Beauty School: 3 Hot Prom Looks
Want to test your makeup skills? Study these top tips and you can ace any look, whether you want kissable red lips, beach-worthy bronzed skin, or dark, smoky eyes. Extra credit if you can master all three!



The Look: Bronze Skin
A natural glow is perfect for any laid-back beauty. The only problem: It's not quite beach season yet, and tanning beds are so 10 years ago. Don't worry, a touch of gold eye shadow and a great bronzer will give you the same sun-kissed skin.

Get Pretty Pointers:
Start with a cream shadow
A long-lasting blend like Bobbi Brown's Long-Wear Cream shadow ($22, BobbiBrownCosmetics.com) will stay put all night long.

Add some shimmer
A top layer of powder shadow in a glittery hue, like Urban Decay's Midnight Cowgirl ($16, UrbanDecay.com), will make your eyes really shine. Yep, that means your date will want to stare into them all night long.

Dust on bronzer
For an allover glow, we love NARS Laguna Bronzing Powder ($30, NarsCosmetics.com). Don't forget to brush just under your chin and on your neck to blend.
Get glossy Finish with sheer gloss and a couple coats of dark brown mascara so your look isn't too over the top.




The Look: Red Lips
We get it; you love Old Hollywood glamour. Okay, maybe you're just ga ga for Gwen Stefani; either way, bold red lips will be part of your prom look. Just remember that the right red is the difference between classy and (yuck!) trashy.

Get Pretty Pointers:
Keep it simple
The rest of your makeup should be a bit more subdued so your lips really pop. Neutral tan tones for the eyes, light pink blush on the cheeks, and a few coats of mascara should do the trick.

Go slow
A matte lipstick or lip stain will let you build on your color little by little so you don't overdue it. We love Benefit's Benetint LipBalm ($20, BenefitCosmetics.com) because it's totally kiss-proof.

Add shine
If matte lipstick is too flat, experiment with a sparkly balm like ChapStick's True Shimmer ($2.50, Drugstore.com) or sheer lip gloss to find the perfect shade.




The Look: Smoky Eyes
You've got a sexy dress; now all that's left is some come-hither makeup to match. Smoky shadow will have your date weak in the knees (so don't be too hard on him if he takes a break from the dance floor).

Get Pretty Pointers:
Line it up
Dark liner will really make your eyes stand out. Use a thin brush to make a crisp line starting at the inside of your eyelid (by your nose) and working outward.

Layer it on
Apply a rich, dark shadow (try charcoal, plum, or navy) over the liner on your lid and up to, but not higher than, the crease. Now blend. Remember, the first place the brush touches will get the most color.

Load on mascara
Three coats (yes, three!) of mascara, like Rimmel Volume Flash Instant Thickening Mascara ($7.50, Drugstore.com), will give your eyelashes maximum length and volume without clumping.




Other Articles You’ll Love
Answers to Your Plus-size Style Qs
Plus-size Dress Trends for Prom '08
Find a Makeup Artist



-- Cait Rohan and Heather Levine


Special thanks to: Emily Kate Warren, EmilyKateWarren.com and makeup artist Angelique Velez, AngeliqueVelez.com




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