Makeup for Prom
Makeup is an art form. Like all art, how it looks depends on factors such as the light and the environment around it. So when you want to apply makeup for prom, there are a few things to consider before you even begin.
Your Personal Coloring
Color is powerful:
Wearing the wrong colors will make you look tired and washed out. Imperfections in skin tone and color will become more apparent, and hair will look duller. Your teeth and the whites of your eyes will look dingy. Your overall appearance will be less vibrant when you wear colors that clash with your natural coloring.
Wearing the right colors will enhance your natural beauty. Skin will appear smoother and hair will look shinier. Your teeth and the whites of your eyes will appear brighter. You'll look more vibrant as the natural color in your lips, cheeks, skin and hair is brought out.
For the most flattering look, always wear clothing and makeup that is harmonious with your natural coloring. There are two basic things to understand:
1. Intensity - It's usually easy to see if your coloring is light/fair/low contrast, or dark/intense/high contrast.
For example, someone with black hair and dark brown eyes has dark, intense coloring. (Generally, women with Asian, Hispanic, or African heritage have this type of coloring.) Someone with light blond hair and light blue eyes has light, fair coloring. People with intense coloring sometimes have high contrast between their hair/eyes and their skin. On people with fair coloring, the hair, eyes, and skin often tend to blend together.
light/fair/low contrast
dark/intense/high contrast
Generally, you'll look best if you wear colors (in both clothing and makekup) that match the intensity of your natural coloring. That is, if you have dark, intense coloring in your skin, eyes, and hair, you'll look best in colors that are likewise intense. If you wear light, fair colors, they won't "stand up" to your natural coloring. If your coloring is light and fair, you'll look best in colors that are less intense. If you wear dark, intense colors, they'll tend to overwhelm your natural coloring.
2. Undertones - The next thing to understand is if your coloring has cool (pink) or warm (yellow) undertones.
Sometimes undertones are obvious and easy to see. For example, someone whose natural hair color is red has warm undertones. Someone whose natural hair color is blond (not strawberry blond) generally has cool undertones. Women of Asian, Hispanic, or African heritage almost always have cool undertones.
If you have cool undertones, you should wear makeup and clothing in colors that are also cool; if you have warm undertones, you should wear makeup and coloring in colors that are also warm. Wearing colors opposite of your natural coloring will wash you out and make you look harsh, because those colors are not harmonious with your natural coloring.
Probably the best way to learn if your undertones are cool or warm is to have a professional color analysis. Once you know if your undertones are cool or warm, you will understand what colors will be most flattering to you, both in clothing and in makeup.
The Color You are Wearing Next to Your Face
I once applied makeup on a woman who was wearing pale yellow. The makeup looked good on her, and we were both pleased. Then she changed into a bright red shirt. The makeup no longer looked good; with the more intense color next to her face, the makeup appeared to fade away. It immediately became obvious that she needed a brighter lipstick and more blush when she wore the brighter color.
Similarly, I once did a makeover on a woman who had beautiful, intense auburn hair (which indicates warm, intense coloring). We had applied warm red lipstick and autumn-colored blush. It looked great. But when we held pale purple up to her face (which is a cool, muted color), the lipstick and blush "disappeared" and her face went white.
So, remember that makeup is affected by the environment around it. Part of that environment is the color(s) you are wearing right up next to your face. Those colors will have a great effect on how your makeup actually looks. If you are wearing more intense colors, you may need to apply more intense makeup and vice versa.
That's why it's helpful to put on the clothes you're going to be wearing before you apply your makeup. This will help you to see how your makeup is really going to look.
Light
Another important thing to consider is the light the makeup will be worn in. Light may range from bright daylight to candlelight. And light makes a tremendous difference in how makeup looks.
Generally speaking, brighter light is less flattering than more muted light. Bright, direct sunlight will show imperfections more readily. Bright light tends to wash out color. It can be very unforgiving, especially if your makeup isn't blended carefully. If you will be in bright light, apply makeup lightly and carefully.
On the other hand, muted light is more flattering. (Candlelight is the most flattering of all.) Muted light is more forgiving, because imperfections tend to fade away.
Muted light also gives you more leeway in makeup application. As the light dims, your features will tend to blur, and your makeup will also dim. That's why you can apply makeup more heavily when you'll be in more muted light. Makeup that looks great in daylight will fade away in candlelight. Makeup that looks great in candlelight will look overdone in daylight.
Bright vs Dark Light
Because light has such a big effect on how makeup looks, try to apply your makeup in the same light in which the makeup will be worn. Remember - the more muted the light, the more intense the makeup can be and still look good.
Preparing to Put on Your Makeup
There are a couple of things you should always do before you put on makeup for prom.
1. Always cleanse your face. The last thing you want to do is put your makeup on over a layer of dirt and impurities, sealing them in.
2. Always moisturize. This will help your makeup go on much better. You won't have to pull and tug to apply foundation and eyeshadow; your makeup will go on more smoothly; and it will look more even and natural.
And remember, it's helpful to put on the clothes you'll be wearing, to help you know the colors and the intensity of makeup to apply.
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