You want to look beautiful on your big day, but don't know where to begin? Here are some helpful tips for doing your own make up for prom or for a special event.

• If you do decided to get your make up done by a make up artist, bring photo references of what you want the artist to achieve. Photos from magazines of your favorite celebrities with make up looks you like are very helpful.

• Make sure to keep up with your skincare routines during the weeks following up to your event! Who wants to have breakouts on the day of? The night before, apply a facial mask to make your face feel fresh before your big night.

• Make sure to apply a foundation primer before applying your foundation.

• Use a foundation that best matches your skintone. The last thing you want is uneven looking skin. When applying foundation, apply foundation to your neckline as well. Set your foundation with a loose powder. Remember: When it comes to foundation, less is more.

• Decide if you want to play up your eyes or lips. The rule of thumb is focus on the eyes/downplay lips or focus on the lips/downplay eyes

• Before doing any type of eye make up, make sure to apply an eyeshadow base to avoid creased eyeshadow before night's end. When it comes to eyeshadows, you don't have to be matchy matchy with the color of your dress. Use eyeshadows that compliments the dress by using contrast colors. Having trouble figuring out which eyeshadow colors best goes with your dress? Check out this entry about outfit/eyeshadow color combos I did a few months ago. Experiment with make up looks before your big night.

• Wear smudge proof/waterproof eyeliners and mascaras. Make up smudges are bound to happen on the dance floor if your not using waterproof formula eyeliners and mascaras.

• Want spicy up your eye make up look? Wear false eyelashes! Don't know how to apply false eyelashes? Check out this tutorial + pictures on Specktra.net.

• Keep blushes natural looking and a color that best matches your skintone.

• Make sure the lip color you choose doesn't wash out your face. Prime your lips with a lip balm before applying a lip color. Use a lip liner that best matches either your lipstick or lipgloss. Apply the lipliner first. This allows your lip color to last longer. When applying lipstick (if that's what you decide to use), make sure to apply it with a lip brush instead of applying it directly from the tube. This also helps prolonging the color.

• Special Event bag make up essentials; blotting sheets or pressed blotting powder compact, a mirror, lipstick or lip gloss, and eyeliner.