DIY Makeup Tips for Homecoming: Elegant Results for Fall Formals

Who doesn't want to look her best for the big homecoming dance? Here are some simple tips to help keep your homecoming look in style and on budget. Good luck!

1. You Don't Have to Spend a Fortune on Makeup to Look Great

You want to look and feel great for the special occasion of homecoming. That's a fine ambition. But you don't have to blow all of your spending money to do so. Especially if you've splurged on a dress, there's no need to get your makeup professionally done for the big night. Even if you're not great when it comes to applying makeup, most of us know someone willing to help out.

Whether it be from your group of friends or your parents' friends, try to find someone who can do a polished makeup look that you'll be happy with and that won't break the bank. If you can find someone to apply your makeup for free, simply buying the products you'll use will likely be more cost effective than hiring out for professional help.

2. Practice Ahead of Time with Different Colors and Techniques

There are millions of ways to do makeup. If you're going to apply your own makeup for your homecoming dance, practice beforehand with the shades and products you intend to use on your big night. You're probably aiming for a more dramatic and sophisticated look than you normally go for on a day-to-day basis so it's important to do a makeup run-through in advance.

If you're asking someone else to your homecoming makeup, don't trust that your friend will arbitrarily find out in one night how you want your makeup done. Everyone has a different face shape, a different bone structure, different angles and crevasses and on and on. Even if you love the way your friend does her makeup, chances are, it's not going to look the same on you.

Get with the person you've asked to do your homecoming makeup ahead of the big day to practice using different colors and different techniques on your face. Some people look good in blues; some people don't. Some people have allergic reactions to brand X, and others have problems with brand Y. You'd hate to wait until the night of your homecoming to find out that your new mascara irritates your eyes and causes redness and constant crying.

Find out in advance what look you want to achieve with your makeup so that you'll feel completely comfortable and beautiful with what's being done on the day of homecoming.

3. Be Prudent but Have Fun

Yes, you shouldn't spend a fortune. And yes, you're young and should look your age. But, on the other hand, this is a formal occasion! It's fun to whip out fake eyelashes every now and then. And it's fine to go for bold and beautiful lips. If you don't one-hundred percent correlate your looks and self-worth, then it can be fine to get gussied up every so often-homecoming being one of those potentially appropriate occasions.

You're going to take lots of pictures, and you're going to want to remember how cute your date is. You're going to remember how fun this part was, and how awkward that part made you feel. It's all part of the big night. And if you want to spend a few extra dollars here and there helping you realize how beautiful you already are, I say go for it. Yes, you should be responsible. But yes, you should have fun too!