Hair and Make-up Tips

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.

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.

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.

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 jaw line.

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. Whoever you're into, whether it is Rihanna, Jessica Simpson, Lauren Conrad or Heidi Klum, 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.

Prom Makeup Tip #4: Two 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.

Prom Makeup Tip #5: What to bring in your purse

Every purse needs blotting paper. (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? nk. A costume change isn't necessary roller skating is much more fun when dressed festively! Grab your date's hand and have one last slow dance of the night on skates!