Prom Makeup, How-To! Look Gorgeous on Your Special Night!

Be the girl with the BEST prom makeup, even if you're on a budget! You can achieve a huge variety of looks for your special night. No special skills required! Don't have a lot of money to spend? Not a worry!

No need to pay big bucks to a makeup artist, only to worry you might hate the outcome. I'll walk you through it all, step-by-step.

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Let's start with some prom makeup basics and move onto more advanced tips. I focus on mineral makeup specifically because that is my personal favorite type of makeup, but you can use any type you prefer, really. I'll show you how to choose the best makeup for your skin type, whether you've got acne, scars, redness, etc.

Are you ready to look gorgeous? Good. Here we go...

Our Best Mineral Makeup Look page will show you the best colors for you and give you some starter tips. Read that if you wish to really establish a great "foundation" (pun intended!) for prom makeup application.

Also, our Makeup Tips page gives a wealth of information and links to various makeup tips, tricks and looks. You'll love that for more information.

This page, however, is specifically about PROM makeup.

A word of caution. Make sure you have EVERYTHING prepared in advance for prom. You want all the proper makeup brushes, cosmetic colors, accessories AND plan of action in place at least two weeks before prom. One week at the minimum. The best way to ruin your prom night is to not plan anything and end up rushing around at the last minute, not sure what to do. I did this with my hair style and although, it turned out okay, it wasn't FABULOUS.

You want to be fabulous. Plan ahead.

First: Foundation and Concealer Prom Makeup

I recommend mineral makeup and concealer, both in loose powder format. If you are unfamiliar with these, or don't have enough time to order any, then stick with what you prefer.

This type of makeup is excellent for acne prone skin as it will help to keep oilier skin types looking fresh and clear.

And mineral makeup is so easy to apply.

If acne is a problem, apply your favorite acne skin care products, such as serums or creams. Allow those to soak in till no longer tacky.

Now, if you have severely oily skin, you might consider a foundation primer. I recommend a loose powder mineral foundation primer as these will keep everything on your face in order. They are usually cornstarch or arrowroot powder based, so look for those ingredients. Kaolin clay and others clays are great ingredients as well.

Just dust primer lightly onto entire face and neck at this point.

Now, take a small concealer brush and dip it into your loose powder concealer. Apply to acne, other blemishes and under the eyes.

Then using a kabuki brush, buff your mineral foundation all over your face AND NECK. You want it all to be the same color for pictures.

DON'T apply a color too light for your skin or you will appear ghostly in photos.

Go back over any blemishes that might need more help, if desired. Take your foundation (and all other makeup items) with you to prom. You never know when you'll need to touch up!

SECOND: Blush or Bronzer Prom Makeup

Pick one. Since prom is usually at night, I recommend a blush to help brighten your cheeks. You can apply it a little heavier than usual, but be careful. Make sure to apply it in full lighting so you can really see how it will appear with camera flashes going off in your face!

Color choice... This will depend upon the look you are going for.

Natural Look: Keep it natural and simple for a modest look. Try pinks or salmons. (If you're not familiar with salmon, it is basically a peachy pink). Lighter skintones should stick with the pinky or peachy shades.

Dramatic Look: For a more sultry look, go with a stronger tone like a mauve or berry shade. Darker skin should pick one of these colors for sure.

Simply dip a large, fluffy powder brush into your loose powder or pressed blush and dust onto cheeks. Start at the hair line and sweep DOWNWARD at an angle toward the apples of your cheeks. Apply light layers, checking to see how much you have applied.

Then, using the residual blush left in the powder brush, sweep lightly across your forehead, chin, collarbone, and then nose, for a sculpted look.

You can wear a bronzer if you prefer, but they tend to look more... "sunny" as they are brown-toned. If you do opt for a bronzer, apply it very lightly and smoothly, and stick to more natural tones.

Beautiful you!

Okay, next!!

THIRD: Prom Makeup for Eyes

You have endless options for eye makeup. If you do play up your eyes strongly, then make sure to go with nude or subtle lips. Trying to emphasize both looks harsh.

Natural Look: For a natural look, a simple brown eye shadow swept into your crease will look grand. Smudge with fingers till blended. Apply a little more than you normally would. Apply just a touch of it to your eyebrows with an angled brush for a classier appearance.

Apply a creamy, soft shimmer eye shadow right under your eyebrows. This will lift the eyes and give a brighter look. Take this same bright cream color, and dab onto the inner corners of the eyes for more brightening.

Dark brown eyeliner will make most eyes pop. Finish with black mascara if you have dark hair or black/brown mascara for all other hair colors.

Dramatic Look: There are literally SOOO many options, that I cannot list them all here. For more sultry looks, check out our complete section on eye makeup. It is jam-packed full of eye makeup ideas and pictures.

Pick several that you like and experiment several weeks before your prom night. Take pictures to see how you look, and show friends/family members. Get opinions, but ultimately pick the look that YOU like the best! Practice it several times so you get it "just right" on the big day!

Don't... let me repeat... DON'T apply red or pink eyeshadow for prom. Unless you get the perfect shade and apply it perfectly ,you will most likely end up looking as if you've been crying or sleeping. Not good.

FOURTH: Prom Makeup for Lips

If you don't want to have to worry all night about lipstick on your teeth, I recommend going with a gloss. If you love lipstick, then pick a shade that coordinates with your eye look. Go with subtle lips if your eyes will be dramatic. Go with dramatic lips if your eyes will appear more natural.

Natural Look: Simple slick on some lip gloss or tinted lip balm. Easy!

Dramatic Look: Shop around and find the best lipstick color for your skin tone. Rather than trying to figure out whether your skin tone is cool, natural or warm, (gosh, you're busy studying for tests and writing papers for goodness sake!), just go to a tester counter or a place that offers samples and try a bunch. Pick the one you love.

Don't try to go with red, just because it is the classic dramatic lip color. Some people just look awful in it. I am one of them! I can't wear red to save my life. But if it looks great on you, then go for it!

So experiment. You might choose a shimmery brown. Maybe a peachy glow. Perhaps a wine. You'll know when you find the right color. Your face will just seem SO pretty!!!

Make sure that you have your foundation on at this point, and preferably the eye look you will wear. You want it all to flow together.

For stunning lips, I recommend first lining your lips with a long-lasting natural lip pencil. If you have small lips, apply the liner just outside the lip line, but not too much! You'll look like you've tried too hard. Be subtle here!

If you have large lips, line them just inside the lip line.

Then apply a thin layer of foundation to your lips. Blot with a tissue.

Then apply your favorite lipstick shade. Blot with a tissue.

Reapply the lipstick.

Stick your finger into your mouth, wrap your lips lightly around the finger and pull your finger out. This will prevent lipstick from getting on your teeth.

Take a mirror and recheck your lipstick every once in a while. Apply a fresh coat of lipstick after eating and right before any picture-taking. Kissing can also wear your lipstick off, but of course you won't be doing that on prom night. Right? RIIIIIGHHHTT? :) Mmm hmmm.

FIFTH: Finishing Powder Prom Makeup

Finish everything with a Finishing Powder. Just dust a light coating to help cut down on oil. Don't apply TOO much or you'll look cakey and made-up.

Take some along with you in your purse or better yet, take blotting papers. You'll need to touch up shine (especially if you have oily skin) thoughout the night and especially before photos.

NOW...MONEY TIME.

Okay, so you don't want to spend an arm and a leg on your prom makeup. I hear you.

You have several options here.

1. Ignore all sensibilities and go spend a fortune on prom makeup. (Why are you giving me that funny look?...) You will need to spend SOMETHING if you currently have no makeup at all and no friends with makeup. (doubtful).

OR

2. Set a "prom makeup" budget and stick to it. Let's say $20. You probably already have foundation and perhaps a blush you can use. The only thing you might need to splurge on is lipstick and liner. You want the perfect shade here. Don't skimp and settle for something you don't love.

OR

3. Go the FREE-LOADER route. Borrow cosmetics from mom, sis, auntie or best friend. Don't spend a thing on prom makeup, just mooch!!

MATCHING YOUR PROM MAKEUP TO YOUR DRESS AND HAIR

You want your ENTIRE look to blend flawlessly and effortlessly.

Simple, unkempt hair with bright, dramatic makeup will look funny. A sequined red dress won't match purple and orange eyeshadow. Make sure it all flows. I recommend picking your dress out FIRST THING. Make sure you adore it!!

Then decide on your hair style. Up, down, curly, straight? Tiara, diamond bobby pins... etc. It should match the style of the dress.

**For some great looks by another site I love, check out:

Your Guide To Prom Hairstyles:

Whether you are looking for Prom, Grad, or Homecoming hairstyles you will find choices galore at Beauty And The Bath. With classic Prom updos or Mohawk updos, half up, half down, all up, funky prom hairstyles, or short, medium, or long prom looks. **

Your Prom Perfectly Planned And Personalized

If your dress is really huge and poofy (ballroom-style), I recommend an up hair-do OR a simple, sleek down look (like soft cascading curls). Don't try to have a big dress AND big hair. You'll scare everybody.

For a smaller, shorter, sleeker, or tighter dress, you can get away with bigger curls or a massive waterfall of curls coming down from the top of your head onto your shoulders. Or, you can keep the whole look sleek, by going with a classic twist or bun or gentle, flatter curls.

Once you decide on the dress and hair, THEN and only then decide on your preferred prom makeup style. Natural or dramatic. Or perhaps somewhere in between.

Don't get too matchy-matchy. If you have a red dress, don't wear red lipstick AND red eyeshadow AND red blush. No, no, no.

Perhaps red lipstick, but then go natural on the blush and eyes. Perhaps just browns and creams for the eyes.

If you have a simple, natural dress, you can either go with a natural look with hair and makeup OR go more fancy with your makeup.

BASIC SUMMARY:

Go either:

1. All natural (dress, hair and makeup). This creates a soft, innocent look.

OR.

2. Pick ONE thing to focus on. This applies to your over all look AND to just your prom makeup. Focus on either your dress, hair or makeup being dominant and tone down the other two. Whether or not your makeup is the dominant one, still make sure that you don't play up your eyes and your lips. Pick ONE.

Most of all, have fun! Experiment many times to achieve the correct overall look for your prom makeup. Take pictures of your whole look and your face to make sure you'll be immortalized as a stunning beauty in all those photos you'll have to pose for.

Another thing to consider is a great Prom Spray Tan

Have a happy prom night!

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