How To Accessorize Your Prom Dress

Finding a prom dress that is trendy and fashionable and makes you feel beautiful is only half of the battle. Once you find your dress, you should immediately begin thinking of all the finishing touches it will require. A prom dress is not complete without the make-up, shoes, and accessories to accompany it. If you are feeling a little overwhelmed or would like some suggestions on how to add the extra details that make you worthy of the prom queen title, check out the make-up, shoes, and accessories tips below. If you are a little too old for prom, remember that many of the tips below directly relate to wedding dresses and other formal gowns.

Make-up: The shades of make-up you purchase will depend upon your personal coloring and taste, as well as the color and style of your prom dress. In general, you should choose make-up shades that are a bit more glamorous than what you would normally wear, but not so wild that they will overwhelm your date and friends. If you are new to the world of make-up, find the color of your dress in the list below to determine the best shade of make-up to match:

Pink to Red: Rosy pink and light brown shades will best complement pink or red prom dresses.
Yellow to Orange: Look for shades in soft peach or rusty brown to complement your dress.
Blue to Green: Lavender, aqua, and dark sapphire shades will bring out the color in your dress and give you a fresh look.
White or Black: Lavender and light brown shades will soften the starkness of a white or black dress and add some color to your face.
Metallic: For a metallic dress, use light shades of cream, silver, or brown to highlight the shine of your dress.
Once you purchase the right shades of make-up for your dress, follow these tips to add a touch of extra glamour to your face:
Apply a double coat of dark mascara on your upper lashes and a single coat on your lower lashes to bring out your eyes.
Try using a bright shade of lipstick with a coat of gloss on top to create sexy, appealing lips.
Even if you do not normally use it, apply a soft cream blush to your cheeks to bring out a feminine glow.

Shoes: Your choice of shoes should depend upon the color and style of your prom dress and your level of comfort in the shoes. If you do not believe you can dance (or even walk) in a pair of stilettos, you can always choose a low-heeled option that can still be quite sexy. To discover what style of shoes you should be wearing with your dress, find your dress style in the list below:

Floor-Length, A-line, or Ball Gown: If your skirt brushes the floor or even includes a train, choose a simple pair of shoes to wear with it. A pointy-toed, medium-heeled shoe will sneak out from under your dress every once in a while and make the perfect fashion accompaniment.
Slinky and Skin-Tight: A slinky, sexy dress calls for a slinky pair of shoes to accompany it. If your dress shows off your curves in all the right places, try wearing a pair of strappy, open-toed sandals or sling-backs with a stiletto heel.
High-Low or Asymmetrically Hemmed: This type of gown (with its short hem in front) is likely to grant more attention to your shoes and feet than any other dress style. Be sure to choose a pair of shoes with a moderate to high heel that shape and tone your legs. Your shoes should also boast some glitter, sparkle, or other pizzazz to draw attention toward them. If you are wearing a solid color dress, metallic shoes will complement your dress and add some glamour to your look.

Jewelry, Purses, and Hair Accessories: The jewelry you wear, purse you carry, and hair accessories you apply will depend upon the style and detail of your dress. When choosing or borrowing accessories, pay attention to these important rules:

If your dress is quite glamorous and fancy, heavy jewelry and accessories will only weigh you down and take away from the glamour of your dress. Try to choose simple pieces that add to your appearance without stealing attention from your dress. On the other hand, if your dress is simple, it is very easy to add an extra touch of glamour with your jewelry and accessories. Look for fun pieces with some sparkle that will draw eyes toward you.
If your dress is low-cut or you are wearing your hair up, be sure to choose a necklace with enough length and flare to fill up the empty space on your neck and chest. The right necklace will make you look feminine and flirty, rather than promiscuous and immodest.
If your dress contains jewels, try to match your jewelry and hair accessories to the jewels in your dress. Look for rhinestones, pearls, or diamonds that are the same shape and size as those contained within your Flower girl dress. Matching your accessories with your dress will lend you a flawless, pulled-together look.
You may wish to purchase a clutch purse to accompany your prom dress, but be sure you feel comfortable checking it or leaving it with someone when the dancing starts. While a clutch will always give you something to do with your hands at a party, it may not be best when you want your hands free at the prom. Try looking for a handbag or small purse with a strap, instead.
Hair accessories add the perfect final touch to your hairstyle. Always consider adding a tiara, flower, or decorative clips to your prom hairstyle to quickly transform it from boring to beautiful.

With the perfect accessories in hand, you should enter the ballroom floor at your prom looking beautiful, glamorous, and ready to have a ball.