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Prom is like the queen of all school dances, and so of course, you want to show up and show off. With prom season upon us, you might find ourselves asking: What am I going to wear? Hair up or hair down? How should I wear my makeup? It’s best to face each of these questions one at a time. The great thing is that when it comes to prom makeup, you can create the perfect look to compliment your outfit right at home. In fact, you probably have everything you need in your makeup kit already.
Rather than just wing it, we've gathered tips from some pro makeup artists to give you a foundation to create your own prom makeup look. We also searched for specific prom makeup ideas to help give you inspo to recreate these looks – from no-makeup makeup to old Hollywood glam, there is something for everyone. Consider this your cheat sheet for all things prom makeup — all bases covered. Here we go!
Prom Makeup Tips
“Once you figure out what you’re wearing, you can start planning” says celebrity makeup artist Spencer Barnes. “This will inform the overall vibe and help you decide if the cut of your dress will work better with your hair up or down. When you know the color and style of your outfit, you can begin formulating a solid idea.”
Melissa Hernandez, makeup artist to stars like Sydney Sweeney and Lana Condor, adds, “My biggest tip when trying to find the right makeup look is to assess your overall ensemble — hair, makeup, clothes — and choose a focal point. If your outfit is a loud color or has busy embellishments, I recommend opting for a more subdued makeup look. However, if your outfit is on the simpler side, say for example a black mini dress, I recommend accessorizing by adding a smokey eye or a bold lip. Following this tip will ensure that your overall look feels elevated and balanced.”
“Start saving pictures of styles you like,” says celebrity makeup artist Jamie Greenberg, who works with Rashida Jones, Kaley Cuoco, and Alicia Silverstone. “You can make literal collages from magazines or do it electronically.” Indu co-founder and CEO, Reena Hammer, adds, “Create a moodboard – Pinterest is always super useful for this.” And finally, international makeup artist, Victoria Bond suggests referencing YouTube. “There are lots of major red carpet makeup artists on YouTube, [and] I recommend Hung Vanngo and Lisa Eldridge to pick up some extra tips.”
Hernandez suggests using social media, “If you’re having trouble deciding on a makeup look, utilize Pinterest to get inspired. There are tons of amazing content creators on the app that will encourage you to live out your prom makeup fantasy.”
“Before any big event, I recommend doing makeup tests, like makeup artists would before a shoot," says makeup artist Tonya Crooks. "A day before the event, do your entire makeup routine as you would for prom to make sure everything works together."
"Try testing your look with a flash photo before leaving to be sure that your makeup will look the way you hope it does in photos," Barnes says. "Make sure your body matches the tone of your face. Sometimes a little bronzer is necessary to warm the face and neck to match the body." Crooks agrees: "Take a picture with flash after you apply to make sure you don't get any flashback. Nothing is worse than looking fab in person, and realizing you're Casper on Instagram the next day.”
"Preparing your face and skin for your big day is so important. From exfoliating your skin to eliminate dryness and texture, to doing gua sha to help reduce puffiness and inflammation, and even adding a face mask and under eye patches to your prep – all of these extra steps will make you look perfect for your special night,” says celebrity makeup artist Jill Powell.
“Nothing too groundbreaking, but a little tip people often forget is to let the moisturizer sit on your skin for at least 15 minutes before applying any makeup,” says Crooks. “This will ensure the product is fully absorbed, and once your skin is hydrated, makeup will apply much more evenly and soak into the skin, creating an airbrushed effect!”
If you're willing to go a little further (but maybe not as intense as Cassie's 4 A.M. routine on Euphoria, of course), Hernandez suggests, “To ensure flawless, long-lasting makeup, it’s important to adequately prep your skin. Start by cleansing your face using your favorite cleanser and rinse using cold water. While your face is damp, use a gentle exfoliator to buff away dead skin cells and impurities from the surface of your skin. This will help create a smooth base for your makeup application. Next, saturate a cotton pad with toner and press it against your face to help calm, balance and plump the skin. Lastly, moisturize your face, under-eyes, and lips and make sure to stay hydrated!”
As Hernandez suggests, using a gentle exfoliator the day of prom is a good way to prep your face for makeup. The keyword there though is gentle. If you're going to do your full exfoliating routine to prep your skin for prom, it's best to do it ahead of time to avoid irritating your skin on the big day.
“When prepping your skin for a big event or a night of pictures, I like to start with a good exfoliation like the Bubble Deep Dive Exfoliating Mask, two days prior to your event. This will remove any dead skin, enhance smoothness and allow for moisture back into the pores," says celebrity makeup artist Denika Bedrossian who works with stars like Sarah Hyland and Vanessa Morgan.
“A face mask is a great idea a couple days before the big day,” says celebrity makeup artist Daniel Chinchilla. “You could even go get samples if you don't have the money to buy a mask. Try the Origins Charcoal Mask. It will help clean out your pores and give you soft skin. Healthy skin makes makeup look so much better!”
“Don't wait until the night of your event to do a major beauty treatment — like waxing, tweezing, peels, facials, self-tanning, or extractions — but do plan to do any treatments 3-5 days beforehand to ensure that your skin has calmed down and adjusted,” says Barnes. “It’s also a good idea to handle manis and pedis the day before, so you get to enjoy as much of your big night as possible.”
Even on the night, it is good to “allow yourself enough time,” suggests Hammer. “If that means 4 hours, then enjoy the process! You don’t want to feel rushed and [you don’t want] your makeup [to] not be exactly how you wanted."
If you want to elevate your look, Powell recommends false lashes. However, it is best to select the right ones for you beforehand. “I love using cluster lashes or a strip cut into clusters for an easier application. This will also make them look more natural and are way comfortable to wear especially for beginners. Lashify is a great alternative to traditional false lashes and gives the most beautiful natural effect as they are applied to the underside of your natural lash.”
Powell also confirms that “great makeup starts with the right tools.” She elaborates, “every teen should invest in a quality set of brushes that vary in size, density and shape — each tailored for a specific purpose. I love Sigma brushes because they are high quality, come in a huge range of options, and are available both individually and in sets. Must-haves to create a perfect look include a foundation brush, blush brush, contour brush, fluffy powder brush, angled brow and liner brush, flat eyeshadow brush, fluffy blending brush, and a small detail and smudge brush.” And speaking of tools, Reena suggests “stock[ing] up on Q tips – they’re a key tool in any makeup artist’s kit [and] they’re perfect for fixing any mistakes or smudges, for eyes and lips.”
"A trick to make your blush last is to layer cream and powder blushes," says celebrity makeup artist Vanessa Scali, whose clients include Christina Hendricks and Anna Kendrick. "This can add extra dimension and give the color more staying power. Remember to always use a translucent powder before applying powder blush. Otherwise, any dry or oily areas are going to grab the pigment of the colored powder resulting in uneven, blotchy application."
“Avoid using lipsticks that aren't long wearing,” says Chinchilla. “You don't want your lip color to run, and you don't want to have to worry about touching up all the time.”
Luckily, long-lasting options have been popular as of late. Lip tints and lip stains happen to be trending these days, especially on TikTok. The app has also given us plenty of recommendations including the viral e.l.f Glossy Lip Stain.
You can elevate your look with a few embellishments beyond makeup too. “Small butterfly temporary tattoos or stencils – these are things I would [add for] a beauty shoot, but [they] can look really pretty, minimal and an easy way to upscale [your makeup] look,” explains Bond. Not just temporary tattoos and stencils, but even a little sparkle can complete a makeup look!
“Apply lotion to your arms, decolletage, and legs — and dust on some subtle shimmer or bronzing powder for added definition, strobing, and dimension,” says Barnes. “This can also help keep your skin looking even and fresh.”
"Have fun and do what makes you comfortable," says Crooks. "This is YOUR prom night, so if you're scared by a lot of makeup, keep it simple! Conversely, if you want to be a disco ball of glitter that night, then go for it! Makeup always looks best when it looks authentic. Do what makes you happy, and you'll look great and have a fabulous time!"
If you have a long night of dancing ahead, Hernandez has the perfect tip to keep your makeup looking fresh while you have fun. “Once your makeup is complete, apply a thin veil of translucent setting powder onto a makeup puff and press it against your skin, making sure to cover the entire perimeter of your face. This veil will lock your complexion products into place for long-lasting coverage," she says.
“Lastly, why not get ready with a friend? Makeup should be fun, and it’s good to share ideas and skills,” says Bond. “One of you may be amazing at eyeliner and another at skin. It’s always good to have a wing girl!” Hammer also suggests a great playlist. “You want to set the mood for the night ahead, then you have the perfect soundtrack to get ready to.”
Prom Makeup Ideas and Inspiration
Prom night is the perfect reason to add a few new products to your shopping cart or try out different combinations of products you already have. The following are 21 looks that are totally prom-worthy to help give you some inspiration. Check out all the looks — from ethereal eyes to bold dark lips — and get tips on how to recreate them yourself.
Who doesn’t love a good smoky eye? For a formal prom makeup look like Kristen Stewart’s, apply the blackest black from your eyeshadow palette in the creases and outer corners of your eye, smudge black liner under the bottom lashes, and finish things off with a clean coat of black mascara. Keep the face super simple with a wash of concealer, a little bronzer, and a pinky-nude lip.
You can still get a bold look with neutral colors. Anitta’s bronze lip gives her an edge, while her brown smoky eye gives her a classic chic vibe. If you're really into the monochrome look, you can even join in on the auburn hair trend too.
Turn your prom entrance into your catwalk with a cat-eye liner makeup look. Pair the striking liner with a rosy flush like Elle Fanning to achieve a more vintage vibe. If you prefer a different cat eye, you can always try everyone’s favorite alternative: Rihanna's reverse cat eye.
Dove Cameron’s matte red lip is perfect for prom: It’s simple, it’s chic, and, best of all, it’s not sticky, so you can avoid the old hair-stuck-to-your-lips look. However, if matte isn't your style, you can channel Jisoo with a shiny red lip instead.
When in doubt, add a little glitter because a little glitter goes a long way when it comes to makeup. You can add a little shimmer to your eyes to create ethereal eyes or you can go full glitter goddess like Mikey Madison with glitter on your eyes and lips. The Anora team even dished the details that their go-to for creating her look was Rihanna’s Fenty Diamond Bomb.
Glitter is not your thing? No problem. Think metallic, shimmery, out-of-this-world shades and apply these to your eyelids to achieve an ethereal makeup look. If you don’t want full ethereal eyes, you can apply a little shimmer to only the inner corners of the eyes and a little underneath the eyes like BLACKPINK’s Jisoo. And lucky for us, Makeup by Mario already has an “ethereal eyes” eyeshadow palette!
If you really want to stand out, consider paring down. A simple prom makeup look can have the full effect. With a bit of mascara, a small eyeliner wing, blended out lipstick, and glowing skin, Olivia Rodrigo shows us exactly how it’s done.
Contrast can be the key to a look — as Dua Lipa proved in this powdery light blue shadow. For lighter shadows, apply them to your entire lid and go for a slightly lighter or even a white shade in the inner corners to make your eyes look bigger and brighter. Finish things off with a nude lip and you’re good to go.
According to the annual Pinterest Predicts report, cherry is going to be one of the hottest colors of this year. The cherry on top is that when opting for cherry lips, there are various possibilities – from riper reds to wine-stained tints. If you don’t know where to start, Fenty Beauty has the Treatz Hydrating + Strengthening Lip Oil in both Barbados Cherry and Black Cherry shades. You can also take inspo from Wicked’s Marissa Bode and Lancôme’s global ambassador and pop superstar Olivia Rodrigo.
Opting for a bold lip can be the perfect excuse to go lighter on the eyes. Take some inspo from Elizabeth Olsen and go for some light eye makeup to complete the look instead.
Be ready for professional photographers and selfie cams alike with lightly contoured cheeks, penciled in brows, and long lashes like Camila Cabello. This is the ultimate movie star look. Just make sure to practice. It'll be a good time to try out some TikTok-viral products like the Tarte Sculpt Tape and hacks like Selena Gomez's.
A no-makeup makeup look for prom can still be really elegant, so if you don't typically wear makeup, don’t feel pressured to go all out. A little highlight and a simple swipe of mascara (like Kaci Walfall sports here) can help you feel fancy enough. Practice at home (with tips from her makeup artist) until you figure out what you feel most comfortable with. Come prom night, you’ll be pro!
Trust us on this one — purple lipstick is way easier to wear than it looks. It flatters every skin tone, gives you an excuse to go lighter on the eyes, and always turns heads. Just look at Úrsula Corberó! Still skeptical? What if we told you that you can keep it low maintenance by opting for a lip tint like rom&nd's Plum Coke so you don't have to reapply throughout the night? Or keep it subtle with a blurred, matte look using Peripera's Mauve-Holic.
If you're more bold than sweet, maybe the eighties revival makeup look is for you. Bright, vibrant eyeshadows, heavy blush, and extra drama on the lashes. If you want full ‘80s glam, draw inspiration from Chappell Roan.
At the Grammys 2025, Taylor Swift went for bold red lips to match her custom Vivienne Westwood mini red dress. You can do the same and match your makeup to your prom dress for a cohesive look. Plus, you can match your earrings too (just like Tay)!
Prom is the perfect night to pucker up and what is more romantic than lips that scream '90s rom-com nostalgia? The soft, smudged, matte, and just-kissed rom-com lips are trending and effortless to recreate. Ditch the defined lip liner, and mix creamy tender pink blushes and rosy tinted balms. Refer to BLACKPINK’s Jennie for inspiration.
“Thin brows are trending again, which leads me to believe we may be seeing heavily lined eyes and lips! Think Pamela Anderson and Christina Aguilera circa 1998,” Hernandez says. Lily Rose-Depp rocking a high-contrast nude lip liner and a matching smoky eye is the inspo we needed to take this look to prom.
Another trend from the ‘90s that’s trending is the ultra glossy lip. It's an easy and simple way to make your prom makeup shine. If you don't already have a go-to in your makeup cabinet or you want to try something new for prom, you can find Teen Vogue editors' favorite lip glosses here.
Who needs caffeine on prom night when you can dance the night away with your milk tea lips? Just mix light brown and pinkish undertone lipstick shades. The options are limitless, and thanks to the neutral tone of the viral lips, they will complement a wide range of makeup styles. Just look at BLACKPINK’s Lisa at the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscars Party, and here are Teen Vogue’s picks for cutest milk tea lip shades.
Getting all dolled up for prom, literally. The doll makeup aesthetic is all about going heavy on the blush (luckily, blush combos are having a moment), white gel liners, and mascara on your bottom eyelashes. Sabrina Carpenter has been serving her signature dollcore glam and even shared her blush combo, which of course went viral.
Avoid getting flashback in your prom photos by opting for a soft matte look like Wonyoung. This look is perfect for a special occasion like prom because it's practical, but it's also super trendy on TikTok right now. Just prime the skin with a matte, blurring primer like Glow Recipe's Blur Drops and apply a thin layer of matte foundation with a foundation brush, sponge, or spatula if you'd like a really subtle look.
