Ladies, homecoming season is upon us. For us upperclasswomen, this is not our first rodeo. For the underclasswomen, this might be your first time in the ring, so here are some tips and tricks to make your day go smoothly.
To tan or not to tan? Nothing is more embarrassing than having orange streaks of fake tan run down your legs–trust me, been there, done that, bought the t-shirt. Whether you do your fake tan at home or go out to get it done, make sure you pick a color that looks natural and matches your foundation shade for a seamless blend. Undertones are very important! If you have a warmer undertone, pick a fake tan with a violet base. If you have cooler undertones, pick a fake tan with a green base. Before you tan, exfoliate and shave 24 hours in advance. Using a tanning mitt can make the process go quicker, but take your time blending the formula around wrists, ankles, and knees. It becomes obvious when a fake tan is rushed, so if you do not have the time, don’t feel obligated to get one.
Shoe-nanaigans. Although I should probably let you experience the canon event of high school–in which you forget sneakers and have to dance for three hours in heels–it is my duty to guide you. Wear the cute heels for pictures, but then bring a pair of sneakers for the actual dance. Everyone is going hog-wild in the mosh pit, and the last thing you want is your feet getting stomped on during “Cotton Eye Joe.” Bring Band-Aids for blisters!
Dress for distress. If you plan on wearing a strapless dress to a dance, make sure it fits well. It becomes a nuisance to hold up your dress all night because it keeps falling down. With your luck of the draw, a wardrobe malfunction is going to happen. Bringing double-sided fashion tape, a needle and thread, and a Tide stick will fix almost any situation you run into. Messy eaters, myself included, this is also your PSA to wear a napkin on your lap during dinner to avoid any run-ins with guacamole.
You’re making me blush! Most homecoming-goers get ready, go out to dinner, and take pictures before heading to the dance. If you want your makeup to last longer than my patience, skin prep and setting spray is absolutely essential. After cleansing, apply hyaluronic acid, eye cream, moisturizer (and sunscreen too if your event is during the day), and finally primer. My personal choice is the ELF Power Grip Primer. Apply makeup as usual, but make sure to use hydrating products: these are going to be your cream blushes, bronzers, etc. Powdered makeup tends to sit on top of the skin, while cream or liquid makeup tends to blend in better and leave your skin looking dewy. Finish off the look with a lot of setting spray, and don’t forget to grab an extra lipstick and gloss on your way out the door.
Home is where the hairspray is. Whether you prefer voluminous curls or beachy waves, hairspray is essential to any style. Believe it or not, curls hold better on dirty hair; that is, hair that was washed a day or two before and not the day of. Before styling your hair, add a heat protectant and an anti-frizz oil: I prefer the Living Proof one. After the prep, curl your hair as normal, but keep in mind it will fall out, so try to have a tighter curl so it ends up staying curled. Coat each section of hair in hairspray immediately after it comes off the iron, and then let it sit.
After your whole head is done, do a final coat of hairspray. I find the best looks do not get brushed out because they end up frizzy: I take argan oil and run it through my hair and comb it with both my hands. This method prevents crunchy hair, and the curls move much nicer. After the curls have been separated and raked through, add a light coating of spray. With that amount of hairspray, not only will your hair become a fire hazard, but the curls will also last all night long.
Most of all, remember that the most important beauty accessories are your smile and attitude, so no matter what snafus occur, roll with them and enjoy your night.
