion when you might start!
There are two key reasons for this, one is the photos – there will be lots of them and you will look back on them forever.
The second is that you will be wearing a fabulous dress, and fabulous dresses need you to look as sparkling and polished as you can, otherwise it just looks weird.
Skin sins
Foundation can cover up a multitude of sins and also makes it more likely that you’re skin will look good in photographs. However, it can be tricky to get it right, so use it only if you really need to, and experiment beforehand. Colour matching the foundation to your skin tone is important; don’t be tempted to choose one that is too dark in the hope of making yourself looked tanned. It’s also important to blend the foundation at the jaw line and on your neck, otherwise your face will look far too different to the rest of your skin.
Eye-catching eyes
When it comes to eye make up, remember that with all the dancing (and maybe crying if it’s the last time you’ll be seeing your mates at school), your mascara might run. Waterproof mascara is a good bet. The celebrity make-up artists tend to pick out either the eyes or the lips, but rarely both. Decide which one is your best feature and focus the effect on that, whilst toning down the make-up on the other. For example, if you’re going for dramatic eye make-up, consider a subtle lipstick colour.
Hair-do can do…
Whatever you do, don’t dye your hair the day of the prom, especially if you’re experimenting with a new colour. Try it out at least a month before, so it has plenty of time to wash out if you don’t like it. The same goes for a haircut; experiment but leave at least six weeks for it to grow enough to change it if you need to.
No tiara tantrums please!
If you want to wear a tiara or fancy having your hair put up, you can arrange for special practice sessions at the hairdressers. This is a good idea as you can try different styles without worrying about the time, and you can wear it home and try it with the dress. Some dresses suit hair being worn up more than worn loose, so seeing both together is a real must. Don’t forget to take the tiara or special hair accessories that you plan to wear on the night with you to the hairdressers.
A hair-do starts the night before
The number one rule for hair that is going to be put up for special occasions might seem counter-intuitive: don’t wash your hair on the same day as the event. It’s better to wash it the night before, as newly washed hair is at its most slippery, and will slide out of hair grips much more easily.
Another thing to remember is that you will be dancing, so hairspray and lots of hair grips (probably more than you think) are important to keep it in place. Pop a few in your evening bag too to tackle the inevitable stray ends.
Are you sure you want to put your hair up?
If you aren’t used to having your hair up, spend a few days with it back in a ponytail – you may realise that you will always prefer to wear it down. Finding out beforehand will prevent you from feeling self-conscious on the night. If you don’t like having your hair up, it doesn’t matter how beautiful the hair-do is, you will regret your decision.
