Do Your Own Prom Hair and Makeup

If there's anything I can say about prom, it's that prom night should be absolutely perfect. Everything you dreamed it would be.

With that said, you've probably got things pretty under control, no doubt it'll be the best night of your life. You found your date in record time and you're working on finding the perfect dress. And with that fabulous style of yours, I'm not even the slightest bit worried about how great you'll look on prom night.

So obviously the question is why you would pay someone else to do your prom hair and makeup when you can totally do it yourself? I mean, as long as you have the right tools and some gorgeous celebrity hairstyles and celebrity makeup looks to copy, it'll be easy peasy for a pro like you.

So pulled together a gallery of super easy prom hairstyles and prom makeup looks (and by easy, I mean you won't believe how simple some of these looks are) for you to try on before your prom.

Your end result will look so professional that no one will know that you did it yourself -- they'll totally think you spent the time and money to get it done at a salon. And then you can spend that cash you saved on a killer pair of shoes, a limo for you and your group, appetizer and dessert at dinner, whatever ...

Decide on a vibe

Whether it's being the rock girl, vintage inspired or boho-chic, your hair and makeup need to come together and give off a similar vibe. So flip through those magazines and look for your favorite celebrities rocking the red carpet. That way, you can find the perfect style to fit your personality.

Do a practice run

This is so, so important.  Definitely -- pick your look a couple months before, and learn how to do it. And on the day of, give yourself at least an hour and a half. Allotting enough time will make sure you don't get stressed out. Make sure you have everything out and ready, and have a clear focus on what your next steps are.

Also, be sure to have a backup plan. If you put on the dress, and your hair or makeup just doesn't fit the vibe you thought you were going for, it will help to have a backup look in case you decide to change your mind at the last minute.

Prep in advance

For your hair: Start by doing a weekly conditioning treatment -- a month before prom night. I love Aussie Three Minute Miracle, £4.99. The key is to do it continuously. Also, a clear at-home gloss is really easy to apply yourself, and it will give your hair that same shine (try L'Oreal Paris Secrets Shine Gloss ).

For your makeup: Make sure you exfoliate and moisturise your skin well in the days leading up to prom night. And get your brows waxed a few weeks before prom night. You never want to do these things so close to the event in case you have a reaction. And please -- avoid the sun. There's nothing worse than being that scorched, uncomfortable girl who decided to lay out the day before prom.

The essential products you'll need (for your hairstyle)

To accomplish a basic prom hairstyle at home, you'll need three important things.

1. A foundation product. This will get your hair to have a little bit of hold. This can be a volumizing mousse, flexible gel or a setting spray (I like Shockwaves Ultra Strong Heat Defence Volumising Mousse, £2.85). Applying it to damp hair will give it some structure before you begin styling.

2. A styling product. This includes anything you use during the styling process, like heat protectant sprays or a flexible hairspray (I like Aussie Opposites Attract Hairspray, £3.89). Just mist each section of hair before curling it, and it'll lock in the style while still letting you run your fingers through it.

3. A finishing cream. I suggest something that is more opaque, as opposed to a silicone serum, which could get a little too greasy if you're applying it at home. I like Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly Finishing Cream, £4.79, which will help take away any frizz and complete your look.

The essential products you'll need (for your makeup)

To accomplish a basic prom makeup look at home, you'll need five essential things. 1. A primer. It will minimize large pores and help skin appear smoother (our favorite is Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer, £19.12).
2. A tinted moisturiser. This will provide protection and help to even out your skin tone (try Nivea Visage Tinted Moisturiser Cream, £7.60).
3. A light bronzer or powder blush will add some color to your cheeks (try Urban Decay Baked Bronzer, £20).
4. A great gloss or lipstick that is comfortable and doesn't need a ton of maintenance (try Mac Pro Longwear LipColour, £17.50).
5. A mascara to enhance your lashes and frame your eyes (I love L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Waterproof Mascara, £5.99).

Do-it-yourself prom hairstyle #1: The down-do

Creating a soft, polished wave is so easy to do at home, because it's all about having a pattern. You just learn to do one section of hair and then you can do the whole thing. Here's how to get the look :

1. To make it look more polished and "expensive," make sure you create a clean, defined part for definition before you begin styling.
2. Next, apply a styling mousse to damp roots and loosely blow dry it straight using a paddle brush. This will set the part.
3. Section out a 1-inch piece of hair and clip the rest of your hair away. Lightly spritz the section with hairspray, and wrap it around a 1-inch or 1 1/2-inch curling iron.
4. My secret to perfect waves? On the left side of the face, wrap it away from the face to the left. On the right side, wrap it away from the face to the right. Something as simple as that changes the entire way it looks.
5. Also, the key is to hold the iron upside down That way it will just slide off the bottom once the curl is in place. Then repeat this with the rest of your hair in 1-inch sections, with the left, back and right sides of your head.

If you want to add some bling to the look, I suggest going for a vintage hair accessory. See if your grandmother has an old brooch. Then you can just buy a hairpin and hot glue the brooch onto it for a unique touch.

Do-it-yourself prom hairstyle #2: The half updo

Half updos tend to look really young, but there are things you can do to make them look more grown up and super trendy. For example, you can try incorporating a two or three strand braid, which will add texture and let you get away with the boho-chic trend. Here's how to get the look :
1. Start with a side part. Mist your hair with a setting spray to add some texture before you start.
2. Now you'll want to add some extra lift to the top of your hair. Instead of teasing it (which can look like you have a rat's nest in your hair), to try this simple trick: Lift your hair up in sections, spray each section with hairspray from underneath, and then hit it with a blow dryer to get that sexy volume.
3. Next, do a two or three strand braid down one or both sides of your hair. Secure the braid(s) by criss-crossing two bobby pins to add edge to the style.
4. Finish by misting your hairstyle with strong-hold hairspray to keep it in place all night long.

If you would rather incorporate a mini bun or twist into your half-updo, you'll love how easy you can create the style using the Goody Bun Spiral and Mini Spin Pin, £5.49.

Do-it-yourself prom hairstyle #3: The updo

If you're going for the classic prom updo, there are tricks you can do to make it super easy to pull off at home. You don't want to end up with a "tiny little nub," so these tips will help create more drama and sophistication in your updo. Here's how to get the look :

1. To start, section your hair in half and pull both sections into two ponytails right next to each other. Secure it with an elastic.
2. Now curl your ponytail and backcomb each one. Spray a bit of hairspray. Start twisting each pony, and you'll see they will begin to wrap towards each other into a bun as you twist. Secure the bun using a few bobby pins.
3. Since you're using all of the width of your hair, it will look very cool because all of the little pieces are coming out. Spray with strong-hold hairspray to finish.

And headbands are perfect for a prom updo, since they add a trendy vibe to your look. Just slip it on and push it back from the forehead to lift volume back to the crown.

Do-it-yourself prom makeup look #1: Smoky eyes

The smoky eye is an easy and totally sexy way to do your makeup for prom. Here's how to get the "always classic" look:

1. Start by lining your eye with black liner (you can sweep it across the water line, as well as the outer rim of your upper and lower lash lines).
2. Then take a firm brush and smudge the pencil up onto the eyelid. Make sure you blend well.
3. Use a dark shadow to fill in your crease. Then sweep a medium-toned shadow over your lid, blending upward.

Curl your lashes, and coat them with a volumizing mascara to give yourself an eye-opening effect.

Do-it-yourself prom makeup look #2: Glam eyes

This is another gorgeous look for prom, which takes practice but creates a very sophisticated appeal. See how to get the look:

1. Start by sweeping on a jewel-toned shadow along your lids. Smudge it into your lower lash line as well for extra drama.
2. You'll want to curl your lashes and apply your mascara before you apply your liner. Make sure you get the mascara wand as close to the root as possible.
3. Use a liquid or gel liner to line your eyes. "Let the wand from the liner rest on your lashes and drag it along from the inside out" to create a winged tip, Stapleton says.

Finish by dabbing a bit of shimmery white shadow into the inner corner of your eyes to open them up.

Do-it-yourself prom makeup look #3: Bold lips

If you want to go with more natural eyes, you can also try bold lips to make a different kind of statement. See how to get the look:

1. Start by sketching around the perimeter of the lip with a neutral pencil (this will prevent your color from bleeding halfway through the night).
2. Dab some transparent powder over your lips to absorb any oil and prevent feathering.
3. Apply a bright lipstick in the color of your choice, and top with a dab of clear gloss for the finishing touch.

Pack an emergency clutch

You might be having way too much fun on the dance floor to care, but there will most likely be a few opportunities where you can touch up your look. So just in case that happens, you'll want to pack a few of these products, all highly recommended:

• Mini bobby pins. These are great for a small clutch or purse, and it's so quick and easy to put them in.
• A favorite anti-frizz cream. Put a little bit of it in a little container you can find at the craft store, and you can just instantly smooth out any flyaways throughout the night.
• A mini bottle of hairspray.
• A mini compact to check your lips and powder your nose.
• A black eye liner in case yours starts to run (or if you accidentally wipe it off like me).
• A lipstick and lipgloss for easy touch-ups.


Enjoy getting ready!