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!”
6. Exfoliate Ahead of Time
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.
7. Use a Face Mask
“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!”
8. Don’t Leave Beauty Treatments to the Last Minute
“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.”
9. Select Your Fake Lashes Beforehand
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.”
10. Use the Right Tools
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.”
11. Layer Your Blush
“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.”
12. Opt For Long-Lasting Lip Products
“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.”
