Prom Tips

Dress?...Check! Shoes?...Check! Jewelry?...Check! Hmm...what's left?

A clutch! It's the one thing that will pull your whole look together and of course hold all of your necessities. Since you won't be bringing a regular sized purse with you, you can't bring everything you own! It's important to be prepared...but you also don't want to over pack. So, to make it easier for you to decide what to bring and what to leave out, we went through the must-haves for a perfectly packed clutch. Listed below are the necessities - besides "feminine products" - you'll need to bring with you for the biggest night of the year!

Powder Finish

Makeup is part of getting all dolled up. Making it last all night is a task, so make sure you bring some back-up to keep it from running and to retouch your makeup. A loose powder finish is ideal to carry in your clutch. Here's a tip from the pros at Teen Vogue:

"Packing a powder is something I battle with a lot because of all the teeny tiny clutches on the red carpet. But if you tend to be really shiny, you can just take a little bit of loose powder and put it on your powder puff before wrapping it in a tissue. Use that instead of carrying around a big compact!"

Blotting Papers

"Obviously they're great for reducing shine, but you can also use them to blot your lips. And if your eyelids tend to get a little oily, you can use them there too, so your eye makeup doesn't start creasing."

You can find the ones shown above at your local Sephora store!

You're going to be eating, drinking, and talking all night...so you may find that your lip color is struggling to last through it all. Add lipstick or lip gloss to your clutch like the one shown above from Mac! If you don't feel like retouching your lips all night, try sticking with a lip stain. It should last all night!

Bring in backup for your Hair

If you have an updo, or even a half-up/half-down look, it's a great idea to bring backup bobby pins. You'll never know how your hair is going to turn out by the end of the night, especially if you're probably going to be busting a move on the dance floor!

Don't Forget Your Camera!

Remember to bring your camera to capture all the moments to look back at the good times! You'll of course want to have memories of how fab you looked!

If you're still looking for that perfect clutch to go with your gown, here's information on the clutches that we used in our Polyvore set above:

1. Helen's Heart Style FP 2919 Black Clutch - Organza bow clutch with rhinestone detail and a kiss lock closure.

2. La Regale 27058 Chain Mail Clutch - Metal mesh clutch from La Regale with an optional strap. The rhinestone closure adds an extra touch of sparkle to this evening bag.

Source: Teen Vogue

Prom is approaching fast and with the school year coming to an end, everything is piling up and we're sure you're overwhelmed with stress. Unfortunately, stress comes with an unwelcomed guest...zits! Before you start panicking and trying a million types of cleansers and creams, why not try to avoid mother nature and end it before it starts?

Many people don't realize it all starts from the inside. What you eat shows on your skin, and your skin needs vital nutrients to keep it healthy and clear. You're only weeks away from prom so let's get started now! Below are some of the best foods to eat to have immaculate skin. Follow these suggestions and you'll be the most confident person on the dance floor!

Water

We put water first for a reason..it's the most important! Drinking 8-10 cups a day is a healthy amount to keep in mind. Just making a simple switch from sugary soda to water can do wonders! By flushing out all those toxins out of your body, it'll help accelerate the healing process of any current blemishes and help prevent new ones.

Fish (Omega 3s)

Eating fish is awesome for your skin! Fatty fishes like salmon are loaded with Omega 3s and they're anti-inflammatory. Once or twice a week should do the trick.

Not a big fan of fish? There are other ways to get Omega 3s like walnuts, beans, fish oil pills, and flax-seed oil. Fish oil pills are also great to take as part of your work out plan.

Whole Grains

Fiber-packed whole grains work like a charm! Whole grain carries a lot of antioxidants. Highly-processed grains like white bread don't carry the antioxidants that helps fight acne. Be careful picking "Whole Grain" foods. Look for the nutrition label and make sure it's low in sugar and high in fiber. Some packaging labels can be misleading.

Lots of Green Veggies

Leafy greens contain lots of fiber and antioxidants, as well. All the nutrients you need to have a healthy glow to your skin. Maybe it's time to start listening to mom and start eating those veggies!

Green Tea (Antioxidants)

Another easy way to get antioxidants is just by drinking green tea! Besides all the health benefits from green tea, it helps prevent pimples. It's an anti-inflammatory. But, beware of the sugary bottled green tea!

Do you have other solutions to getting clear skin? Let us know in a comment below!

Source: NaturalFishOilHealth.com, ModernHealthDigest.com, Care2.com, MNN.com

Prom is only weeks away, and we're sure that you're ready to bust a move on the dance floor. But, before the biggest night of the year, you have to make sure everything goes perfect...down to the nitty gritty details! In order to have a stress-free night, try to get everything done way in advance and have a handy check list. We are here to guide you through this stressful preparation, so we came up with important tips to follow for your dazzling night! This is a great list to print out and keep with you in the coming weeks to make sure there's nothing you forget!

Make sure your dress is tailored to perfection

Most of the time, dresses don't fit perfectly. You don't want to be uncomfortable and swimming in your dress! Go to the right seamstress and have her tailor it to your size and length. The length is especially important - you don't want it dragging on the dance floor. Make sure to bring the shoes you plan on wearing that night so that the seamstress can hem the dress properly.

Choose your Hair Style

Your hair is crucial! Make sure you book your appointment early enough in the day to give yourself plenty of time to get ready for Prom - you don't want to be late! Search for hairstyle ideas online and in magazines and bring pictures in with you so that the hairdresser knows what you want. You should also consider how it will look with your dress. Up-dos and half up-dos are great for one shoulder or high neck dresses. Strapless gowns can go with just about any hairstyle. One fun way to keep track of the hairstyles you like and compare them to each other is to make a Pinterest board.

Makeup and Nails to Compliment your Dress

You might want to book an appointment for makeup and nails also. You never know how crowded your favorite nail salon might be or how long the wait is for makeup. Getting a manicure and pedicure a couple days before is a great way for making prom day errands easier - just make sure that you don't chip them! If your prom dress is loaded with beads or has super bright colors, it's better to tone down your makeup and nails. Neutral nail colors and neutral eyeshadow colors are best with bright colors, lots of beading, and print. If you are wearing a neutral colored dress, you can go crazy...bold lips and bright nail polish for a pop of color!

Add some Bling with Jewelry

Jewelry is another important detail. It for the most part has the same makeup and nails rule; if you're wearing a blinged out sequin dress, you're going to want to tone down the jewelry. Otherwise, you'll have sparkle overload! Too much can overkill your whole look, so try to keep it simple.

Complete your Look with your Shoes

Your shoes are what completes your look. You don't want to look like your in pain in a gorgeous dress. Practice makes perfect! Try breaking them in a few weeks before. If that doesn't help, try slipping in padding or insoles. If your shoes are too tight, find a local shoe repairman and have them stretched out. You'll have a more confident walk!

Add a Hint of Personality with your Purse

A purse is always a great way to add some personality to any outfit. Pick a simple bag that blends in with your dress, or choose a funky clutch that's the statement piece of your outfit! Just remember, depending on your dress and jewelry, you don't want to be too blinged out.

Don't forget your Camera!

Of course, the most important accessory of all is your camera! It's a special night, and you'll want to take all the photos you can. Whether a disposable, a point-and-shoot, or the handy dandy camera on your smart phone, just make sure that you have plenty of room to take lots and lots of pictures. And, ideally, have something small enough that fits in your purse!

Prom Dress? Check! Shoes? Check! Purse? Check! Your prom outfit isn't quite finished yet, though! Your prom hairstyle is the icing on the cake to finish your perfect prom look, so if you haven't started thinking about what to do with your lovely locks yet, it's time to do so!

Braids are a popular trend this year, and Bella Thorne rocks the look so well!

When it comes to deciding how to do your hair, there are four rules that will lead you down the right path to the perfect look:

1. Just as we started this post, make sure you choose your dress first. Your hair style should complement your dress, not compete with it! If you have a busy dress, picking a simple hairstyle may be the way to go. Or, if you choose a certain style of dress, you want to make sure that your hair follows that style.
2. Keep your personality in mind. Your number one priority at prom should be making sure you feel comfortable, and that includes everything from feeling confident in the dress you choose to the hairstyle and make-up you wear. If you're a more casual girl that isn't the biggest fashionista, then going with a more simple hairstyle may be right for you. If you love dressing up from head to toe every day, find the perfect formal up-do to rock all night!
3. Don't fight your natural hair texture; work with it. If you're going to a hair salon to get your hair done, ask your stylist what would look best with your hair type. If you'll be doing your own hair, there's plenty of sites on the internet with recommendations for what to try for various hair types.
4. Remember that it's the Information Age; with how the internet is becoming increasingly more social, your prom photos are bound to be around for years to come. Choose a hairstyle that's timeless and won't be embarrassing 30 years from now!

Get Reese Witherspoon's Old Hollywood look with loose curles

Do you know how you want to wear your hair at prom? Let us know by leaving a comment below!

Source: beauty.about.com

This week's prom trend has been becoming more and more popular over the past couple of years. It seems like everybody wants to show off their legs! If you want to go for that super girly-girl look, this trend will definitely suit your needs.

We love the short prom dress look! It's fun and easy to move around in so you can break it down on the dance floor. We also love the short look because it's so perfect for those that are obsessed with shoes. With this look, make sure to find the perfect statement heels to wear with your outfit. To complete your look, try moisturizing your lovely stems with some shimmery liquid bronzing lotion!

Our favorite short little numbers are below, but there's definitely a ton more out there this year. If you want to browse through them all, just click here!

1. Sherri Hill 21156 -Elegant and classy strapless cocktail dress with intricate beaded detail around the bodice and sweetheart neckline, with a lace overlay.

2. La Femme 18418 Electric Purple Cocktail Dress - Fun and flirty cocktail dress with a layered chiffon skirt. The bodice is sequin with a sweetheart neckline, empire waist, and satin piping along the bodice.

3. Sticks & Stones by Mori Lee 9199 Sunset Tulle Dress - A fun short strapless ombre tulle dress with beading and a corset back.

Do you like the short look? Leave us a comment and let us know below!

A cutout design can add uniqueness to any silhouette. It's a sexy way to show a little skin without giving away too much...leaving the rest to the imagination. Whether it's for a night out on the town or a formal event, cutout dresses are the must-have trend of the season.

There's many different ways and places that you can wear a cutout dress. Just make sure that when you do rock this look, you do so in a classy way by choosing a dress where the cutout isn't too revealing.

Celebrities Wearing the Cutout Look

Many celebs are taking this modern style to the red carpet. It can go anywhere from modest - like Rooney Mara - to super seductive - like Nikki Reed. Take notes ladies...these stars know how to work it!

Actress Rooney Mara

Actress Nikki Reed

Finding a Cutout Dress for the Holidays

Still stressing out about what to wear for this holiday season? Why not take this chic trend to your next holiday social gathering! The two cocktail dresses below couldn't be any more perfect - they both have Holiday colors and the sexy cutouts!

1. Sticks and Stones by Mori Lee 9198 - Teal sparkly sequin dress with long sleeves and side cutouts.

2. Sparkle 71106 - Red one shoulder jersey cocktail dress with side cutouts.

Wearing a Cutout Dress to Prom

This trend is definitely one you also might want to wear for the biggest dance of the year. It's a fun way to spruce up a prom dress - just make sure it's done in style. Check out our favorite prom gowns with the cutout look below - all reveal just enough skin to add a hint of sexy to the dress! They are all from the queen of designers when it comes to the cutout look: Jovani.

1. Jovani 2136 - Black floor length prom dress with a drop waist, cutouts, and a asymmetrical neckline. This one reminds us of Rooney Mara's gown!

2. Jovani 7506 - Sequin chiffon cutout evening gown featuring beaded straps and embellishment with an open back.

3. Jovani 1927 - Strapless floor length gown featuring beautiful beading surrounding cut outs on the front and back. The cut-out looks a butterfly!

Are you taking this trend to a holiday party? Maybe prom? Which one is your favorite cutout dress? Tell us what you think by leaving a comment below!

This year's presidential election couldn't have been more exciting! With President Obama now back in office for a second term, we wanted to dedicate this Fitness Friday to his number one gal - Michelle Obama, of course!

Not only is the first lady an intelligent and admirable person, but she has awesome arms and amazing shoulders. They always manage to steal the show wherever they go!

First Lady Michelle Obama

Most of you probably skip the arm workouts. Listen ladies, men aren't the only ones who need to work out their arms, especially if you really want to rock your favorite sleeveless dress!

Believe it or not, you can actually get those chiseled Michelle Obama arms without even hitting the gym! Women's Health Magazine put together a simple arm workout that you can break out wherever you are - all you need is a set of 5-8 pound dumbbells! Check out the tips below so you can show off those sexy triceps and biceps and look fab at your next formal event! Just make sure to do the workout four to six times a week to get those arms in proper shape.

STANDING V RAISE:
1. Hold a dumbbell in each hand and stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, arms at your sides, and palms in.

2. With arms straight but not locked, raise the weights diagonally in front of you, so that your arms form a V shape, until your arms are parallel to the floor

3. Hold for one second, then go back to where you started. Do 12 to 15 reps.

SHOULDER PRESS:
1. Holding a pair of dumbbells just above your shoulders, palms facing each other, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent

2. Press the weights until your arms are straight overhead

3. Hold for one second, then take three seconds to lower the dumbbells back to your shoulders. Do six to eight reps.

ROTATING TRICEPS KICKBACK:
1. Stand with your knees bent and lean forward slightly, with a dumbbell in each hand. Bend your right elbow to bring the dumbbell to your side, making your upper arm parallel with the floor

2. Press the dumbbell back, and as you straighten your arm, rotate it so that your palm faces the ceiling

3. Rotate it back so that your palm faces in, and return your arm to the bent position. Do 12 to 15 reps with each arm.

Source: Women's Health Magazine

Whenever you purchase a special dress you need to make sure your dress size is right.  Each dress designer has a slightly different size chart, so before you place an order for a formal dress, you need to check to make sure the size you're buying matches the size of your measurements.  In order to do this, follow these easy steps to find your dress measurements.

For more information, look into the size charts from each designer dress company.