It's the most wonderful time of the year, and no, we're not talking about the holiday season. High school students get to ditch their day-to-day 'fits and pull out glam ensembles for the biggest night of the year: prom. You may have already decided between rocking adorably stylish flats or trendy heels, picked out a unique dress, grabbed the tuxedo of your dreams, and have a screenshot of your perfect hairstyle. If these are all in place, then you're probably left deciding what your prom makeup look will be for the big night.
Euphoria is a one-stop shop for makeup looks to make your prom glam pop. No matter which East Highland student's style you vibe with most, there are so many options to choose from. Rue's glittery under-eye liner made waves in season one. Jules's graphic inner corner liner and Maddy's reverse cat eye in season two have also secured spots as some of the hottest looks from the HBO series. And let's not forget Cassie's rhinestone liner, Lexie's mod lewk, and Kat's watercolor eyes, which were all just as lit. While the show serves major style and beauty inspo for pros, there's plenty that's equally as achievable for the DIY queens and beginners who want to do their prom makeup. Whether expert or novice, being inspired is one thing, but what about the actual execution?
We recently caught up with MAC Cosmetics ambassador Kirsten Coleman, who previously worked as an assistant to lead Euphoria MUA Donni Davy on the HBO show's debut season. She shared tips and tricks for recreating a beginner-friendly beat. She even gave Seventeen's Social Media and Growth Editor, Joanna Marquina, a Euphoria-inspired prom makeup look with all the graphic liner and gemstones that we love.
17: From eye gems to graphic eyeliner, Euphoria season one played a huge role in defining beauty trends. How do you suggest our readers incorporate these look influences into their prom looks?
Kirsten Coleman: When you are in low light or an evening setting, applying anything with a lot of reflection or sheen will be more visible. Glitter and gems definitely come into play for prom looks!
I recommend experimenting with everything ahead of the big day to test colors and different combinations of textures. We used this method often when the lighting was really moody or dark so that the makeup really shines through.
17: We love a good graphic liner. What styles do you recommend for a more formal look?
KC: For a formal look, you can still create fun shapes with more neutral colors like brown or black or grey, or even a dark purple. Using more casual colors with a more unconventional or abstract placement always works.
17: What products do you suggest for readers who want to make their eyes pop?
KC: When doing a more eyeliner-focused look, an angled brush is a 100% must-have as I use it to blend out corners and edges. Eye shadow base is a big-time must for any eye makeup including eyeliner since it helps prevent creasing and keeps everything put for longer. Pointy Q-Tips are perfect for correcting cleanly, everyone needs them in their kit!
17: Glitter was one of season one's biggest trends. How would you suggest incorporating glitter without it getting messy?
KC: Glitter gel is key, otherwise, you can take the loose glitter and combine it with MAC’s Mixing Medium Gel. As long as it’s in gel form it should be controllable!
17: What non-toxic adhesives would you recommend to ensure eye gems don't fall off? Are there any key face prep or after-care products that readers should use when applying eye gems and pearls?
KC: Great skin prep, moisturizing, applying foundation to create a barrier between your skin and the glue is key, especially if you have sensitive skin. This will create a layer so your skin isn’t directly touching as much adhesive.
I would find a good, nontoxic eyelash adhesive and test it ahead of time in the areas you plan to apply gems. To ensure they stay applied throughout your day/night, avoid using oils in the areas you plan to apply the gems.
17: Which makeup look you would recommend wearing for prom this year? How would you recreate it?
KC: For the beginners in glitter, a simple yet effective approach would be a smokey eye of any color, then simply applying some gel glitter to get directly on the center of your lid like the MAC Dazzleshadow Liquids, for example. This will always pop in the light when you blink and it is truly always an eye-catcher.
17: What advice would you offer to a beginner who wants a more natural look?
KC: I’m a fan of natural look and I believe skincare is so important. If you want to have more dewy skin and a natural vibe, it’s rooted in you taking care of yourself and your skin. I would use a BB or CC cream for a light dewy coverage along with some concealer to correct any blemishes or discoloration. Then with mascara, maybe a brow pomade and for some color, you can always use lipstick for both your lips and cheek color, lightly applied for a soft color pop.
17: Can you share tips for long-lasting makeup?
KC: Sealing sprays are a must for long-lasting makeup. Eye shadow primer should always be used for eye makeup followed by a product like MAC’s Fix+ to finish the look.
Jasmine Washington is an Assistant Editor at Seventeen, where she covers celebrity news, beauty, lifestyle, and more. For the past decade, she has worked for media outlets, including BET, MadameNoire, VH1, and many others, where she used her voice to tell stories across various verticals. Follow her on Instagram.
