Prom Makeup

Horrific makeup debacles are the stuff of prom night horror stories. On one level, prom night is a rite of passage in the looks department, in that a lady learns to put on makeup meticulously so that she blends youth and sophistication to get that perfect prom look.

Glamming up in equal parts, choose wisely in selecting the dress and the makeup. Furthermore, the prom makeup is there to enhance the dress, not take away from it. In order not to look overdone, girls should keep prom makeup simple, sheer and pretty.

Prom makeup application is no different from any other. Every application starts with a reliable foundation. Before anything else though, old makeup and dirt should have been removed. That is, one may want to use a mask the night before. Once clean, only then can a foundation be applied on the face. A concealer may be used to blot out any unwanted blemishes. Concealer should be dabbed only wherever needed, after which translucent powder may be applied lightly onto forehead, nose and chin.

After applying the foundation, the eyes are on the receiving end of prom makeup. A wash of sheer eye shadow from lash line to brow may be applied. The secret to long, thick eyelashes is starting at the root of the lashes, wiggling the brush from left to right while pulling the wand up and out.

Next off is applying a powder blush, which must be applied on the apples of the cheeks. A stroke of super glossy lipstick completes the look.

Figuring out what makeup colors to wear with the prom dress is a no-brainer. The shades of the prom makeup must complement the dress. In other words, if the dress is purple, cool tones like plum lipstick, for example, or a light dusting of eggplant shadow, work. For a red dress, a red lip stain topped with lots of clear gloss is the way to go, coupled by gray or taupe eye shadow. When going for green, shades of apricot or earthy pink can complement the eyes, lips and cheeks. As for that little black dress, one can never go wrong with cool pink tones.

Makeup for different skin tones

Not quite as rigorously as a sleuth on a code-breaking mission, girls might think about approaching the selection of prom makeup with marked apprehension when it comes to honoring the basic beauty in their complexion.

Asian girls look gorgeous with earthy hues, as natural colors balance any yellow undertone in the skin. For these girls, soft browns and bronzes work best on eyes. Their lips are at their best with reds, berries, and other similar shades.

Women-of-color may prefer warm tones, as in translucent shades of pink, copper, bronze, or berry colors on eyes and cheeks. Meanwhile, women with light complexions would be wise to stick with pale shades and avoid dark hues.

The best prom makeup for olive-skinned women is earthy tones with the occasional warm peach or olive green thrown in on the eyes and cheek.

After-all--is-said-and-done, shine-free skin begins with the appropriate moisturizer and foundation. Those genetically configured with oily skin should reach for oil-free formulas. For a no-powder look, the oil-challenged may shake loose powder onto fingers and slather it onto skin, first in an upward direction, then down.