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!
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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.
1. Smoky eye FTW
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.
Sephora Collection
Sephora Colorful® Waterproof Eyeshadow & Eyeliner Multi-Stick
$15Sephora
Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez
Perfect Strokes Longwear & Waterproof Gel Eyeliner
$21Sephora
2. Subtle smoke
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.
Jane Iredale
ColorLuxe Eye Shadow Stick
$28Ulta
3. A pop of gold
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
MAKEUP BY MARIO
Master Crystal Reflector™
$26Sephora
4. Bronze it up
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
Pat McGrath Labs
Luxe Eye Shadow Quad: Passion Fleur
$62Ulta
5. Cateye with a twist
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.
NYX Professional Makeup
Epic Ink Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
$10Ulta
6. Brick red
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.
Maybelline
SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick
$13Ulta
7. Sugar plum
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
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Kosas
Wet Stick Moisturizing Shiny Sheer Lipstick
$24Sephora
8. Cherry lips
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
MAC Cosmetics
Mini M·A·Cximal Silky Matte 12HR Wear Lipstick
$16Sephora
9. Magenta
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!
Dehiya Beauty
Mahiri Lip + Cheek Tint
$38Ulta
10. Aura eyes
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.
MAC Cosmetics
Dazzleshadow Eye Shadow Stick
$28Ulta
11. Keep it simple
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,
Lancôme
Lip Idôle Lip Shaper
$25Ulta
Lancôme
Lip Idôle Squalane-12 Butterglow Hydrating Lip Balm
$32Ulta
12. Color coordination
At the Grammys 2026, 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!
Charlotte Tilbury
Mini Pillow Talk Lipstick & Liner Set
$26Sephora
13. '90s-Inspired
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.
Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez
Brow Harmony Precision Eyebrow Pencil
$19Sephora
14. Ultra glossy
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.
Kylie Cosmetics
Gloss Drip Lip Gloss
$20Ulta
15. Doll aesthetic
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 2026.
Clinique
Chubby Stick Cheek Color Balm Cream Blush
$32Ulta
16. Floating bottom lashes
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.
essence
Super Fine Liner Pen
$4Ulta
17. Freckled up
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.
Tarte
go with the faux freckle stamp
$26Sephora
$26Ulta
18. Feathered soft brows
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.
L'Oreal Paris
Brow Stylist Definer Waterproof Eyebrow Pencil
$13Ulta
19. Classic glam
You can never go wrong with a classic glowy glam look like this one from Simone Ashley for prom. Created by
L'Oreal Paris
Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Bronzing Enhancer
$18Ulta
20. The subtle overline
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.
rhode
Peptide Lip Shape Contouring Lip Shaper
$24Sephora
21. The overline
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.
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna
Trace'd Out Pencil Lip Liner
$22Ulta
22. The statement overline
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.
Tarte
Maracuja Juicy Lip Liner
$23Ulta
23. Blurred lips
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.
Fwee
Lip&Cheek Blurry Pudding Pot
$20Ulta
24. Coral blush
Make a statement during prom night, channeling
Milani
Coral Crush Cheek Kiss Cream Blush
$12Ulta
25. A touch of iridescence
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
DIOR
Pink Halo Forever Glow Luminizer
$52Ulta
26. Pink and gray
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.
DIOR
Addict Lip Glow Lip Balm
$42Ulta
27. No-blush blush
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,
Hourglass
Vision Unreal Liquid Blush
$38Ulta
Hourglass
Future Unreal Liquid Blush
$38Ulta
28. White eyeliner
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.
Urban Decay
24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil
$23Ulta
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.
1. Make sure the dress and the makeup match
“Once you figure out what you’re wearing, you can start planning,” says celebrity makeup artist
2. Moodboard it in advance
“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
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
3. Do a makeup test
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
4. Do a photo check
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.”
5. Prep your skin well
6. Exfoliate a few days before
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
7. Use a face mask
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
8. Moisturize in the morning
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.”
9. Don’t leave beauty treatments to the last minute
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."
10. Select your false lashes beforehand
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.
11. 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
12. Layer your blush
"A trick to make your blush last is to layer cream and powder blushes," says
13. 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.” 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
14. Embellish a little
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
15. Play around with body makeup
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.
16. Choose a prom look that makes you happy
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!"
17. Make it last
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."
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