Finding the perfect formal prom makeup palette takes a bit of planning and experimentation. Once you've found a prom dress that makes you feel like the belle of the ball, it's time to consider what type of formal prom makeup will compliment and flatter you on the most anticipated night of the year.
Makeup generally serves to accentuate and emphasize attractive facial features. On special occasions such as prom or other formal functions, wearing makeup can help polish your look and highlight your beauty.

Depending on your familiarity with cosmetics, formal makeup may seem intimating. The following tips and ideas are guaranteed to help you sparkle, look your best and add glamour to your cherished night.

Before you start dabbling in your cosmetic bag, figure out the type of message your dress and overall gown style conveys. Are you planning on donning a frisky and party length shift, or a princess gown complete with a corseted back and a tulle underskirt? Many girls wear traditional prom gowns such as floor length sleeveless sheaths, while others opt for a-line dresses that have a fit and flare structured shape.

Once you've determined whether your dress is flirty and fun, romantic and old fashioned, sexy and shapely or chic and polished, you're ready to create a cosmetic palette that will continue this look from head to toe.
Flirty Ideas

Flirty cosmetics are fun and festive. Certainly not a wallflower, you're ready to dance the night away. For a flirty makeup look, follow these tips:
Eyes: Keep the eyes flirty with a bright and sparkly eye shadow. Glitter shadows are a must! Shop for a pearl or ivory shimmer eye shadow and layer it liberally on your lids.
Lips: Flirty lips should be glossy and kissable. A lip stain will provide endless hours of color, while a clear lip gloss will add the shine that you'll love while out on the dance floor.
Blush: Keep your cheeks rosy and cheerful with a cream blush.
Glitter: Lightly brush glitter allover your shoulders, chest, and cheekbones for a festive and playful look.
Romantic Ideas

For the true romantic, prom night is the perfect occasion for showcasing your feminine side. To create a romantic palette, follow these tips:
Eyes: Sweep a taupe eye shadow over eyelids. Use a deeper shade of brown or taupe to lightly fill in the crease of the eyelid.
Lips: A rose tinted lipstick is universally flattering and sure to highlight your romantic side. Line lips with a neutral lip liner and fill in lips with a mauve or pink-brown lipstick.
Cheeks: Keep cheeks sweet and peachy with an apricot blush. Apply blush liberally on the apples of the cheeks.
Shimmer: Add a touch of feminine sheen to your look by sweeping a subtle shimmer cream or lotion across your cheekbones.
Sexy Ideas

For the gal who wants to capture the beauty of a Hollywood starlet, a sexy and glamorous palette is a necessity. To create a sexy siren look, follow these tips:
Eyes: Apply a nude or ivory eye shadow allover eyelid.
Liner: With a steady hand, draw a sweeping cat eye from rim to rim. For more information on how to create this look, check out our cat eye makeup article.
Mascara: Curl eyelashes and apply several coats of jet black mascara.
Lips: Plump lips with a lip plumping product such as Too Faced Lip Injection in Techno Kiss.
Chic Ideas

If you wish to capture a chic and polished look with minimal effort, you'll need to keep your palette simple and clean. To create a modern and timeless palette, follow these tips:
Eyes: Apply a white or ivory eye shadow liberally across both eyelids.
Smoke: Once the white or ivory shadow is applied, create a smoky eye by sweeping gray or black shadow into the crease of the eyelid.
Line: Line eyelids with a dark brown or black eyeliner and smudge the line, blending with your eye shadow brush.
Blush: Keep blush sparse and minimal. For a universally flattering shade, check out Nars blush in Orgasm.
Lips: For a polished look, lips should be chic and neutral. Line lips with a neutral lip liner, and top with a nude lipstick such as Nars lipstick in Belle de Jour.

Once you've gathered all the supplies to create your prom makeup palette, spend a few nights practicing the application to ensure you've worked out any kinks. Techniques such as the smoky or the cat eye can be tricky to master. If need be, seek out a family member or friend that can help create your look, and rely on their expertise while dressing for your magical night.