Getting ready for prom can be a lot of fun or it can be really stressful, depending on the person.
Glamorous/formal prom style is a right of passage for a lot of girls.
They get a chance to go shopping with their friends, do each other’s hair and makeup, and try on some really fun outfits.
Unfortunately, there are also some downfalls to getting ready for prom, but the good news is they’re easily avoided.
In order to have a great night you’ll really enjoy, there are some prom dos and don’ts that you should know about.
1. Celebrate Your Own Style
Wanting to fit in is natural, especially for teenagers.
However, choosing a prom dress by trying to guess what’s going to be popular/in style is a risky move.
In the best-case scenario, that will leave you looking like everyone else, and it might make you feel uncomfortable if it’s not the style you’d usually go for.
Instead of doing that, celebrate your style and arrive in a unique prom dress that will make you stand out in the best possible way.
Whether it’s romantic vintage or edgy chic, just make sure the dress makes you feel good and confident.
You don’t have to go overly bold with your outfit if that’s not something you’re comfortable with, but finding a well-designed dress that fits with your style and reflects your personality will get you off on the right foot.
2. Don’t Let Social Media Get To You
Social media is a tricky thing since it can make even the most confident girl doubt her looks when she sees everyone else looking absolutely amazing on their profile pictures.
It can cause a lot of stress and anxiety over what you’re going to wear, how your makeup will look, and whether or not you’ll get any ‘likes’ on the pictures that will be posted on Instagram later.
If you let social media get to you in these ways, chances are you’ll have a really bad time at prom when it rolls around.
Look into some healthy coping mechanisms that you can use to avoid bending under the pressure.
3. Try Makeup Tutorials With A Friend
Attending a formal event like prom gives you the opportunity to play around with makeup and see which look you like the most.
There are a lot of makeup tutorials out there and you can find them pretty easily through a quick Google search, so why not try some of those tutorials with a friend or two?
This way, you’ll be able to do your hair and makeup together, which can be a great bonding experience.
You’ll also get some valuable insights into what you like the most, making it easy for you to figure out what kind of look you’ll want for your own prom night.
It can even help you get outside your comfort zone and find out how much makeup you can actually wear without feeling overwhelmed or suffocated.
4. Don’t Change Your Hair Drastically
Changing your hair drastically isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it’s probably not going to be the best idea if you want to enjoy prom.
If you’re thinking about chopping off all your hair and dying it a totally different color for this occasion, you might want to rethink that strategy.
While having fun with your hair is definitely encouraged, changing it drastically can change your whole style and make you feel strange about yourself.
Instead, play around with a curling iron or some braiding techniques to see what kinds of new looks you can come up with.
That way, you can still get a fresh look without the risk of feeling self-conscious in case you don’t like a new haircut, or it just doesn’t seem to compliment your style.
5. Compliment Your Date
Just like prom is important to you, it’s more than likely important to your date as well.
They went through their own makeover, maybe even stressed about what to wear, and might have even agonized over how they were going to look.
Since you want the night to be memorable for them as well, make sure you compliment your date on their outfit at least once throughout the evening.
This way, they’ll feel good about themselves, which will hopefully boost their confidence, and not only is that a great thing to do for a friend or a significant other, but it’s also a great way to ensure you guys will have fun out there!
There’s really nothing quite like feeling confident on an important night like prom, so if you want to make sure it starts off on a high note, throw in a compliment or two.
6. Don’t Wear Shoes You Can’t Walk In
It can be tempting to take this opportunity to get high heels and channel your inner ‘glamour girl’, but wearing heels that are too high or aren’t the right fit for you can cause a whole lot of problems throughout the course of the night.
Not only will your feet be at risk for blisters and discomfort, but your knees and back could also start to hurt from all that standing, dancing, and walking.
It’s advisable to wear heels that you love, but it’s also important to wear ones you know you can handle.
Getting your picture taken with your date is one thing, but being so uncomfortable in your shoes makes it almost impossible to have the night of your life.
On that note, no matter which shoes you decide on, if they’re new, make sure to break them in before prom.
7. Enjoy Yourself
The single most important thing to remember on prom night is that this is a special time for you and it’s all about having fun.
This means doing whatever makes you smile and not trying to impress anyone but yourself.
Enjoy the process of getting ready – however simple or elaborate that may be – and the process of picking an outfit, and once you’re done with the makeover, try to focus on other things like the music, laughing with friends, and just enjoying life.
When your parents, date, and friends see how comfortable and self-assured you look, they won’t be able to help but smile too.