The Genius Guide to Pre-Prom Prep

Since you scored a cute date AND a killer dress, you’re too psyched to deal with deets.
Follow our guide till the doorbell rings – then you’re on your own.
By Joanna Douglas

Two Weeks Before
DON'T EXPECT MIRACLE SKIN
Get religious about skincare two weeks prior to the big night. Wash your face with salicylic acid, and no product experimentation from here on out-unexpected rashes and irritations are no fun.  

Two Weeks Before
GET A DYE JOB
The prom is about looking your best, not looking like someone else. Major changes should happen weeks in advance so you can dye and re-dye till you like what you get. Even a trim could be treacherous the day of. Hey, ya never know. 

One Week Before
GET A DEPARTMENT STORE MAKEOVER
If you want to swing by your favorite counter for ideas Beforehand, that could be a great idea. But don't let the makeup artist go wild with purple eyeliner pre-party or you may have to hit the dance floor with two pseudo-black eyes.

One Week Before
WEAR BRAND NEW SHOES
Wear them around the house a little in advance. Your brother will make fun of you, but when the other girls are in stiletto hell on prom night we'll see who has the last laugh.

Three Days Before
WAX/TWEEZE
Leg hair and 'staches should be removed a few days in advance to avoid red bumps and irritations. Tweezing can happen the day Before.

The Day Before
GET A MANI/PEDI
Polish can take a few hours to completely dry and without fail, you'll end up smudging it.

The Day Before
WASH HAIR
Like second day hair better? So do we. Shampoo and deep condition now.

The Day Before
SLEEP
Force yourself to go bed by 11pm. They call it beauty sleep for a reason.

10 Hours To Go
EAT RIGHT
Avoid stinky foods today (bad breath = no smooching) and drink tons of water to keep hydrated for an evening of booty shaking. Say no to McDonalds or anything carbonated. You'll look better and won't feel all icky and bloated.

5 Hours To Go
EXFOLIATE
If your skin is dry, use a scrub head-to-toe for ultra softness. A hot and cold shower combo will get your energy flowing (wear a shower cap if needed). Likewise, a nice long soak in the tub will calm you if you're as excited as a toddler with a sugar rush.

5 Hours To Go
SHAVE
Now that the hair on your legs has plumped up in the shower, apply a nice thick layer of shaving cream, wait a minute, bust out a spanking new blade and shave. Take your time and be extra careful around knees and ankles.

5 Hours To Go
Touch up any little nicks in your polish. (And since you were such a smart girl, you bought/brought in polish when you got your mani/pedi yesterday so you're all good to go.)

3 Hours To Go
PREP HAIR
Put it up in rollers or in a loose twist with a comb (read: no elastics = no treacherous bumps) while getting ready.

3 Hours To Go
MOISTURIZE
Apply lotion over your whole body. No skimping on feet since they'll be doing overtime. Avoid smoothing kinds-acids can irritate just shaved skin.

BREATHE
Slip into your bathrobe and relax for a bit. Make sure you're not stressing. This is supposed to be fun, dude!

1 Hour To Go
STYLE YOUR UPDO...OR DON'T
Those styling tools can make you work up a sweat, so make sure hair comes before makeup. Be sure you have all the necessary bobby pins, sprays and smoothing gels at your disposal the day before.

1 Hour To Go
PUT YOUR FACE ON
Do your usual skin regimen, then apply your makeup (which of course you've planned out in advance). Tip: Before applying elaborate eye makeup, add a thick layer of loose powder below that you can easily swipe off afterwards.

30 Minutes To Go
LAST MINUTE TOUCH UPS
 Apply lip color and a mist of your signature perfume. Remember, less is more.

10 Minutes To Go
CHECK THE MIIRROR
Yes, you're obsessing, no, there's no lipstick on your teeth.

10 Minutes To Go
PREPARE EMERGENCY KIT
Blotting papers, mints, lipstick, concealer to hide runaway eyemakeup and your camera. A girl this pretty and well put-together deserves eternal posterity.

For More Prom Tips, Visit ELLEgirl.com/prom.