Finest Hour Week: Makeup

Finest Hour Week continues! Today, I’m spilling the deets on prom-perfect makeup. If you’re committed to handling your makeup yourself instead of hitting up your fave associate at a beauty counter, this post’s for you. Here, a roundup of the essential cosmetics you’ll want in your arsenal for your big night out. Check it.

PixiGlow Collection For Target
The Tinkerbell-inspired collection boasts the most incredible iridescent pinks and greens imaginable, as only the famed Petra Strand could dream up. I’m loving the palette, which includes a sick gloss I’ve nearly used up entirely and neutral, sheer washes of color for the eyes. AND, the Endless Silky Eye Pen in 2nd Star Twinkle is the EXACT olive-gold-green shade of my eyes. In short, I live for this set. Pieces range in price from $8 to $34 at target.com.

Sonia Kashuk Perfecting Transparent Mattifier
When the goal is to show up for pictures airbrushed, you’ll want a shine-free face sans powdery feel. Sonia’s new powder alternative is GENIUS. The paraben-free formula goes on smooth to give your face a satin finish. Rock it under makeup to block out oil, or on top to keep makeup in place. It’s perfect for all skin types and diffuses light to give your face a photo-ready look. $14.99 at target.com.

Shiseido Shimmering Rouge Lipstick in Venus
It’s your fire AND your desire. This lip color glides on like a balm but provides a rich, pigmented matte payoff that’s longlasting and yet yields the teeniest bit of glistening shine. Swipe it on and it’ll leave a patchless stain for hours on end. It’s officially my favorite lipstick of the spring. $25 at shiseido.com.

Chantecaille Gel Foundation
When you want a flawless canvas, look no further than Chantecaille. This brand is an Angelina Jolie favorite and it’s no coincidence that she always looks INCRED. This gel foundation blends away redness and blemishes in no time and leaves the most dewy, baby smooth complexion in its wake. $72 at nordstrom.com.

Tom Ford Shade & Illuminate
Every once in a while, there’s a product (or even a beauty brand) that makes me want to quit it all and just STOP this whole testing products thing because I’ll never find anything that tops the excellence of THIS. And that’s exactly how I feel about Tom Ford Beauty in general, but specifically the Shade & Illuminate palette, which includes a cream bronzer-type shader and a light, mildly shimmery white highlighter to sculpt cheekbones, highlight browbones and slim the nose. I mean, just try it and channel your inner Kevyn Aucoin (and spill a little bronzer out in honor of our fallen hero). You’re going to die when you see how THIN you can make your face. A bit pricey at $75, but the large palette will last you at least a year. Saks.com.

Armour Lip Gloss in Diana
With shea butter, avocado, mango seed and grapeseed oil, this will act as your balm and your gloss in one; ideal for teeny tiny clutches. Diana is the perfect nude-ish pink shade to rock with a smoky eye. $21 at armourbeauty.com.

Paula Dorf Lip Color Sheer Tint in First Love
Appropriately named for a prom pout prettifier, this sheer lipstick is ideal for lipstick newbies who want a little more pigment for pictures. The sheer shade is non-drying, goes on without drag (because obv, that’s a DRAG) and imparts a kiss of color without overpowering. $22 at beauty.com.