High school prom is one of the most anticipated events in the life of a student. It’s so exciting because of the glamor, the formal attire, your date, the dancing and all the glorious festivities. However, you can end up dreading it if you find yourself totally unprepared for prom. There’s so much to think about: your hair, makeup, nails, dress or suit, and what you need to bring with you – and you just don’t know where to start. Thankfully, I’ve got some tips to help get you started, and to get you excited for your big night!
The Attire
As we all know, prom is a formal event, but don’t let that become a restriction. While most everyone will be in a formal suit/tux or a ritzy dress, there’s still lots of wiggle room to express your personality.
For the ladies: As much as your dress is an investment, the ability to save while getting the dress of your dreams is an important one to have. This is why I love Lulu’s prom selection, as many of their dresses are $100 or under, and they look as if they had a much heftier price tag. There’s something for every type of gal there, whether you’re into glam, boho, classy, princess, simple or elegant, you’ll find your favorite dress there. Like this showstopper one-shoulder maxi dress, or this dreamy and flowy purple backless one. Or for those opting for something more unique, you’ll like this flowers and cream wrap dress, or this flowing boho-esque one that comes in pure white or navy blue. Look for the one that you can’t live without, and you’ll know you’ve found the perfect one for you.
For the guys: Like it is for the ladies, your prom attire is an investment, but not one that should leave you penniless. Whether buying or renting, Men’s Wearhouse is a great place to find the perfect suit. They have a great selection of tuxedos, like this classic Calvin Klein black tux (available in a rental package!). There’s also plenty of dinner jackets available for a more unique look, like this paisley check dinner jacket, or this attention-grabbing white slim fit. The prom packages are incredibly valuable for what you get with the rental, and they offer a live-chat service to help you make sure that every handsome detail is perfect for prom night.
The Hair, Makeup and Nails
Besides the dress, these are the most important details to nail down before the big night. That means that you should have your appointments set up well before prom, to ensure that you reserve your spot. If you’re shopping for ideas, look around online for some examples of your favorite style. Celebrities are great people to follow when it comes to current looks! When getting your hair done, bring a few ideas with you to go over with your stylist, as they’ll be able to help you pick the perfect style. The same is true if you’re having your makeup and nails done by a professional, you’ll want to make sure you get what you love! If you’re doing your styling on your own or with your friends, make sure you practice at least a few times beforehand, so you can make certain the result is gorgeous.
Your Skin
It’s an important detail, and one you’ll want to be thinking about for the whole month before prom, at least. You probably already have a skin care regiment, but you’ll want to really up your game in the weeks before the big night. Make sure to exfoliate and moisturize daily, and be vigilant to take care of any pimples and zits if they come up. It’s also important not to try any new products right before prom, as you might have a reaction or complication with it that you won’t be able to get over soon enough. Make sure to tweeze your brows to match, and if you’re getting them waxed, schedule a few days ahead, so that you won’t show up with any redness. All of this preparation will ensure you’re glowing for your big night!
The Prom Bag
Here’s the short list for all the necessities to put in your prom bag, in case of any emergencies: breath mints, dental floss, safety pins, a stain stick, and travel-sized deodorant. You’ll want those safety pins just in case you have any sort of wardrobe malfunctions, and the dental floss will get rid of any stubborn leftovers in your teeth. You’ll want to skip the gum and get the breath mints, as prom isn’t really a gum-chewing event. The deodorant is a must, and the smaller, purse-sized ones can be found at any drugstore, and they’ll last you the whole night. And the stain stick could be a life saver to take care of any mishaps – Tide to Go is a perfect option for your go bag. It pays to be prepared!
The Pictures
Your pictures are what you’ll remember your prom night by. They allow you to step back and get an outside perspective, and you’ll want it to match the magical memories you’ll make. It’s important to plan these pictures ahead so you can achieve just that, and so that you can get all of your lovely friends in the shot with you. Look for somewhere with a great atmosphere, and plan a time for everyone, parents included, to gather for pictures. It’ll be a special moment captured forever, so make sure it’s one that you want to last!
All in all, the most important tip I have for you is this: enjoy yourself! Prom is the party that celebrates all of your hard work, and you deserve to love every minute of it. Any amount of preparation takes stress off of your shoulders, and gives you more time to focus on taking in the whole night. It’ll be one to remember, and you deserve it!
