Sydney Sweeney's Makeup Artist Shares Tips for Prom (2024)

Prom is your chance to express your style like never before. There's the dress (or suit), the nails, the shoes, the hairstyle, and (of course) your prom makeup. Thankfully, there's no need to break the bank on getting your makeup for prom done professionally, because you can give yourself a stunning look right at home. Not only does DIY prom makeup let you test things out ahead of time, it also gives you full control over your final look, so you know you'll end up with something you love.

Plus, it can be a lot of fun to experiment with prom makeup looks, especially if your entire squad commits to doing it together. And the best part? You probably already have everything you need sitting in your cabinet.

Here, we've gathered tips from makeup artists to help you create a stunning look for prom without having to leave your bathroom (so you'll have much more time for step-by-step mirror selfies to commemorate the evening). After the tips, we'll dive into specific prom makeup ideas and give you looks to recreate from smokey eye makeup to natural prom makeup. Consider this your go-to guide for all things prom makeup — we've got you covered. Let's dive in!

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Prom Makeup Tips

1. Use Your Prom Dress

“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.”

Melissa Hernandez, makeup artist to stars like Sydney Sweeney 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 smokey eye or a bold lip. Following this tip will ensure that your overall look feels elevated and balanced.”

2. Mood Board It

“Start saving pictures of styles you like,” says celebrity makeup artist Jamie Greenberg, who works with Rashida Jones, Kaley Cuoco, and Alicia Silverstone. “You can make literal collages from magazines or do it electronically.”

Melissa suggests using social media, “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.”

3. Do A Makeup Test

“Before any big event, I recommend doing makeup tests, like makeup artists would before a shoot," says makeup artist Tonya Crooks. "A day before the event, do your entire makeup routine as you would for prom to make sure everything works together."

4. Do A Photo Check

"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," Spencer 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." Tonya agrees: "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

“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 Tonya. “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!”

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), Melissa 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 Melissa 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 Any 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 Spencer. “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.”

9. Test Fake Lashes Out Beforehand

"If you are thinking of trying out false lashes, I don’t recommend waiting until the night of to attempt this for the first time," says Spencer. "It’s a good idea to shop and try a few styles so that you are comfortable with the application, the finished look, and feel."

10. Use The Right Tools

"Great makeup starts with the right tools," says celebrity makeup artist Jill Powell. “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.”

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 Daniel. “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 as of late. Lip tints and lip stains happen to be trending these days, especially on TikTok. The app has also given us plenty of recommendations including the viral e.l.f Glossy Lip Stain.

13. Play Around 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 Spencer. “This can also help keep your skin looking even and fresh.”

14. Choose a Prom Look that Makes You Happy

"Have fun and do what makes you comfortable," says Tonya. "This is YOUR prom night, so if you're scared by 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!"

15. Make It Last

If you have a long night of dancing ahead, Melissa 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," she says.

Prom Makeup Ideas and Inspiration

There’s no better time to get glammed up, buy a few new products, and try out a daring new look than prom night. Here, we've gathered inspiration from 20 looks that are totally prom-worthy. Check out all the looks — from flawless bronzed skin to bold dark lips — and get tips on how to recreate them yourself.

1. Up In Smoke

Who doesn’t love a good smoky eye? For a formal prom makeup look like Kristen Stewart’s, apply the blackest black from your eyeshadow palette in 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 wash of concealer, a little bronzer, and a pinky-nude lip.

2. Bronze Medal

You can still get a bold look with neutral colors. Anitta’s bronze lip gives her an edge, while her brown smoky eye gives her a classic chic vibe. If you're really into the monochrome look, you can even join in on the auburn hair trend too.

3. Tightline Eyeliner

Thin and slightly smudged eyeliner is trending on TikTok, and the timing couldn't have been better because it is a super convenient look from prom. You won't have to worry about accidentally messing up your eyeliner while you're rushing to get ready because you just have to follow your waterline with a pencil eyeliner like Essence's (which also comes in colors that would add some extra fun for prom) and you'll smudge it out in the end anyways. If you want, you can also add a small, fluttery wing on the outer corner of the eyes like Simone Ashley.

4. Red Hot

Dove Cameron’s matte red lip 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. However, if matte isn't your style, you can channel Jisoo with a shiny red lip instead.

5. Lash Out

False eyelashes are the perfect way to make your makeup pop. Pick a full pair like Ariana Grande effect and use black lash glue for a more subtle look.

6. Low Key

If you really want to stand out, consider paring down. A simple prom makeup look can have the full effect. With a bit of mascara, a small eyeliner wing, blended out lipstick, and glowing skin, Olivia Rodrigo shows us exactly how it’s done.

7. Bright Eyes

Contrast can be the key to a look — as Dua Lipa proved in this powdery light blue shadow. For lighter shadows, apply them to your entire lid and go for a slightly lighter or even a white shade in the inner corners to make your eyes look bigger and brighter. Finish things off with a nude lip and you’re good to go.

8. A Bolder Lip

If you're really looking to go all out, try something far from your everyday look. Channel Lizzo and try a black lipstick for a bold finishing touch that turns heads.

9. Berry Cool

Opting for a bold lip can be the perfect excuse to go lighter on the eyes. Take some inspo from Elizabeth Olsen and go for some full brows to complete the look instead.

10. Red Carpet Ready

Be ready for professional photographers and selfie cams alike with lightly contoured cheeks, penciled in brows, and long lashes like Camila Cabello. This is the ultimate movie star look. Just make sure to practice. It'll be a good time to try out some TikTok-viral products like the Tarte Sculpt Tape and hacks like Selena Gomez's.

11. Nice and Easy

A natural prom makeup look can still be really elegant, so if you don't typically wear makeup, don’t feel pressured to go all out. A little highlight and a simple swipe of mascara (like Kaci Walfall sports here) can help you feel fancy enough. Practice at home (with tips from Kaci's makeup artist) until you figure out what you feel most comfortable with. Come prom night, you’ll be pro!

12. Sugar Plum

Trust us on this one, purple lipstick is way easier to wear than it looks. It flatters every skin tone and always turns heads. Just look at Vanessa Hudgens! Still skeptical? What if we told you that you can keep it low maintenance by opting for a lip tint like rom&nd's Plum co*ke so you don't have to reapply throughout the night? Or keep it subtle with a blurred, matte look using Peripera's Mauve-Holic.

13. Cat’s Meow

The cat eye will always be cool, and recently we've gotten so many new versions of it. You can try Rihanna's reverse cat eye or maybe Danna Paola's foxy eye. Get the look with black across your entire lid in a dramatic wing and smudge on the lower lash line for a softer touch. Pull your hair back in high half ponytail and finish off with a subtle bronzer.

14. Color Coordination

At the Brits 2022, Olivia Rodrigo went for glitter all over with her shimmery silver eyeshadow that matched her sparkling dress. You can do the same and match your makeup to your prom dress for a cohesive look. Plus, you can match your nails too!

15. Euphoria-Inspired Makeup

“I think we will definitely be seeing Euphoria-inspired makeup looks this year,” Melissa says. And we'd have to agree. Luckily, Euphoria's makeup artist Donni Davy told us exactly how to recreate one of the most iconic looks from the show, and you can even use products made by the creator herself.

16. '90s Makeup

“Thin brows are trending again, which leads me to believe we may be seeing heavily lined eyes and lips! Think Pamela Anderson and Christina Aguilera circa 1998,” Melissa says. We've seen these looks on some celebs lately like Jennie. And, if you want to DIY this look, we tried out some of the best eyeliners for you to use.

17. Ultra Glossy

Another trend from the ‘90s that’s trending is the ultra glossy lip. It's an easy and simple way to make your prom makeup shine. If you don't already have a go-to in your makeup cabinet or you want to try something new for prom, you can find Teen Vogue editors' favorite lip glosses here.

18. Doe Eyes

When in doubt, head to TikTok for some inspo! The viral doe eyeliner trend will help you complete a sweetheart look from prom. Pair it with a light soft eye shadow and rosy cheeks for the full effect.

19. Channel a Siren

If you're more spicy than sweet, maybe the equally viral siren look is for you. A fierce wing and sharp inner corners will help you get that edgy look for prom. Draw an angled wing that extends all the way from the inner conner of the eye and go for some contour to keep things extra sharp.

20. Cloud Makeup

Avoid getting flashback in your prom photos by opting for a soft matte look like Wonyoung. This look is perfect for a special occasion like prom because it's practical, but it's also super trendy on TikTok right now. Just prime the skin with a matte, blurring primer like Glow Recipe's Blur Drops and apply a thin layer of matte foundation with a foundation brush, sponge, or spatula if you'd like a really subtle look.

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