THE 5 PROM MAKEUP TRENDS YOU'RE ABOUT TO SEE EVERYWHERE

If, like us, you’ve been dragged into the wonderful world of prom videos on social media, you’ll know the occasion is no longer just about the dress. While our friends across the pond are particularly partial to high glamour and grand entrances (we’re loving the flashy cars and rolling red carpets), British prom tends to take a slightly more understated approach. But that doesn’t mean you need to play it safe. As the prom fashion landscape shifts beyond debutante dresses and into soft co-ords, boho-inspired silhouettes and even grunge, prom makeup is becoming just as expressive and reflective of personal style. If you haven’t yet nailed down your prom makeup look, get inspired by the 5 ideas below.

Tate McRae and Hailey Bieber are the celebrity poster girls for fresh-faced, glazed makeup – a key look of the 2020s. Soft pink cheeks, a seamless base and barely there lips are defining features of the trend. But how do you amp it up for prom – a night so important that many people remember it even at old age? Shimmer. Dab some silver or soft pink highlighter on your lips and eyelids to accentuate them and transition the look from day to night. This soft-glam look will complements any outfit too, from floral dresses to sharp tailoring.

 

GET THE LOOK:
01: Revolution Beam Bright Highlighter Pink Seduction, £7
02: Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter, £40
03: Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G Lipstick - Pillow Talk Fair, £29.50
04: Laura Mercier Real Flawless Weightless Perfecting Concealer, £29.50

Picking a prom dress colour (and committing to it) is a big deal, so why not carry your signature shade into your makeup, too? Take Cardi B’s Met Gala makeup as inspiration. The green eyeshadow echoes her emerald-green outfit, cementing the colour as the key focal point of her look. And if you’re going all-out for prom, look no further than Zara Larsson’s tour makeup. Blend multiple bright shades like pink, blue and orange, experiment with metallic eyeshadows and top off with rhinestones for some summer-ready appeal.

 

GET THE LOOK:
01: MAC Small Eyeshadow - Mint Condition, £20
02: Morphe Electric Currant 12-Pan Eyeshadow Palette, £22
03: Iconic London Illuminator Mini - Original, £12
04: In Your Dreams Pink Azalea Jewelled Chestpiece, £19

These days, celebrities are always referencing iconic A-listers of the past on the red carpet. Bella Hadid recently paid homage to Jane Birkin at Cannes, and we can’t count the number of celebs with Marilyn Monroe on their moodboards. And it’s not just their dresses – vintage-inspired makeup is just as rife. Think red lips, slick winged eyeliner and a soft, airbrushed base. Jennie Kim is a longtime lover of the old-school look. Recreate her look with brushed-up fluffy eyebrows, a subtly blurred lipliner and a warm-toned red lipstick instead of anything overly retro.

 

GET THE LOOK:
01: e.l.f. Wow Brow Gel, £7
02: Nars Natural Matte Longwear Foundation, £44
03: KIKO Milano x Just Cavalli Exclusive Lipstick, £18
04: KIKO Milano x Just Cavalli Exclusive Eyeliner, £14

Alysa Liu might be the coolest figure skater in the world right now, and her grunge aesthetic proves it isn’t exclusive to underground gigs and parties. If your prom look revolves around a darker dress or you’re going heavy on the silver jewellery, make like Alysa with a similarly edgy, intentionally imperfect makeup look. Work some black eyeshadow onto your lids, diffusing outwards – and don’t forget to apply any excess onto your lower lashline. A small amount of silver eyeshadow in the centre of your lid will bring some dimension into the mix, too. Stay subtle with your lip look – we love the soft touch of red Alysa brought to the red carpet.

 

GET THE LOOK:
01: KIKO Milano Water Eyeshadow - 22 Black, £12
02: MAC Dazzleshadow Liquid Eye Shadow Metallic- Silver Surfer, £22
03: Caudalie Tinted Lip & Cheek Conditioner - Sweet Raspberry, £9
04: Maybelline Lifter Liner Lip Liner with Hyaluronic Acid- Open Late, £6.99

If you’re unfamiliar with Douyin makeup, let us get you up to speed. It’s a popular Chinese makeup style, designed to give your features a doll-like look – with extra emphasis on the eyes. Douyin makeup is heavy on highlighter, shimmery eyeshadows and saturated colour, which makes it perfect for occasions like prom. Another key attribute of the aesthetic is contrast – let your shimmery eyeshadow stand out against a matte base. LISA wears Douyin makeup particularly well, with glittery eyes, pronounced aegyo-sal (the small pocket under your lower lashline) and dramatic, wispy eyelashes. Douyin makeup tends to steer clear of pink blushes in favour of peachier or redder shades, creating a ‘bitten cheek’ effect.

 

GET THE LOOK:
01: TIRTIR Mask Fit Aura Cushion Foundation, £26
02: Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Island Glow Lip & Cheek, £30
03: LANEIGE Juice Box Lip -Tint Pop-Star - Berry, £20
04: Too Faced Disco Crush High Shine Glitter Eye + Face Sparkle, £22