For a lot of high schoolers, this year is the first in a couple that you get to experience prom IRL. It’s Prom time—if there was ever a time to go all out with your look, this is it. To top off your expertly styled evening look, you’ll also need equally epic makeup that stays put from the pre-party photos to the very last dance.
We asked celebrity makeup artist Melissa Hernandez to share four fun beauty trends that are perfect for prom. She also gives her tips for creating them with totally smudge-proof results. Whether you’re ready to pile on the glitter or go for a bold lip, here’s your prom makeup match.
Twinkle Eyes
This glitter style sparks creativity. Start by priming your lids. “Prepping the eye with concealer will give your shadow a nice sticky base to adhere to and make the color payoff much more intense and saturated,” says Hernandez. She suggests Maybelline New York Super Stay Longwear Liquid Concealer. “The transfer-resistant formula locks eyeshadow into place.”
For shadow, choose a glittery shade that matches your outfit. Try a dual-toned look with complementary shades, or go bold with total contrast. Finish with a waterproof liner that won’t smudge throughout the night (we love Maybelline New York Eyestudio Hyper Easy Liquid Liner). For extra credit, apply some rhinestones or gems around the eyes. Use lash glue and tweezers to stick them in place without messing up your makeup.
Apply a matte lippie in a classic pink shade like Maybelline New York Super Stay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick in Guest of Honor.
70’s-Inspired Color
“Loud colors, bold exaggerated lashes, and glossy lips” are staples of the 70’s vibe, says Hernandez. For a modern take on the look, rim the top and bottom lash lines with a blue or teal eyeliner Next, stamp a deeper blue shade along your upper lid. For a glitzy disco effect, Hernandez recommends using your fingertips to pat a shimmery shade onto your eyelids, before adding three coats lengthening mascara to your top and bottom lashes. “The Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Sky High Waterproof Mascara delivers full volume and limitless length to achieve that doe-eyed 70’s look,” she says.
To complement your bright eye, slick on the Maybelline New York Super Stay Ink Crayon Lipstick Birthday Edition in the shade Blow the Candle. “This shade brings to mind that peachy 70’s lip,” Hernandez says.
Glowing, Sun-Kissed Skin
Two words: Bronzer and highlighter. To perfect your base, Hernandez recommends choosing foundation and concealer that are specifically formulated to last. The Maybelline New York Superstay Longwear Liquid Foundation promises to stay in place for a whopping 30 hours. Follow with Maybelline New York Lasting Fix Banana Powder—“think of this as a real-life filter. It instantly blurs and smooths imperfections, creating a soft-focus effect that extends the wear of your foundation,” Hernandez says.
For the glow factor, reach for your bronzer. Using a brush, lightly sweep the product on the face starting at the perimeter of your forehead, and blend onto your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose and along your jawline for a slightly contoured look. Apply a gleaming highlighter onto the high points of your face—upper cheekbones, Cupid’s bow and along brow bones.
Always use a setting spray. “It’s the easiest way to lock in your look for flawless, all-day wear,” Hernandez says. “My go-to is Maybelline New York Facestudio Lasting Fix Makeup Setting Spray because the fine mattifying mist keeps your products from melting, creasing, budging, and fading.”
A fun lipstick shade adds a pop of color to the bronze-y look. “Life of the Party from The Maybelline New York Super Stay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick Birthday Collection is bright, bold, and lasts for up to 16 hours,” says Hernandez.
90’s-esque Lined Lips
“The 90’s brought us matte skin, dark lip colors, and heavily lined eyes and lips,” Hernandez says. “This look is making a comeback because it’s bold and non-conforming. It's about making a statement.”
No homage to the 90’s is complete without lip liner. First, exfoliate your lips with a clean, damp washcloth. Apply a hydrating lip balm to give you an even base. “Apply lip liner (in a shade that's darker than your lipstick) by drawing a small ‘x’ just above the Cupid's bow,” Hernandez says. “Round out the edges and slowly work your way towards the corners of your mouth and bottom lip.“Fill in with some color. Try a brown-tinged shade from the Maybelline New York Super Stay Matte Ink collection for that 90's look. “To ensure lip color lasts all day and night, lightly blot lips with translucent setting powder before heading out the door,” says Hernandez.
For an edgy eye look inspired by the decade, line your upper and lower lash lines with Maybelline New York TattooStudio Smokey Gel Pencil Eyeliner, and then use a small brush to blend the edges outward. “This will enhance that grungy, lived-in look,” she says.
