As you step into this memorable evening, your prom makeup isn't just about coverage and color—it's a way to showcase your individuality. 

Each tip in this guide is meant to help you enhance your natural features so you can play up your look. From achieving a flawless base to selecting the perfect lip shade, these will guide you through creating a look that complements your personality and prom attire. 

1. Prep Your Skin for a Flawless Base

A makeup look that you’re excited to wear (and that won’t slip off your face as you take to the dance floor) begins with the healthy skin that you’ve taken care of, so your skincare routine sets the tone for your entire look. A moisturizer is a cornerstone of this—but first you have to get familiar with your skin type. Is it oily? Dry? Combination? Or what could be called “normal”? (This last one just means you don’t have any major concerns you have to work to stay on top of or correct. Not oily, not dry.)

If you have oily skin, you still need to moisturize. A good option in that case is our Oil–Free Moisturizer, which is specially suited to those who worry about a slick appearance and the blemishes that can come with that. Bonus: It’s formulated with niacinamide, which regulates sebum production (which contributes to breakouts) and brightens dark spots.  

Those with dry skin, especially if it’s irritated from medications or being out in the sun, will take to Miracle Cream. Packed with shea butter, which can soothe and calm sensitive skin, it offers our most intense nourishment and can be used as an overnight mask as well.

The combination and normal skin types will take to Light Moisture Cream—another number with niacinamide. It’s not too heavy, not too light. It offers just the right amount of everyday moisture.

2. Strike a Balance With Your Outfit

The interplay between your makeup and outfit on prom night is important. You want a look that balances out your look's colors, textures, and styles rather than clashing or competing. It’s about striking the right balance. 

If you’ve planned an outfit where the aim is understated elegance, using bolder makeup shades can provide a striking contrast that brings your entire look to life. On the flip side, if your dress is a kaleidoscope of colors or intricate designs, a more subdued, neutral makeup palette can harmonize without competing for attention. 

It's all about creating a visual synergy that enhances your overall appearance. When considering this balance, think about how each element of your makeup interacts with your outfit. 

3. Find Coverage That’s Just Right

This is a highly anticipated occasion and no doubt you’ve been planning your makeup for a while. Enjoy the moment to have fun and try something dramatic, but let’s start with coverage that brings out your natural radiance.

We recommend applying foundation only where you need it—to cover unevenness, basically. For that we suggest our What the Foundation, a tinted moisture balm that enhances, and doesn’t mask, your natural tone and texture. Plus, the coverage is buildable so it’s easy to control where exactly you want to put it. 

The inclusion of jojoba oil and sodium hyaluronate hydrates and nourishes while providing coverage, ensuring your skin looks and feels hydrated. Because it’s so moisturizing, you may find you can skip the moisturizer, depending on your skin type. Another perk: You’ll look naturally dewy and fresh-faced, not shiny.  

Here’s another option, too: Gel Bronzer. Featuring shea butter, our lightweight tint warms your skin, mimicking the look of returning from vacation. To sheer out the luminosity, you can cut this with your moisturizer of choice.  

4. Light Up With a Subtle Shimmer

Once you’ve taken care of coverage, our Shimmer Face Oil will provide an ethereal glow for a natural dewiness that complements but never overpowers your complexion.

This oil is more than just a highlighter. It's a nourishing elixir that enriches your skin with a blend of nine luxurious oils. When applied, it doesn't just sit on your skin but melds with it for a glass-like finish. 

5. Accentuate Your Eyes

Continue the glimmer without overdoing it by adding a wash of highlighting color on your eyes and finishing with eyeliner for definition.

This combination can be as subtle as you like—just use a steady, light hand—or you can dial it up by layering on more. 

For the lids, there are two options we have in mind, and it depends on the intensity you’re going for. Looking for a lighter moment? Reach for Just A Sec, a powder yet cushiony eyeshadow that lends a touch of shimmer, easily applied with a brush of your finger. For more radiance, Sparkle Wash is glittery wattage in a wand. (In other words, this is more potent and dimensional.)

From here, line your eyes with The Best Pencil. It’s easy to add a precise, thin line for almost imperceptible definition or add a thicker line and smudge with your fingers. This is a super versatile tool, and it’s a must-have in any makeup kit.

6. Sculpt and Define Your Brows

Eyebrows play a pivotal role in defining your facial features. On days when you’re feeling less than put-together, a cleaned-up brow can make you feel that more polished.

And for a night like prom when you’re going to be photographed, a tidy brow goes far. If you want to define your natural brows a bit, enter The Brow Pencil.

Follow with The Brow Gel, brushing up and out to add color to any sparse patches and uniformity. 

7. Now for the Lips

If you’ve put a lot of effort and attention into your eyes, then you'll want a more subdued or muted lip. You've heard the idea that you should do up the eyes or the lips, not both—and that's a guideline we like to follow. Too much color or shine on both can overwhelm or distract you (no one wants to be worried about the upkeep). and both the eyes and lips are areas that may, depending on the product, require some touch-ups.

With that in mind, there are a couple of low-maintenance approaches we recommend.

The Lip Pencil + Cool Gloss in Original:

An all-over neutral (one that matches the natural color of your lips as much as possible) topped with a layer of shine never misses. It’s simple and stunning, even if you’ve opted not to do a major eye. 

Cool Gloss in a poppy pink:

Pink is a color for everyone, and the always shiny, never tacky Cool Gloss comes in a few variations that fit the bill. It’s lightweight so you won’t be distracted by that feeling, familiar to so many of us, of a sticky, smeary mouth.

Prom Perfection

Your prom night is a celebration of not just a rite of passage but of your individuality and style. By following these beauty tips and incorporating our versatile and nourishing products into your routine, you're set to create a look that enhances your natural beauty and resonates with who you are. 

Makeup is a powerful tool for self-expression, and on this special night, it should reflect your personality, complement your style, and amplify your confidence. As you step into this memorable evening, remember that the most beautiful thing you can wear is your confidence. 

Let your unique beauty shine, and let your confidence illuminate the night!