Prom Makeup Tip #1: Pick your eyes OR your mouth
The biggest mistake people make when putting on makeup is that they highlight both the eye and the mouth. You need to pick one or the other and downplay what you rejected.
How to pick? Simple. What do people compliment you on? Do you have Angelina Jolie's lips or Kate Bosworth's eyes? If you choose to focus on your lips, you'll want to go bright.
Red is hot for prom, as are dark pinks. Just stay away from brown (leave it for your grandmother) and make sure you keep your eye makeup soft and simple.
For the right way to wear red lipstick check out this article . If you want to play up your eyes, go all out with liner, shadow, mascara and even false eyelashes (the ones that AREN'T obnoxious and outlandish). Just make sure you stick with light lips capped with a light gloss.
Smokey eyes are a great look for prom. Here are step-by-step instructions .
Prom Makeup Tip #2: Perfect your skin tone.
Perfecting your skin tone can be more important than eye makeup. But the secret is to make it look like you're wearing hardly any makeup. In this article, we show you how to achieve a flawless face.
While we're firm believers that few women under age 25 need foundation, if you have acne or an uneven skin tone, you'll want to cover it up with concealer and foundation.
To avoid the pancake batter look, only apply foundation on the areas of skin that are discolored or have blemishes (usually the forehead, cheeks and chin). Make sure to choose a foundation that perfectly matches your skin and blend in well along the jawline.
Unsure how to pick the right foundation? Skip the drugstore and head instead to a department store or Sephora, where you can try before you buy.
Prom Makeup Tip #3: If in doubt, mimic a celebrity
A good trick for those of us overwhelmed with hair and makeup choices is to mimic a celebrity look. Whomever you're into, whether it be Mischa Barton (pictured right), Carrie Underwood, Kristin Callaveri or Ashlee Simpson, you can adapt their look for your prom.
Chances are a professional makeup artist did the celebrity's makeup. If you're having your makeup done at a department store counter before prom, you can bring along the picture for your makeup artist to perfect.
It can also be easy to do it yourself since many magazines name the products used on the celebrity. This way you can apply the exact makeup the celeb used. Here are some of our favorite looks:
1. Penelope Cruz's smokey eyes). Remember to keep your cheek color natural and use a very light lipstick. See directions for how to get a smokey eye above.
2. Keep cheeks dewy with a pink blush and plump up lips with a colored gloss.
3. Red lipstick is a great look, just make sure to pick the perfect shade and go light on your eyes, otherwise you'll risk looking like a Cameron Diaz 'don't').
4. Dark-rimmed eyes, like Katherine Heigl's, are gorgeous. Again, a light gloss on the lips will do you.
Tear out a picture of your favorite celebrity and practice the look before the big night. Once you're at prom, no one but you has to know you're the OTHER Mary-Kate Olsen.
Prom Makeup Tip #4: Three things to remember when taking pictures
You'll have those prom pictures for years, so don't forget these three things:
1. Apply liner and lipstick WITH A MIRROR before you pose.
2. Powder your oily areas (forehead, chin and nose) immediately before the picture. Or better yet, keep blotting papers in your purse.
3. Find out how to stand so you look ten pounds thinner.
Prom Makeup Tip #5: What to bring in your purse
Every purse needs blotting papers (better than applying powder all night, which can leave you looking like a mime), lipstick or gloss, powder (just in case), breath mints and a small bottle of hairspray.
One last thing: Remember, a happy, fun attitude is your biggest beauty weapon. Who doesn't look beautiful when they're happy and smiling?
