No Prom, No Problem: Makeup for a Virtual Party

Summer is coming early this year for high school students throughout the nation—it definitely sounds better than it actually is. With premature high school closures following the deadly coronavirus outbreak, many seniors will not get to experience the exciting last few months of their 4-year journey.

With graduation uncertain and prom night definitely cancelled, it’s easy for students to enter a solitary slump. If it’s any consolation, you can still host a celebration—just digitally. If your prom was cancelled, get all gussied up and host a virtual prom night with your friends. Just because you’re in quarantine doesn’t mean you can’t dress to impress. Don’t let a good gown go to waste!

From edgy graphic liner to eye-catching appliqués, these spring-inspired makeup looks will get you in the party mood, even if you’re housebound. Try out these makeup looks, turn on the tunes, and start a video chat with your classmates for a computerized take on this senior rite of passage.

Graphic Liner

Promise me you won’t settle for basic eyeliner on prom night. Dare to be different and try a graphic liner design seen on spring fashion week runways. Using a brush-tip liquid liner in black, create a thick line and wing it outward toward the end of your brow. Add subtle color by using a blue or purple liquid liner to create a thick line that extends from the endpoint of your wing into your crease. There you have it—geometric makeup!

Bright Eye Shadow

While prom puts an emphasis on dressing to impress, I’d like to shift the focus toward statement-making beauty. This year, go for a high-impact eye look featuring a pop of bright color that matches your dress, or choose a trending spring shade like fiery red, saffron or aqua. First, add your favorite combination of neutral shadows to your lid, crease, and outer V. Finish off by applying a bold-colored pigment to your tear ducts, dragging this shade into the inner part of your lids.

Apply Appliqués

From pearl accents to jeweled-up lids, more is more when it comes to spring’s hottest makeup trend: Appliqués. Line your eyes with colorful rhinestones for subtle sparkle or go for all-out holographic shine by adding reflective disco dots to your lids.

Glossy Ombré Lips

The reign of lip gloss is far from over. In fact, glassy pouts are here to stay throughout springtime. Take classic gloss to the next level by creating a multidimensional, ombré look that makes lips appear full and elegant. Start by lining your natural lip line with a neutral pencil. Drag this shade into your lips, but avoid the center. Apply a touch of beige-hued lipstick and pat it with your fingers to blend. Since gold is slated to be the breakout metallic of spring 2020, finish off by adding a high shine, reflective gold gloss to the center of your lips and Cupid’s bow.

Go Monochromatic

Match-y match-y makeup is definitely a thing this spring. No, you don’t have to search for a green colored lipstick to exactly match your green shadow…unless you’re into that! Monochromatic makeup can be as simple as wearing a bronzed smokey eye with a sheer, brown-toned gloss. Since coral pink is one of the most popular colors for Spring 2020, I recommend creating a coral-hued makeup look. Using Natasha Denona’s Coral Palette, add Lyria (coral pink shade, matte finish) to your lid and blend Dakota (rust red shade, matte finish) into your outer V. Finish by dotting Kai (coral champagne shade, matte finish) onto your tear ducts. Apply a sheer, coral gloss to your lips and you’re good to go!

Illustrations by Megan Badilla