It’s the night of the big dance. Everything is perfect, from the dress to the date waiting outside; this is something you have only dreamt of for so long. You glide lip gloss across your lips and take a final look at yourself before racing out the front door.
But when you scroll through pictures the next day, you look closer and are horrified: your eyeliner was running the entire time! All of your pictures are ruined, and you’re devastated.
As the Oak Park High School Spring Fling dance approaches, it’s time to find the perfect makeup that must last through hours of dancing, look good in different lighting and fit the theme. You could go about it in so many ways, so I am here to walk you through the basics. Then, it is up to your creative freedom to create your original look.
- Pick your style
From full glam to clean girl aesthetics, there are infinite makeup styles. Knowing which one best complements your features allows you to tweak an already fool-proof routine to suit the conditions of each event. Trial and error is the best way to accomplish this, in addition to turning to more experienced individuals for advice.
- Make it last
One of the most challenging aspects of school dance makeup is that it must withstand the evening and look good in multiple environments. Some pictures will be taken on the dancefloor with flash, and others will be taken outdoors in natural light.
The simplest way to help your makeup look consistently good throughout the night is to apply makeup to make it last as long as possible. This can be done by using a mattifying primer, opting for longer-lasting or waterproof products and setting your makeup with a powder and/or spray.
- Less is more
One of the easiest ways to end up with a cakey or separating base is to layer on too much product, leaving them unable to soak into your skin and mesh together. Starting with less product allows you to build upon your base to achieve your desired coverage. It is easier to add on more product than to take it off, so place it precisely where you need it.
- Integrate the theme
The theme for this year’s Spring Fling is “Night on the Pier,” and while it may be a more vague theme, it also provides various options for incorporating it into your look. I interpret the prompt as night with friends by the beach or at the Santa Monica Pier, so I’ll use an obscene amount of glitter to reflect the moonlight bouncing off of the ferris wheel, as well as bright pops of color and strong lines to represent the neon lights on the buildings. Feel free to adjust based on what compliments your outfit!
- Practice, Practice, Practice
Like any other skill, applying makeup takes time to master. A look will never be perfect the first time you do it, so practicing ahead of time allows you to test methods and reduce anxiety on the big day.
- Make it your own!
The finishing touches set each makeup look apart, so have fun! For the perfect finishing touches, add on a little more sparkle, some lip gloss or a bolder eye. Makeup is one of the most intuitive forms of self-expression, so do whatever makes you happy. With all of this in mind, I hope you find the perfect makeup look for the Spring Fling!
