5 Timeless Prom Makeup Looks

Classic makeup looks have stood the test of time, and they continue to be popular choices for prom night. Whether you're looking for a timeless red lip, a soft glam look, or a natural clean girl look, there are endless options for achieving a classic makeup look that will make you feel like the belle of the ball. 

1. Soft Glam Prom Makeup

The soft glam makeup look is all about creating a subtle yet glamorous look that enhances your natural beauty. The soft glam look is achieved by combining elements of natural, neutral makeup with a touch of sparkle and shine.

To create a soft glam makeup look, use a lightweight foundation that matches your skin tone and set it with a translucent setting powder for a soft, radiant glow. Use neutral eye shadow colors like brown, plum, or beige– and feel free to add a little shimmer with similarly neutral base colors.

Our Classic EyeShadow Duos are perfect for this look because they provide two similar shades, one is matte and the other is a shimmer eyeshadow.

A thin line of brown or black eyeliner and mascara will complete the eyes. For your lips, choose a nude or color-changing Magic Pink to create your perfect pink shade. Magic Pink is a sheer, balmy lipstick that changes color
based on your pH.

A soft pink blush and some shimmery compact highlighter powder will finish the look and give you a soft, glowing, glamorous look that will look amazing all night long. Try our Silver Screen Shimmer powder with any of our compacts, this powder will add a subtle sparkle just like it did for Marilyn Monroe.

2. Monochromatic Prom Makeup

Monochromatic makeup is a fun way to highlight your favorite color. For this makeup look, you will choose one color for your lips, cheeks, and eyes. This look is cohesive and elegant– the harmonious color palette will look stunning. Choose a color that compliments your dress for the best effect. 

To create a monochromatic makeup look, do your foundation layer as you normally would. Find a lipstick, a blush, and an eyeshadow color (or colors) in the same color family. This look works well with all kinds of finishes; you can use a glitter, shimmer, or matte eyeshadow, or a glossy or matte lipstick. 

Try our Plum Dandy Eye Shadow paired with Dusty Rose lipstick or pair our
Socialite Brown Eyeshadow  with Chocolate Kiss for a warmer richer look. Finish the look with Brown Cake Mascara for defined eye lashes, a subtle eyeliner and to fill in your brows.

If you really want to ensure that your monochromatic makeup look is truly cohesive, you can actually use your lipstick as blush! It will work just like a Cream Rouge. Simply apply to the apples of your cheeks and blend out with a fluffy brush or your fingers. 

3. Clean Girl Prom Makeup

Clean girl makeup is a minimalist makeup look that's all about achieving a fresh, natural look that enhances your features. It is timeless and trendy at the same time, and it’s a great option for those who prefer a more understated or a “no makeup makeup” look.

If you want to wear clean girl makeup to prom, you want to choose the lightest products possible. This is a perfect look if you have a good skincare routine because it lets you show off your flawless complexion. Use a neutral colored eyeshadow, and you may want to skip the eyeliner and mascara. If you want to emphasize your eyelashes, a clear mascara or simply using a simple layer of Cake Mascara can do that without adding weight. Our Cake Mascara isn’t like traditional mascara so it really will enhance your natural lashes instead of coating them in a heavy layer that ends up looking like fake lashes.

Choose a nude lipstick or a clear gloss that brings out the natural color of your lips.

4. Vintage Prom Makeup

Vintage makeup looks draw on beauty trends from past decades to create a look that is simultaneously modern and classic. Depending on what past beauty looks inspire you, the steps to creating your vintage look will vary widely. But honestly? Figuring out how you’re going to create a vintage look is half the fun! Researching a past decade’s color language and beauty ideals is a great way to figure out what looks work just for you. 

A good way to start putting together a vintage makeup look is to look at glam makeup looks created by icons such as Audrey Hepburn, Doris Day, and Marilyn Monroe. You can recreate these looks with products inspired by them, such as Cream Rouge, Cake Mascara, and shades of red lipstick.

Bésame is all about makeup inspired by vintage icons, we can help you complete your look with our decades of lashes from the 1920’s or 30’s as well as our Decades of Fragrances inspired by different eras.

5. Classic Red Lip for Prom

Nothing is more dramatic than a classic red lip! This makeup look was popular for many eras and worn by so many icons on the screen and off. It continues to be simultaneously timeless and effortlessly modern even to this day. This makeup look emphasizes the bold lipstick color, letting your smile stand out and be the star of the show.

To create a look that emphasizes your lips, you may want to stick to neutral eyeshadow colors, or use a smokey eye. Use a light hand with the blush; you want your lips to really pop. Whether you use deep red lipstick or bright red lipstick, you should be very careful to get clean lines; use the flat edge of Bésame’s lipstick to help avoid feathering. Check out our Red Masterliner and lip brushes to level up your lipstick application.

Pair your bold red lip look with a bold eyeliner and defined brows. And, instead of using multiple products, try our Black Cake Mascara which will work as eyeliner, a natural, lash-enhancing mascara and brow tint to fill in and define your brows.