10 Gorgeous Prom Makeup Ideas for 2021

It’s prom season, which means dress shopping, prom hairstyle trials, and endless scrolling for inspirational makeup looks on social media will all be in effect. Prom is your chance to express your style like never before, so you’ll definitely want to make sure you get all the details right—especially when it comes to your makeup (because photos are forever). If you’re on the hunt for prom makeup ideas, you’ve come to the right place. From monochromatic makeup looks and rose gold eyeshadows, to nude-pink lipstick and cut creases, you have plenty of options to choose from. Below, we’re sharing 10 gorgeous prom makeup looks to consider. Read on and choose your favorite—or mix and match a few!

Makeup Idea #1: Monochromatic Pale Pink Makeup 

Monochrome makeup looks can make a serious statement. So if you prefer something a little subtler, try playing up your favorite features with lots of pink pigment. Sweep on a pale pink shadow, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24 HR Eye Shadow in Always Pearly Pink, across your lids. Then brush a few coats of the L'Oréal Paris Air Volume Mega Mascara, Lightweight Mega Volume Washable onto your lashes for effortless volume. Mimic a natural flush by applying a soft pink blush on the apples of your cheeks using the L’Oréal Paris True Match Blush to get the job done.

Makeup Idea #2: Glowing Skin

Glowy skin is a must for prom and you can achieve that by using the right skin care routine. Use a face scrub like the L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Purify & Unclog Kiwi Scrub, to help remove dirt, oil, and build-up. Follow up with a facial serum, like the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Cell Renewal Midnight Serum, which will help keep your skin hydrated thanks to its dose of hyaluronic acid. Then seal in moisture using the L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care for Normal/Dry Skin. 

Editor’s Tip: Add a highlighter to your moisturizer for some extra glow. Squeeze a few drops of the L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Glow Amour Glow Boosting Drops onto a makeup blender and mix it with your moisturizer.

Makeup Idea #3: Sunset Eyeshadow

If you’ve picked out a simple dress and want to go for bolder eye makeup, try creating a sunset eyeshadow look. This gorgeous option features orange, pink, gold, and purple hues which resemble a beautiful spring sunset. Be sure to use an eyeshadow primer first to create a smooth base and then sweep the L’Oréal Paris Brilliant Eyes Shimmer Liquid Eye Shadow Makeup in Crown Gold across your entire lid. For a full tutorial on sunset eyes, check out our article, How to Create a Sunset Eye.

Makeup Idea #4: Draped Coral Blush

You’ve likely swept blush onto your cheeks for a flushed makeup look, but that isn’t the only way to wear it. Get more out of your blush by using the draping technique, which involves extending the blush past your cheeks towards your temples and around the outer corner of your eyes. And rather than using a pink hue, go for a coral blush instead, using the L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect Makeup Radiant Satin Blush with Camellia Oil in Marigold. This hue will add a beautiful wash of vivid color to your face and help warm up your complexion. 

Makeup Idea #5: Rose Gold Eyeshadow 

As soon as the weather starts warming up, you’ll notice that lighter eye makeup shades begin trending. Our favorite for prom? Rose gold eyeshadow of course! This shade tends to look great on just about everyone because the metallic hue has both warm and cool qualities. To create a rose gold eyeshadow look on yourself, grab the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Paints Metallics Eye Shadow in Rose Chrome and apply it all over your lids. For a full tutorial check out our article, How to Pull Off Rose Gold Makeup Looks. 

Makeup Idea #6: Nude-Pink Lips

Protective face mask or not, you can’t forget about your lips. For a more understated but still trendy lip look, consider using nude-pink lipstick. This soft hue works well for various occasions and it’s the perfect shade to balance out vibrant eye makeup looks. Pick a shade from the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Les Nus by Colour Riche Intense Nude Lipstick line which has a creamy lightweight finish and a non-drying formula. This great lippie pick will leave your lips soft and moisturized throughout the night, meaning no dry chappy lips in your prom photos the next day! 

Editor’s Tip: Layer on a lip liner and lip gloss combo to deepen and enhance lipstick shades that are too light. Reach for a darker lip liner hue and swipe on a few coats of a neutral lip gloss to help the color look more flattering against your skin. 

Makeup Idea #7: Neutral Cut Crease Eyeshadow 

Want to add a professional makeup artist touch to your prom makeup? Look no further than the cut crease. Using the colors of your choice, grab a creamy eyeliner, a few eyeshadows in the same color scheme, and an almost-white shadow to use as a highlight. Try the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Pocket Palette Eye Shadow in Boudoir Charme to create your cut crease using pretty neutral brown hues. For a full tutorial read our article, How to Create a Cut Crease. 

Makeup Idea #8: Bold Brows

Your brows can make or break your makeup look, which is why it’s essential to use the right tools to shape and fill them in. Create stunning bold brows that won’t budge throughout the night by swapping your traditional brow pencil for the L’Oréal Paris Brow Stylist Definer Waterproof Eyebrow Mechanical Pencil. It has an ultra-fine tip that makes sculpting your desired brow shape a breeze. Just fill in sparse areas and use the spoolie on the other end of the brush to comb through your brows for a natural-looking finish. Voila!

Makeup Idea #9: Bronze Smokey Makeup 

If you’re thinking about waiting until the last minute to decide on a makeup look to go for—think again. Remember, how you look on prom night will be forever preserved in your prom pictures. So opt for a classic smokey eyeshadow featuring a bronze twist. Use a light brown shade paired with a bronzy hue like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24 HR Eye Shadow in Amber Rush and the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Monos Eyeshadow in Mix and Matte. Then, line your waterline with the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Last Waterproof, Up to 24HR Pencil Eyeliner in Bronze for a shimmering pop of color. 

Makeup Idea #10: Pastel Eyeshadow

Pretty pastel colors are perfect for the spring season, and pastel eyeshadow is a great way to incorporate light and cheery hues into your prom makeup look. Choose a pastel shadow in a shade that complements or matches your prom dress. For example, if your dress is a shade of pink, pair it with a pastel pink shadow, like the L'Oréal Paris Colour Riche Monos Eyeshadow in Mademoiselle Pink. Or, if you’re wearing a shade of blue, pair it with a pastel blue shadow, such as the L'Oréal Paris Infallible 24HR Eye Shadow in Timeless Blue Spark. 

Editor’s Tip: Ran out of eyeshadow primer? Use a concealer like the L’Oréal Paris True Match Eye Cream in a Concealer, 0.5% Hyaluronic Acid instead to create an even color. This hybrid concealer provides instant dark circle coverage with the care of eye cream and a dose of hyaluronic acid to give your eyes all-day hydration. 

Photo Credit: Danielle Marcan, @daniellemarcan

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