Teen makeup is so much fun because you cute girlies can really get away with the sparkle and gloss.

Homecoming makeup should over-all be light, pretty and colorful. In general, I think the best look is to use dark eyeliner right along the lash line and optionally the inner lid (tear) line, focusing on the outer ¾ of the eye. Then use a shimmery shadow over the entire lid, the color depending on what you’re wearing and personal preference. Finish the look with a lip-gloss that’s easy to touch up as the night goes on.

Here are a few color suggestions based on the dress:

-If your dress is red (like my niece) choose a red tinted gloss like Stila’s Red Apple. Use a golden or copper shadow (Urban Decay has a great selection) with just a touch of black or brown eyeliner along the lash line.

-If your dress has 80’s inspired neon colors, it could be fun to choose one of the bright colors for your lids such as a bright blue or purple. With a neon colored or accented dress, a matte or shimmery choice will look great for the shadow. Max Factor has a lot of bright colors out right now. Choose a hot pink lip-gloss.

-If your dress is black, well then don’t you have all the options? A color-matching idea is to use a colored purse or shoes and match your shadow to that. Another is nail polish. If you’re going to go black all the way, try a metallic shade on the eyes for kicks. L’oreal’s HiP line has great metallic options.

-For colored dresses it’s fun to match the shadow color, but it doesn’t have to be the same shade. If the dress is dark pink for example the shadow can be light pink.

-Ditching the dance and going to a party instead? Start out with the makeup as suggested, but try and bring a pair of jeans and a tee in your over-night bag (you should have already made plans to crash at the party house).

It would really be a shame to ruin your homecoming makeup look by being involved with drinking and driving or unsafe sex. Both have unflattering results.