If you are looking for prom makeup ideas, you've come to the right place. The arrival of spring means prom season is in full swing, which means it's time to start nailing down the details slowly but surely.
Prom is like the queen of all school dances, and so, of course, you want to show up and show off. If you are already in full prom prep mode, you might find yourself asking, “What am I going to wear? Hair up or hair down? How should I wear my makeup?” It’s best to face each of these questions one at a time. The great thing is that with prom makeup, you can create the perfect look to complement your outfit right at home. In fact, you probably have everything you need in your makeup kit already.
Rather than just winging it, we've gathered tips from some pro makeup artists to give you a foundation to create your own prom makeup look, and we have also searched for specific prom makeup ideas to give you inspo for recreating these looks—from soft glam to old Hollywood glam, there is something for everyone. Consider this your cheat sheet for all things prom makeup—all bases covered. Here we go!
Prom Makeup Ideas and Inspiration
Prom night is the perfect reason to add a few new products to your shopping cart or try different combinations of the ones you already have. The following 28 looks are totally prom-worthy and will give you some inspiration. Check out all the looks—from ethereal eyes to bold dark lips—and get tips on how to recreate them yourself.
Who doesn’t love a good smoky eye? We certainly do! If you want a classic but edgy look for your formal prom makeup, why not take a page from Alysa Liu's signature look? The star has taken her signature smoky eye from the ice rink to the red carpet, which makes it a best-of-both-worlds option for prom. Apply the blackest black eyeshadow or stick shadow to the creases and outer corners of your eye, smudge black liner under the bottom lashes, and finish things off with a clean coat of black mascara. Keep the face super simple with a little bronzer and a nude lip. Liu herself has shared the exact products for her signature eye, which you can find below.
If you love the idea of a smoky eye, but black is too extreme, and you don't want to go the color route, this subtle gray smoky eye from Taylor Swift, crafted by MUA Lorrie Turk, might be all the inspo you need. Find your perfect shade of gray, and do a light wash over your lids and smudge it out.
Of course, you are going to want to feel golden during prom night, and if you want to make it literal, it could be as simple as adding a pop of gold to your makeup like Leah Sava Jeffries did for the premiere of Percy Jackson and the Olympians. As her MUA Renée Loiz shared, this golden eye look was achieved with a mix of Make Up Forever’s gold shade from the Artist Color Palette, Danessa Myricks’s Colorfix Liquid Metals in Gilded, and Pat McGrath’s Gold 001 shadow, but for a simpler version you could focus on the eyebrow highlight with the latter or use your favorite gold eyeshadow, highlighter, or reflector as an eyeshadow.
If you are not a gold type of person, then bronze is also a good way to still get a bold look while leaning towards more neutral colors, and this Zendaya look by Nikki_Makeup is the perfect proof. If you're really into the monochrome look, you can even join in on the auburn hair trend, too.
Turn your prom entrance into your catwalk with a cateye. You can put your own twist on it like The Summer I Turned Pretty's Lola Tung. Instead of the classic flick, bring it up from your lower lash line for a reverse take. Pair the striking liner with a rosy lip and little else to achieve a more vintage vibe.
Ariana Greenblatt’s matte dark red lip, created by Jennifer Luney Tioseco, is perfect for prom: It’s simple, it’s chic, and, best of all, it’s not sticky, so you can avoid the old hair-stuck-to-your-lips look. Do it like her and add a wash of pink blush to your cheeks, and keep your eye look simple with spiky lashes for maximum effect.
If a classic brick red like Greenblatt’s is not your cup of tea, then a deeper plum like this Old Hollywood take from Selena Gomez might be more up your alley. Plum lipstick is way easier to wear than it looks. It flatters every skin tone, gives you an excuse to go lighter on the eyes, and always turns heads. Hung Vanngo shared the specific shade he used on Gomez, and it was a mix of his own products: the Longwear Lip Liner in Above the Line and the Creamy Matte Lipstick in New York Red. But you don't have to mix two products for a similar effect. In fact, what if we told you that you can keep it low maintenance by opting for a lip tint like rom&nd's Plum Coke so you don't have to reapply throughout the night? Or keep it subtle with a blurred, matte look using Peripera's Mauve-Holic.
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If none of the above are your thing, then a classic red is always a good idea—the cherry on top, if you will. If you don’t know where to start, you can take inspo from Wicked’s Marissa Bode and Lancôme’s global ambassador and pop superstar Olivia Rodrigo.
If red is not for you and you don't want to go full pink, then you might want to look into magenta lipsticks, like this one from Willow Smith. It's the perfect in between to make enough of a statement and keep the rest of the look simple without going over the top. The best part? You can use a lip and cheek stain to make sure your look is perfectly rounded—two birds!
Contrast can be the key to a look, as Chase Infiniti proved with this statement shadow look, crafted by MUA Amber D., to match her midnight dress. Amber D. shared that she used the Louis Vuitton LV Ombres eyeshadow palette in #950 Sky is the limit. Feel free to go with the color that best complements your outfit and finish things off with a nude lip for balance.
An almost no-makeup makeup look for prom can still be really elegant, so if you don't typically wear makeup, don’t feel pressured to go all out. A nude lip and a simple swipe of mascara (like Olivia Rodrigo sports here) can help you feel fancy enough. Rodrigo's MUA, Melissa Hernandez, shared that she used Lancôme's Lip Idôle Lip Shaper 33 and Lip Idôle Butterglow 30 for her lips, the Blush Subtil in 500 Ôh La La Pink and 600 I Don't Give A F*uchsia, and Lash Idôle Curl Goddess Mascara for this look.
At the Grammys 2025, Taylor Swift went for bold red lips to match her custom Vivienne Westwood mini red dress. Marsai Martin did the same in chocolate brown at the 2026 Oscars. And you can do the same and match your makeup to your prom dress for a cohesive look. Plus, you can match your accessories too, like them!
You can lean fully into the '90s vibes with it all, or channel Myha'la Herrold and anchor your look with ultra thin brows. If you are committing, we suggest going to a professional but if you want the look for one night only, concealer and a good eyebrow pencil should do the trick.
Another ‘90s makeup trend that’s coming back and is perfect for prom is the ultra-glossy lip. It's a simple way to make your prom makeup shine.
If you want something classic and simple, getting all dolled up for prom, literally, is also on trend. The doll makeup aesthetic is all about going heavy on the pink, both in your makeup and in your look, to look like a doll or princess come to life, just like Lisa at the Emmys 2025.
If you like the ‘60s-inspired exaggerated lower eyeliner trend, then Rei Ami’s floating bottom lashes might be your perfect prom makeup inspo. Crafted by Tami El Sombati, this look is edgy and avant-garde, yet relatively simple, ensuring all eyes are on you during prom. You can go for falsies or create a trompe l'oeil with a fine-tip eyeliner.
Faux freckles might be an everyday staple, but they can also have a place at prom. Both Mckenna Grace and Hailey Bieber have graced some of the world's most elite red carpet donning faux freckles, so if you want to channel the sunkissed cutesy look, you can certainly do so at prom as well.
If you want your prom makeup to look super soft and ethereal, then consider feathered light brows like Jennie's. The difference between the lighter brows and the pinkish lip creates a subtle contrast that pairs well with almost any outfit.
You can never go wrong with a classic glowy glam look like this one from Simone Ashley for prom. Created by Alex Babsky, the star's ultra-glowy base is thanks to the Lumi Glotion All-in-One Glow Enhancer, which retails for only $18.
If you have been loving a subtle statement, then you might want to rock subtly overlined lips to prom and keep the rest of your look simple. Beloved by the likes of Hailey Bieber, this style creates a soft and romantic flair that looks great with a soft blush.
If you don't want subtlety, then an ombré classic overlip à la KATSEYE's Lara will make you you don't go unnoticed. Go for brown and pink for a classic mix.
For somewhere in between, take a page from Chappel Roan's book and subtly overline your cupid's bow and lower lip only to create a sharper look.
If you have been obsessed with Nina Park's blurred lips makeup style as of late, then that's your sign to channel the style for prom, just like Rosé at Paris Fashion Week. If you are new to aesthetic, try the fwee Blurry Pudding Pot for a simpler one-and-done take.
Make a statement during prom night, channeling Coco Jones and this major coral blush moment. We might associate a bright blush with the daytime, but as Zara Larsson has proven, they work just as well for nighttime.
Yerin Ha's iridescent soft blush by Iván Gómez has been living in our minds rent-free since she wore it in Madrid, and it's a perfect twist on the classic pink blush. If you want to recreate the look for prom, try a shimmery powder blush like the Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter from Fenty Beauty or the Dior Forever Glow Luminizer.
An unexpected color combination is pink and gray, but as this look from BLACKPINK's Jisoo proves, it works. Opt for a pink gloss and pink blush, and contrast them with gray eyeshadow for a feminine look with an edge that will work perfectly with any black outfit.
Just because it's prom, you don't need to lean into the pink and blush. You can also take a page from Olivia Dean's book and seemingly skip the blush for a bronzy look. It will give off a more summery vibe, which is perfect if your prom is later in the season. Her MUA, Celia Burton, shared that the combo she used for her look is a mix of blushes Vision and Future from Hourglass.
If you want your eyes to pop during prom night, channel Sabrina Carpenter and add a pop of white eyeliner (and maybe also a little bit of eyeshadow) to create the illusion for your big night. MUA Carolina Gonzalez uses this trick to make the star's eye makeup go from 10 to 100.
Prom makeup tips from the pros
Now that you have plenty of inspiration, it's time to make a plan ahead of time to ensure everything goes smoothly on the big day. Below, experts share their best tips to make sure your makeup turns out just how you want for prom.
“Once you figure out what you’re wearing, you can start planning,” says celebrity makeup artist Spencer Barnes. “This will inform the overall vibe and help you decide if the cut of your dress will work better with your hair up or down. When you know the color and style of your outfit, you can begin formulating a solid idea.” Of course, you can also work in reverse and pick an outfit based on the makeup you want to try, if that's your priority.
Melissa Hernandez, makeup artist to stars like Olivia Rodrigo and Lana Condor, adds, “My biggest tip when trying to find the right makeup look is to assess your overall ensemble—hair, makeup, clothes—and choose a focal point. If your outfit is a loud color or has busy embellishments, I recommend opting for a more subdued makeup look. However, if your outfit is on the simpler side, say, for example, a black mini dress, I recommend accessorizing by adding a smoky eye or a bold lip. Following this tip will ensure that your overall look feels elevated and balanced.”
“If you’re having trouble deciding on a makeup look, utilize Pinterest to get inspired. There are tons of amazing content creators on the app that will encourage you to live out your prom makeup fantasy," Hernandez says, echoing the advice of many of the other pros. “Start saving pictures of styles you like,” says celebrity makeup artist Jamie Greenberg, who works with Rashida Jones, Kaley Cuoco, and Alicia Silverstone. Indu co-founder and CEO, Reena Hammer, adds, “Create a moodboard—Pinterest is always super useful for this.”
You can also go analog. Check out some magazines for looks you love. If you find a bunch, you can cut the pics out and place them on a board, which is a great way to map out your vision and the vibe you want.
For step by step tutorials, check out YouTube, TikTok and Instagram where creators like Pony and Smitha Deepak, for example, share videos that demonstrate how to do each part of the look. You'll probably pick up a few tricks for your everyday makeup too
Once you have a style (or a couple) in mind, the safest way to ensure your makeup will work on prom night is to test it beforehand. “Before any big event, I recommend doing makeup tests, like makeup artists would before a shoot," says makeup artist Tonya Crooks. "Before the event, do your entire makeup routine as you would for prom to make sure everything works together."
Once you know the look works, the next step is to make sure it translates well on camera. Prom is a night you'll want to look back on later in life, so the last thing you want is for a flashback to ruin it. To make sure your look is photo proof, once you have done your makeup test make sure to ask someone to take photos of it with the flash on, or do it yourself with the back camera and a timer.
"Try testing your look with a flash photo before leaving to be sure that your makeup will look the way you hope it does in photos," Barnes says. “Make sure your body matches the tone of your face. Sometimes a little bronzer is necessary to warm the face and neck to match the body.” Crooks agrees and adds, "Take a picture with flash after you apply to make sure you don't get any flashback. Nothing is worse than looking fab in person, and realizing you're Casper on Instagram the next day.”
Celebrity makeup artist Jill Powell, who has worked with the likes of Sabrina Carpenter and Demi Lovato, sas that “preparing your face and skin for your big day is so important.” If your skin is used to a little more or you want to give yourself the total spa treatment, she adds, “From exfoliating your skin to eliminate dryness and texture, to doing gua sha to help reduce puffiness and inflammation, and even adding a face mask and under-eye patches to your prep—all of these extra steps will make you look perfect for your special night.” However, you're not meant to do this all at once. To ensure you don't upset your skin right before prom, start prepping early
For those who exfoliate, you want to give your skin time to regenerate a little. 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.
As mentioned before, hydration is key when prepping for prom, and one way you can pack it in is by using face masks or sheet masks you know and love in the days leading up to prom. “A face mask is a great idea a couple of 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!” But again, simplicity is key! Don't go overboard!
On prom day, you should focus on just the basics. Your routine may be as simple as a cleanser and moisturizer, but it's still effective.
“Nothing too groundbreaking, but a little tip people often forget is to let the moisturizer sit on your skin for at least 15 minutes before applying any makeup,” says Crooks. “This will ensure the product is fully absorbed, and once your skin is hydrated, makeup will apply much more evenly and soak into the skin, creating an airbrushed effect.”
You don't want to leave anything to the last minute when it comes to your beauty prep. “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 three to five 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 four 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."
If you want to elevate your look, Powell recommends false lashes for prom night. 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 be way more 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.” In addition to doing your makeup test run, it might be worth trying falsies a few times, so you can get the application process down, get used to wearing them, and pick what suits you best.
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 wide 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.”
"A trick to make your blush last is to layer cream and powder blushes," says celebrity makeup artist Vanessa Scali. "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."
“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.” Luckily, long-lasting options have been popular lately. Lip tints and lip stains are trending these days, especially on TikTok. The app has also given us plenty of recommendations, including the viral e.l.f Glossy Lip Stain.
You can elevate your look with a few embellishments beyond makeup, too. “Small butterfly temporary tattoos or stencils–these are things I would [add for] a beauty shoot, but [they] can look really pretty, minimal and an easy way to upscale [your makeup] look,” explains Bond. Not just temporary tattoos and stencils, but even a little sparkle can complete a makeup look! If you want a Y2K flair, rhinestone tattoos à la Hailey Bieber are the best of both worlds.
While your face glam is undoubtedly the focus, if your outfit permits, you can also get creative with body makeup. “Apply lotion to your arms, decolletage, and legs—and dust on some subtle shimmer or bronzing powder for added definition, strobing, and dimension,” says Barnes. “This can also help keep your skin looking even and fresh.” If you want to take it one step further, you can opt for body shimmer like BLACKPINK's Jennie.
Ultimately, your prom makeup look should make you feel great in your own skin, so ignore the trends and go with what feels best. "Have fun and do what makes you comfortable," says Crooks. "This is your prom night, so if you're scared of a lot of makeup, keep it simple! Conversely, if you want to be a disco ball of glitter that night, then go for it! Makeup always looks best when it looks authentic. Do what makes you happy, and you'll look great and have a fabulous time!"
We talked about using long-lasting lip products, but you also want to make sure your glam doesn't melt off. If you have a long night of dancing ahead, Hernandez has the perfect tip to keep your makeup looking fresh while you have fun. “Once your makeup is complete, apply a thin veil of translucent setting powder onto a makeup puff and press it against your skin, making sure to cover the entire perimeter of your face. This veil will lock your complexion products into place for long-lasting coverage."
