Your prom is a great time to have fun with your makeup – if you’re anything like the Prom Dress Finder team, you’ll have already spent hours watching the best prom makeup tutorials to find looks that work for you. We’ve rounded up 10 flawless prom makeup ideas that you can easily do at home, but if you are going to a makeup artist for your prom makeup, just save the image you love the most on your phone so they can recreate the look for you!
Once you’ve got a prom makeup idea you love, why not browse seven stylish hairstyles for prom for even more beauty inspiration?
Dramatic Winged Eyeliner
We can’t get enough of the winged eyeliner look – there’s a reason it’s been a classic for years and years. Fans of the retro look will love this daring cats-eye flick, paired with subtly sparkly iridescent eyeshadow and a neutral lip. If you’re going bold with your eye makeup, try keeping your lips simple to let your eyes do all the talking.
Top tip: Place some sellotape on a slant in line with the outer corner of your eye – this will give you a really sharp eyeliner flick. Just remember to remove it before heading out!
Classic Red Lip
Again – a classic for a reason! There’s a red lipstick out there for everyone and once you find yours, you’ll be rocking it for the rest of your life. If you want to make the most of your lips for prom, keep your eye makeup simple; a neutral eyeshadow and a touch of eyeliner and mascara, then go all out with a bright red lip colour. Beauty counters at department stores will be able to help you find a colour that suits you. If you can, buy a high-quality lipstick so it’s not too drying and will stay in place all evening. If you have a more limited budget, consider a liquid lipstick that will dry and set perfectly!
Top tip: Get your lips in top condition before applying your lipstick. Gently buff them with an old toothbrush a couple of times a week and apply lip balm whenever you can!
Alternative Prom Makeup Idea
You don’t have to go crazy for an alternative prom makeup look. We love love love this look – the pastel toned hair is set off perfectly with heavily-lined eyes and a subtle but striking lip colour. If you’re not feeling daring enough to dye your hair for prom, why not go for an unusual lilac-y lip tone?
Top tip: If you’re doing something different to what you’d normally do, test run it a few times before so you feel totally confident in your look at prom.
Matte Lipstick
Matte lipstick is a super cool look for prom – just think Kylie Jenner! She always rocks a matte lip and looks awesome. Go for a colour that is close to your own natural lip colour – make the most of what you have! We love how this matte lip is paired with a delicate smoky eye. When applying your eye makeup, use light colours in the inner corner and slowly layer with darker shades as you reach the edge, then blend, blend, blend!
Top tip: Get a matching lip liner and cover your lips in it for a base – the lipstick will look more defined and will stay in place longer. Just don’t over-line them.
Retro Glamour
If you want your prom look to be timeless, consider channelling that old-school Hollywood retro glamour. Pair a statement red lipstick with a simple but dramatic sweep of black eyeliner and you’ll have a classic look that will never date. We love the idea of pairing it with a half-up, half down prom hairstyle.
Top tip: Read our edit of the best prom hairstyles for more iconic hair inspiration.
Matching Lips and Nails
What says style queen more than perfectly matching your lips with your nails? We love this girl’s sassy choice of purple – it’s the perfect way to make a statement and ensure your lips stand out. A simple flick of eyeliner and low-key fake lashes are all that’s needed to complete the look, but she’s gone the extra mile and matched her nails to her lips. Goals.
Top tip: Pick a colour that works for you and coordinate it through your whole look
Pastel Eyeshadow
Metallics are having a moment, sure, but that doesn’t mean you should overlook the pretty pastel eyeshadow. A cute pastel shade is the ideal pick if you want to add a girly twist to your look – and it’s great for summer as well. We don’t even need to tell you how good it looks with an eyeliner flick – you can see for yourself.
Top tip: Pair this cute makeup look with some bold accessories to toughen it up a bit. We’ve got the most stunning prom accessory ideas for you to browse.
Bold Brows
A great brow will always make you look amazing and if looking after your brows isn’t part of your day-to-day makeup routine, now is the time to include it. If you have immaculate brows, you can get away with a more simple makeup look – this girl is rocking basic eye makeup and a simple lip effortlessly. We love the flower crown too.
Top tip: If you’ve not touched your brows before, go see a professional to get them shaped and then just keep on top of maintaining them.
Contrasting Neons
If you love to make a statement, don’t be scared to clash your prom makeup for a really dramatic look. We love this neon eyeshadow and bright lip combo – go for an edgy prom dress and you’ll be ready to head straight out to continue partying post-prom!
Top tip: Pair a dramatic prom makeup look with dramatic accessories – check out our edit of the best sparkly prom shoes.
Gothic Glamour
Maybe cute or colourful just isn’t your thing, and that’s fine! We can’t resist the allure of a dramatic dark lipstick like the one pictured below. An artistically smoky eye will complete the look perfectly – just don’t go too heavy with the dark shades as you want to look gorgeously gothic, not exhausted and gothic!
Top tip: All about the dark side? Check out our edit of the most stylish black prom dresses – it’s made for you!
Still looking for more finishing touches for your prom look? We’ve rounded up our favourite prom corsages from Instagram to inspire you!