Presenting Your Official Beauty Countdown to Prom
Photo: Jason Lloyd Evans1/10While awards season may be winding down, if you're in high school, the height of glam is just getting started as prom season approaches. And while finding the right dress is definitely important, it's the beauty prep that gets stressful — especially, if like us, you put everything off until the last minute and find yourself balancing a curling iron while you try to track down your favorite mascara and keep your freshly painted nails from smudging. To help you avoid our mistakes, we put together a list of all the beauty prep you could possibly need (and when it needs to be done!), straight from the pros. From the major steps like finding the right hairstyle and makeup to the smaller details like picking the perfect polish and grooming your brows, here are all our best tips for a red carpet-worthy prom.
Photo: Jason Lloyd Evans2/10Proper Skin Prep
If there's ever a true need to put your best face forward, prom, and the never-ending camera flashes it brings with it, is it. For a lit-from-within glow before you even apply your makeup, you've probably considered booking a facial. But make sure you don't wait until the last second to schedule your sesh. Ildi Pekar, facialist to supermodels Miranda Kerr, Irina Shayk, and Lindsay Ellingson, tells us that three weeks before prom is the facial sweet spot. "It can happen that you get post-facial breakouts," Ildi says of the importance of giving your skin enough time to adjust post-treatment. "When we extract your pores, it allows what is living deeper in your skin to come to the surface as well, so doing it three weeks [before prom] would give your skin enough time to look its best for the event." If a facial is out of the budget, Ildi says not to change up the products in your skincare routine before prom to avoid any possible adverse reactions to products, with the exception of a mud mask (like her Hungarian Thermal Mud Mask). Not only is it a great way for acne sufferers to minimize breakouts and any redness or inflammation they bring along with them, but Ildi says it also detoxifies and purifies the skin for a brighter complexion.
Photo: Jason Lloyd Evans3/10Brighter Smile
For a whiter smile by prom, you could have your teeth professionally bleached several weeks before or you can simply DIY your way to pearly whites, according to cosmetic dentist Dr. Gregg Lituchy of Lowenberg, Lituchy, and Kantor. "Crest 3D White Luxe Strips are a great option for at-home whitening on a budget," he tells us. "White strips work to their maximum in two weeks," he went on to say, advising readers to pair their white strips with a daily whitening toothpaste two weeks before prom for your best results. "If you don't have a few days and you're in a pinch, Luster Now! Instant Whitening Toothpaste will make teeth appear brighter instantly," Dr. Lituchy says.
Photo: Jason Lloyd Evans4/10Keep Your Hair Color Fresh
You'll probably want to avoid any crazy color changes (like, say, going from brunette to blonde) ahead of prom, but to keep your current color looking its best, Sally Hershberger colorist Cassondra Kaeding recommends heading to the salon a week before prom. "Waiting longer than one week, the color can oxidize, making you feel like your color is flat and not fresh," she says, adding, “If you need to make any adjustments to your hair, you can go back and have your colorist make the corrections you feel necessary." If your hair color is already a pretty low-maintenance balayage or ombré, Cassondra says you can opt for a clear shine gloss anywhere between a week up to the day before prom. "This will not alter the hair color," she tells us, but it makes your hair feel smooth and look shiny, "perfect for a hair pick-me-up." When the salon isn't an option, Cassondra says you can still fake glossy hair at home. After your hair is styled, she recommends rubbing a few drops of Sally Hershberger 24K Golden Touch Nourishing Dry Oil into your palms and applying it at the ends up to the mid-shaft and sparingly to the roots. "This acts as a leave-in treatment and seals split ends so your hair looks smooth, shiny, and healthy."
Photo: Jason Lloyd Evans5/10Brows on Fleek
Obviously you're going to want to make sure your brows are looking their best before you head off to prom, and Umbreen Sheikh, CEO and founder of Wink Brow Bar, says that you can have your brows waxed a few days before the dance or threaded as late as the day before. "Threading leaves the delicate skin around the eye area safe and exfoliated [so] there is little chance of excess skin removal and redness," she tells us. "I recommend [having your brows done] no more than three days out so that your hairs don't start growing back and you have a super fresh and polished appearance on your special day," she adds. If you choose to have your brows waxed and notice irritation, Umbreen suggests rinsing the area with cold water several times and then using a cotton ball to dab either cold milk or aloe gel on the area.
Photo: Jason Lloyd Evans6/10Bronzed Babe
A good self-tanner can be hard to find, but if you want to give yourself an all-over bronze boost, St. Tropez skin finisher Sophie Evans (and the expert behind the golden glows of celebs like Victoria Beckham and Kate Beckinsale) says getting a tan at home is easier than ever. "My top tip is to make sure you have all the tanning essentials, which include a tan applicator mitt to protect your hands, a non-oil-based moisturizer to protect dry areas like the elbows, knees, hands, and feet from tanning too dark and a good non-oil-based exfoliator to prep your skin beforehand," she tells us. Sophie recommends using the St. Tropez Classic Bronzing Mousse for at-home application because the tinted formula lets you see where your tan will develop, plus it dries faster than a lotion. "If you can let a self-tan develop overnight, you will always get the best results," Sophie says on the importance of applying your tan a few days before prom. "Whatever type of tanning you opt for, be it a professional spray tan or a self-tan mousse application, it's always best to try it a few weeks prior to prom, too, so that you are confident you will look your best on your big day," Sophie stresses.
Photo: Jason Lloyd Evans7/10Manicure Rules
To make sure your nails are mani cam worthy (except minus the actual mani cam because no one really likes that), celebrity and editorial manicurist Miss Pop says to make sure you get your nails done the day of or day before prom if you're sticking with regular polish and three to four days before the dance if you're getting gel. As far as trends, Miss Pop says, "soft silvers, golds, and rose golds and opalescent shades that have a holographic or mermaid effect," will all be huge for spring. "Not only are those shades totally trendy, but they're also sparkly [and give] a light-catching shimmer on the dance floor," she tells us. If you're looking for a bit of inspiration, Miss Pop's Instagram is full of fun looks, but there are several she especially loves depending on your personal style. "If your prom look is boho or romantic, try a metallic nail," she suggests, pointing to this two-toned metallic look she created for the Rodarte spring/summer 2016 show. If your style is more sleek, Miss Pop suggests a clean base with a simple stripe like her chicer take on the coffin nail that she created for Marissa Webb spring/summer 2016. To match more girly tastes, Miss Pop's pick is a floral nail like the pink-and-white combo she created for Erin Fetherston, complete with pearl accents. You can even DIY your own nail art with Miss Pop's Tattify collection, that you apply with a damp paper towel like flash tattoos and then just seal with a top coat.
Photo: Jason Lloyd Evans8/10Consider Your Styling Options
While styles like the wet hair look might work on the red carpet, for prom, it's less about high-fashion and more about effortlessly pretty looks. "It's all about a trend for high school girls," Sally Hershberger stylist Nicolas Flores tells us. "Definitely seeing fewer updos and more undone waves and deconstructed braids," he says of the slightly messy styles. If you've made the chop this year and are working with shorter hair, Nicolas says that less-is-more styling (think Lucy Hale's tousled bob) is still on trend for prom. "Almost create bends in the hair to create a soft wave look and not a formed curl," he says. Still, if you're a more is more girl, Nicolas says you can dress up the more undone styles with some accessories. "Hair jewelry has been huge this last year," he says. "Whether it's a cool design with bobby pins, a jeweled headband, or a cool head chain, it's a look that can dress up your hairstyle." Just don't overdo it and pair a statement hair accessory with an embellished dress, too. But more important than following current hair trends is communicating with your stylist, Nicolas says. "Definitely search for some inspiration photos and bring them in to your stylist," he stresses. "Having a complete understanding of a style you are looking to achieve is key to a stylist." If you're doing your hair yourself and you're going for something totally different than you normally wear, make sure to practice ahead of time so you can get it just right and don't have to worry about stressing out the day of.
Photo: Jason Lloyd Evans9/10Makeup to Match
When it comes to choosing your makeup for the big night, Julie Harris, who's glammed celebs like Kiernan Shipka, Allison Williams, and Kate Hudson, says it's all about personal style but there are a few rules to abide by. "You may want to be classic with a pop of color if you're wearing black or navy," she says. "I think a bright red [lip] looks pretty on most skin tones with a nude eye or a little thin black line on the top lashes," she suggests, if you decide to play up the lips. "[Or] I love the blue liners we're seeing this season – a smoky eye with a shimmer of marine blue can be really beautiful," she suggests, if bold eye makeup is more your thing. "If you're wearing a white or pastel-colored dress, you may want to warm your skin tone [and] try bronzed eyeshadows with a rose or nude lip." If you're going to a pro to get your makeup done, Julie recommends a trial run if possible, and at the very least, bringing along plenty of pictures of the makeup look you want. If you're doing your makeup yourself, you can still give yourself a trial run to ensure you've got it down, and Julie stresses the importance of using the right tools and perfecting your base makeup. "Make sure you have proper blending brushes for applying shadows and a Beauty Blender sponge for blending your foundation," Julie says, adding, "Make sure you powder your T-zone so you [won't] be shiny for photos." For girls who don't usually wear a lot of makeup and want to feel comfortable but still dressed up, "Groomed brows and a pretty rose lip with a hint of cream blush and natural champagne highlights on the cheekbones will give a subtle hint of glam," Julie says.
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