When I went to prom years ago, nothing could have prepared me for how much I'd cringe at my photos over a decade later. From the stiff curls to the dramatic eyeshadow, I can say with confidence that I would absolutely request a redo if given the chance. In an effort to minimize my embarrassment, I've convinced myself that this is a universal experience for every person who attended prom in high school. Our beauty director, Erin Jahns shares this sentiment. "Unfortunately, 2011 was the era of overly-plucked eyebrows, ultra-caked bronzer, concealer lips, and a completely unreasonable amount of spidery mascara and black eyeliner," she says.
If Erin could go back in time, she would, "probably cry and then call a makeup artist, stat." Luckily, as beauty editors, we don't need a special occasion (or a second prom, for that matter) to test out a new look or two, especially when SHEGLAM products exist. We can always count on SHEGLAM to deliver quality and wearability without high price points. Just for you, I tasked Erin with taking a walk down memory lane and creating two prom looks she would wear in 2025.
The inspiration: "I've always loved a shimmery and glittery makeup look, so I drew inspiration from looks I'd created before. Normally, I would choose between a sparkling lip or a sparkling eye, but I decided to really go for it and add pops of sparkle throughout my makeup routine. I'd wear this for a concert or a fun night out."
The upgrade: "The concept of 'less is more' was entirely foreign to me in high school, but hey, it was an era, and I've come a long way. If I were going to prom in 2025, I would choose just one or two features to focus on instead of using every single type of makeup product to the absolute max."
The process: "Brows are one of the most important steps in my routine, and I like to set them before I start adding other products. The Set Me Up Brow Hold in Crystal Clear creates the best hold without looking thick or gloopy. Next, I used the Wing It Waterproof Liner Duo (I opted for black!) to stamp a perfectly shaped wing on the outer corners of my eyes and used the liner end along my lash line to create a little more depth and connect the wing to the rest of my lid. My lashes are long but thin, so I used the volumizing brush end of the All-in-One Volume and Length Mascara to get a little more thickness and oomph. To create a super-glittery eye, I swiped the Crystal Jelly Glaze Stick in Starlit Silver on the inner corners of my eyes and lightly blended it out toward the center of my lid. I also tapped on a tiny bit of the Enigma Sparkly Eyeshadow in Pure.
I normally don't love a lot of shimmer on my cheeks, but I decided to highlight my cheekbones with the Enigma Sparkly Eyeshadow in Treasure (so pretty!) and add a light sweep of the Lunar Glow Highlighter in Vanilla Frost and Heart Galaxy. Last but not least were the lips. Before I added any glitter, I lined and added some pink color using the Glam 101 Lipstick Liner Duo in Berry Whip, and blotted with a tissue to get rid of any excess product. I then layered on the Pout-Perfect Shimmer Lip Plumper in Gold Rush and topped it with a short slide of the Mirror Kiss High Shine Lipstick in Own Your Shine. I really loved the shiny finish, but if you want more of a frosted matte look, you can blot it and still be left with exceptionally glittery lips!"
The inspiration: "I'm not someone who feels super comfortable wearing a super bright or dark lip color on a daily basis, but I've always been drawn to those moments on the red carpet when a celebrity has a truly jaw-dropping lip with barely anything else on the face. It's truly all you need! I can imagine wearing a look like this for a work event, a fancy dinner, or even a wedding."
The upgrade: "I love the idea of a rich, bold lip paired with glowing skin and a touch of mascara. These days, I also know that highlighting my long lashes or creating sun-kissed skin doesn't mean I need to apply more product—it's about selecting high-performing products in flattering shades that won't fight what nature gave you!"
The process: "After cleansing and moisturizing, I pressed the Good Grip Hydrating Primer into my skin. I let it set for about five minutes (this is crucial to prevent separation and pilling), then applied the Skin Magnet High Coverage Foundation Stick in the shade Bamboo directly to my skin and blended it out with a complexion brush. The foundation's coverage and finish are flawless. Next, I added a few dots of contour below my cheekbones, down both sides of my nose, and below my jawline with the Sun Sculpt Liquid Contour in the shade Soft Tan. Since the contour really just adds dimension, not warmth, I chased it with the Sun Beam Matte Liquid Bronzer in Toffee. I blot that on the high points of my face and wherever the sun would naturally hit my skin—my cheeks, forehead, nose, and the sides of my chin. The Sun Beam Bronzer makes my chin and jaw look more narrow—one of my favorite makeup hacks!
Next comes blush and highlighter. For the perfect flush of color that would complement—not fight—the bold lip I was planning, I used the Color Bloom Liquid Blush in Fine Wine. It's taken me years, but I've learned to never fear a deep or bright shade of blush. It will blend and soften more than you think it will, and you'll be left with cheeks that pop like an angel's. To enhance my cheeks and skin even more, I added just a touch of the Lunar Glow Highlighter in Tea Cake (obsessed!) to my Cupid's bow, the very tip of my nose, my brow bone, and the very top of my cheekbones. I went super light on eye makeup, using the Pro Precision Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner to tightline my upper lashline (this makes your lashes look more dense at the root!) and a quick coat of the lengthening and lifting side of the All-in-One Volume and Length Mascara. Next, I wanted super rich and juicy pigment, so I went with the Mirror Kiss High-Shine Lipstick in Vibe Check, a stunning, ultra-glossy shade of brick red. Even though the lipstick gave me lots of gorgeous shine and color, I wanted to take it a notch further. For my very last step, I dabbed a light shot of the Bold Booster Lip Plumper in Cherry Gleam to the center of my upper and lower lips."
