Love Prom

Don’t you hate when your parents say the words, “worst-case scenario”? I mean, really. Who wants to focus on the worst-case anything? It’s far more fun to plan for the best and the good times. That said, the reason they give such warnings is, well, sometimes bad stuff does happen, and it really is best to be prepared. One prom situation that you rarely see discussed is what to do if you break up with your prom date just before prom? Ouch, right? There are a lot of issues that might arise is this unfortunate relationship issue catches up with you, from what to do with your gorgeous prom dress to who takes the financial hit. Some of these sticky situations might include: What should do if you share a big group of friends? Who do you spend time with? Do you have to make them choose between you and your ex? Sharing “custody” of your mutual friends is tough with or without prom, but it makes the prom especially complicated. One easy answer is no, you don’t have to make them choose between the two of you. You may have to negotiate when each of you will hang out […]

Social media has opened up our world to new possibilities – information at your fingertips, ideas galore, and videos that practically turn you into an expert hairstylist, cosmetologist or nuclear physicist (Disclaimer – clearly YouTube cannot really turn you into ANY of those things!). However, it has also created an unrealistic universe in which we are all held up to Pinterest and Insta-Perfect standards. The #nofilter movement maybe even makes it worse. At least before #nofilter we could blame the filters for making everyone else’s lives look perfect when we knew in our heart of hearts that ours were so not. Reality Check It’s time that we engage in one huge reality check. No one is perfect. No one has everything. While she may look great in her perfect prom dress, she might be insecure about her braces, or her dancing, or maybe her family’s finances. While he sprang for the most expensive limousine he could find, he might be struggling with graduating on time or his parents might be facing divorce. You simply can’t judge the perfection of a person’s life against pictures on an Insta account or the size of his or her promposal. Love without The Bells […]

While it’s true that the ladies and their epic prom dresses get a lot of the attention and focus leading up to the big day, guys are equally as important to the equation! And from the looks of the Facebook pages of men who attended their proms 20 and 30 years ago, the memories last just as long for men as they do for women. Nostalgia doesn’t discriminate. That said, don’t men deserve to have the best time, look their best, feel their best and be as prepared as much as women do? So, while these pampering tips might not have been on your radar before today, we highly recommend you consider them as you prepare for your amazing prom experience! Have a Facial We know teens can be plagued by acne and skin issues, so great skincare is one of the best ways you can possibly prepare for prom. Salons are no longer the exclusive territory of women – many feature a whole menu of options for guys too. And once you’ve been treated with kid gloves, you’ll be addicted for life. You can start with a dermatologist or at a reputable spa, just make sure you do so […]

Have you ever rented a tuxedo before? If the answer is no, and prom will be your first venture into the world of formalwear, you definitely aren’t alone. Not too many social gatherings require the formality of dress that a tuxedo satisfies, so unless you have been part of many wedding parties, or happen to live a very fancy lifestyle, you probably aren’t familiar with the ins and outs of renting tuxedos. That’s okay! It’s something that can be mastered pretty easily, and definitely in time for prom. Plan Ahead You don’t need to order a tuxedo six months in advance, but it also doesn’t work to try to secure one the day of prom. Talk to your prom date and find out what she’ll be wearing if you can. Coordinating accessories like bow ties and vests is easier if you at least know the color of her prom dress. While you can ask for her feedback about the style of your tux, etiquette doesn’t technically require that you consult or obtain your date’s approval. However, harmony and a happy date might be more likely if you do! Gather Some Ideas First Before your tuxedo fitting, check out the latest […]

Oh for Heaven’s sake – as if learning everything you need to know before you go to your first prom isn’t enough, did you know that there are rules for the wearing of shoes with tuxedos? As crazy as it sounds, you may actually have to add this to your “formal” education (see what we did there?), at least if you want to get it right. Business Insider offers many tips to help you stay on the right side of etiquette history if you feel like it’s important to you or your date to stay compliant.  Among the more than 30 rules featured for wearing a tuxedo in public (you are evidently free to make whatever crazy choices you want as long as you don’t leave your own home improperly tuxedoed-out) are: Opera pumps (yes, this is a real thing for guys – but, yeah, we had to Wikipedia it too) are only to be worn with the ultra-formal white tie attire, typically reserved for attending a state dinner at the white house or celebrating the birthday of a really old monarch. Most people do not wear white tie, so opera pumps are likely not in your future, and frankly, […]

Guys, this one’s for you! So often, prom marketing and research is focused on the ladies. Just read any prom blog to confirm that it’s true – How can you find the perfect prom dress? What should you carry in your prom clutch? What are the latest trends in jewelry, hair, makeup, accessories? Not to say that guys aren’t interested in the fashion or fun of a prom – we know that there are many of you out there who are! Traditionally, however, the media, marketers and even moms (and dads) have focused prom attention on girls. Well, we plan to step out of that box, not just today, but more often in general. We know young men have at least as many questions about their prom experience as ladies do, and we’re more than happy to answer them. Do I Have to Prom-Pose? Take the promposal, for example. Over the past decade or so it has become a HUGE part of the prom narrative. Elaborate, funny, touching, dangerous, silly, funky and frankly creepy “will you go to the prom with me” scenarios have shown up all over social media. You can’t open Insta for a second in prom season […]

One of the hottest trends in formal hairstyling this season is the braided look. Now, this isn’t your mother’s French braid of the past. From messy buns to crowns of curls, there are several varieties of updos that incorporate a braided section of hair (or often more than one) in the final product. The results are intricate-looking, somewhat sturdy and of course, totally gorgeous prom hair styles that you too can pair with your perfect prom dress. Why Braided Updos? Wearing hair longer on a day-to-day basis has become more popular in general, so it’s no wonder that formal hairstyles have been adapted, too. Where many updos in the past started with a simple pony tail or two, the addition of the braid offers more texture, and the opportunity to perfect a “messier” overall style. How Do You Create the Look? If you watch the YouTube instruction videos, you’ll see most of these styles start with sectioning off your hair, then making one or more “plaits” (braids). The braids often lift the hair off of the back of your neck, starting the updo, and then are twisted in one direction or another to give the initial shape to your style. […]

If you love makeup, you are probably pretty excited about expressing yourself though your artistry during prom. There are so many new products, new application techniques, and new cosmetic concepts emerging all the time that it can be crazy hard to keep up. We’ve put together some of the latest makeup trends from the top experts in the beauty field so you can get an idea of what you might see next year at prom. Latest Trends in Prom Makeup Which of these makeup trends excite you most? Statement Eye Shadow Bright, bold eye makeup that goes beyond traditional colors was super-hot during Fashion Month, according to the NY Times. We’re talking seriously avant garde like Day-Glo Orange and Peppermint Green! Even if you’re not adventurous enough to rock the vibrant shades at school or on a girls’ night at the movies, prom is a great opportunity to experiment and go a little (or even a lot) wild with your look. Luscious Lips Bold colors aren’t just for eyes anymore. Your lips deserve their drama too! Seventeen.com featured shimmery lips painted to look like fire! To get the look, apply a fiery red to the outside of your lips and […]

Okay – so, you’re a savvy searcher (probably because you started Googling before you born) and you’re not taking this prom thing lightly. You’ve probably already spent hours and hours on the internet looking at pictures of hairstyles, makeup, formal wear, and the likes. You’ve certainly at least glanced at the many sites devoted to helping you choose a great prom dress. If you’ve done even a fraction of this, you’ve run into some pretty insane advice about prom at least once or twice. We know – we’ve done it too. There is some pretty sketchy information out there, but none is worse to us than the articles that give what we consider the worst advice ever about prom dresses. That is, “Don’t Buy Your Prom Dress Online!” The reality is that reputable online retailers offer a great selection of dresses in more styles and colors than most salons are able to carry. People claim to have a million horror stories about ordering prom dresses online, and for sure, there have been some unfortunate mishaps. However, like anything else, if you choose a reputable company, ordering a prom dress online can be fun, budget-conscious, and fabulous. Here are our success […]

While you may be familiar with many of the traditional expenses associated with prom – the prom dresses, tuxedos, corsages, boutonnieres, limousine, hair and makeup services – you might not realize that some people actually hire professional photographers to take prom photos before and after the big event. The “Official Photographer” Nearly every prom has an “official” photographer – it’s a type of fundraiser, generally to help offset the cost of the event. This photographer usually sends package information home before the prom, has a background and lights setup and is on hand to take posed formal photos of each couple. They also may take group photos and set up photo booths with props. The school or prom committee contracts this photographer and students order photos by package or print. Like many school-related photos, these packages can carry a weighty price tag, so budget at least $30 – $50 for a small photo package, and closer to the $100 range for more copies, or more for photo products and accessories. A couple has the option of splitting a package of course. Private Photographers Hiring a photographer privately is a different arrangement. Some families will contract for services during a pre-prom […]