BY ANGELA SKANE   |   St. Petersburg High
 

So, it’s the day of prom and you’re stuck in seventh period. The class feels as if it’s been dragging on for hours; how on Earth will you make it to your makeup counter and hair appointments before picture-taking and dinner?
 

A fast, easy and cheap solution is to do your own makeup for prom. Yes, I said DO IT YOURSELF. Even if you aren’t Kat Von D, you still can pull off a look that doesn’t scream amateur.
 

First rule: Palettes are your best friend. They combine colors that blend well, and most brands label each color with the location on your lid where it should go. Prices listed are from Target; you can find most of these brands at drugstores or even the grocery cosmetic aisle. We used Maybelline New York’s Modern Metallics palette in sunlit bronze powder ($4.94). The subtle gold hues are easy to work with and they aren’t too bold, which makes them good to pair with whatever you’re wearing.

If you want to add a pop of color and shimmer, Maybelline New York’s Eyestudio trio of cream shadows in purple possibilities ($5.49) is a nice partner with the gold shadows. These shadows are cream so they can be used as a liner if you don’t want to try and blend the creams with the powder shadows.
 

On the top lid, use a color liner, like Rimmel London’s Soft Kohl, Kajal eye liner pencil in purple passion ($3.14). This purple on the top will go well with the purple cream shadow, unlike black, which wouldn’t match or blend with your shadows. Use black liner — black magic from Rimmel London Special Eyes Precision eye liner pencil (also $3.14) — to line the inside of your bottom lid. Accentuate the colors of the shadow by using the purple cream shadow to line the outer corner of your bottom lid. We used Covergirl Lash Blast Fusion mascara in black ($7.99).
 

Finish off with your lips. The darker shades have an elegant feel to them. Try Rimmel London’s Moisture Renew burgundy shine ($4.94) and bordeaux ($4.17) lipstick together for the perfect blend of colors. 
 

You’ll save time and money, and all these pieces are small and compact to fit easily in your clutch for a mid-evening touchup.
 

University of Tampa freshman Allura Gabay used inexpensive makeup on model Summer Constantinou, pictured above, a junior at St. Petersburg High School.