Julyne: I am dying to know, what makeup products and brands do you swear by?
Cassandra: I love Urban Decay! Their sparkly eyeshadows are unlike any other brand. Chopper (buy it online) has been to my go-to shade for years -- it looks great against brown hair and brown eyes. For years I would apply it over a fresh coat of lotion so the sparkles would stick to my eyelids and not settle down on my cheeks. Now, they have a special Primer Potion that I coat my lids with that does the trick.
My go-to eyeliner brand is Mattése Elite. It’s a kohl pencil liner that just glides on. I’m not good with liquid liner, and a lot of pencils are too dry. Mattése Elite is the perfect blend.
For concealer, you can’t go wrong with MAC. It makes my skin look Photoshopped in pictures.
I also like MAC lipstick. It has the staying power!
Check out Cassandra's article How to Wear Red Lipstick With a Formal Dress.
What about skincare?
Pond’s Wet Cleansing Towelettes in Evening Soothe (buy it online). I use them in place of washing my face. I don’t use any face soap, ever. They remove all of my makeup and honestly keep my break-out prone skin clear.
I also swear by Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Moisturizer. It’s a bit pricey, but worth it. People always comment on my “glow” after I use it!
If I do have a zit, I dab a bit of Kiehl’s Acne Blemish Control Daily Skin-Clearing Treatment on it. I don’t know how it works, but it’s kind of magical.
What’s in your purse right now?
Yeesh! Ok, these are random items: A receipt from Goodwill (I just donated some old clothes), a receipt from my favorite restaurant in L.A. (take out is so much easier than cooking), a seating ticket for an L.A. Fashion Week runway show, about 20 of my own business cards, two business cards from people I just met, cold-hard cash (and some change), my license and debit card. Usually I have lip gloss as well.
Check out Cassandra's article Find the Perfect Evening Clutch.
Can you share a few of your favorite tried-and-true beauty tips?
I like to “freeze” my makeup after I apply it. I literally open up my freezer door and stick my face in it for about 15 seconds. It helps my makeup stay on a little longer. I don’t remember when I picked up this tip, but I read it in a magazine at some point during my teen years. I’m also prone to dry skin, especially on my legs, so after I get out of the shower, I pat my legs dry with a towel instead of rubbing the towel up and down. It keeps the moisture in.
You write about proms, homecoming and cotillions for About.com. How have these formals changed from when you were in high school?
I don’t think the actual dance has changed that much- but the after parties have! When I went to prom, there were house parties and sleepovers afterward. Now, a lot of kids are going to clubs in nearby cities or even renting houses at a beach for the rest of the weekend.
For kids who want to keep the party going, I came up with some fun after prom ideas.
Also, the way guys and girls are asking each other to the dance is different. When I was in high school, you literally just asked the person. Now, the asking-process is very elaborate. There are surprise visits in the middle of class, banners hung in school, original songs, flowers, candles… these are just some of the things I’ve seen. It’s very special, and truly unforgettable.
Can you believe Kate Middleton did her own makeup for her wedding which billions of people (ok, maybe millions) watched. Would you recommend girls do their own makeup for prom?
Wow! I didn’t know she did her own makeup. She looked like herself… and for that reason, I do recommend that girls do their own makeup for prom. They know what colors and looks work for them. Makeup artists are fun, but sometimes you end up looking like a totally different person.
If a girl is going to do her own makeup, I recommend that she practice at least once a few days before the dance so she can get the look down. And, she should take photos so she can reference exactly how she applied it.
I put together a few celeb-inspired makeup tutorials on my site:
- Prom Makeup: Blake Lively’s Two-Toned Eyes
- Bella Thorne’s Shimmery Eyes
- Prom Makeup: Rihanna’s Rosy Hue
What are the makeup trends for formal dances these days?
Black eyeliner, always.
What about hair?
For updos, it’s all about braids and twists. I’m also seeing the high (artfully) messy bun creep onto the red carpet a bit more. For girls who want to wear their hair down, wavy locks are the way to go.
Also, any Blake Lively hairstyle. Girls seriously COVET her hair.
I put together some photo galleries of my favorite formal hair looks- most of them are perfect for any kind of party!
- Curly Updo Hairstyles for Prom and Homecoming
- Homecoming Hairstyles for Short Hair
- Blake Lively Hairstyles
People go all out these days on their nails. In fact, one’s nails are an accessory all to themselves. What nail trends do you see for homecoming and prom?
I love that creative nails are back! When O.P.I. released their Black Shatter shade, they unleashed a storm. Bejeweled nails, manicures with a single nail painted a different color from the rest, stick-on patterns and hand-drawn nail art are very in right now.
I picked out some of my favorite red carpet manicures to give my readers some new nail ideas for prom.
What makeup mistake do you see girls making? (I can’t stand overdone makeup on a naturally pretty girl. A full face of makeup when you’re 17 is just too much! And orange tans. Yuucch!)
I do hate the orange tan look, but I also don’t like when young girls get too much natural sun… they’re causing so much UV damage and they don’t realize it!
What products do you feel are most worth the splurge?
Sulfate-free shampoo. It used to be very expensive, but now L’Oreal makes an affordable line! Also, Kiehl’s lotion, lip balm and face masks. And, if I really want to treat myself -- microdermabrasion. It’s very pricey, but I always have smoother skin and more even tone after.
Mind sharing the 5 most popular articles on your site?
One of the most popular articles right now is How to Ask a Girl to Homecoming. It can be nerve-wracking and these guys want to get it just right! For the other four articles… why not check out my prom site and see what you like?
Cassandra Morris is About.com's Guide to Prom & Formal Dances. Check out her Website for today's hottest formal occasion tips, tricks, trends and deals.
