It's my sixth form ball in about ten days and it's just dawned on me that I don't know what I'm doing with hair & makeup. I haven't got shoes or accessories yet either, but let's not dwell on that here.

I'm not very good at applying makeup, or rather, I never do anything interesting, I just put concealer under my eyes and on the other dodgy bits of my face and wear mascara. Do most people get their makeup done professionally for a ball? I have a fear that if I did that, they'd make me look too over the top, or they'd persuade me to have things done that I didn't really like and I'd look awful on the photos.

Also, hair...I don't really know what to do with my hair. I think it's most likely too late to book an appointment at my regular hairdressers with my usual stylist before the ball (7th July) but I could go to another or see if they have any cancellations...I wasn't sure whether people usually just do their hair themselves or go to a hairdressers before a ball.

My hair tends to look nice after I've just done it and then go frizzy as soon as I leave the house; in terms of makeup, I have no idea how to start applying something like foundation. What should I do?

most makeup counters if you spend a certain amoun t they will do your makeup for free. or alternatively charge like 40$ to do your makeup and then you get a 40$ credit to spend at the counter. i highly suggest doing that. then spend your credit on a lipstick for touchups through the night.
what is your hair like? long short curly straight? if you have more info people coiuld help a little more
dont freak on the 40$ thing. im talking au prices. england will be cheaper. like 10 quid maybe?

Yeah, I didn't really give much detail in that post. Ok, I have long auburn hair that has sort of loose curls, which I was thinking of wearing down (if I have it up, I'd be worried that the weight would pull it down. It is pretty heavy). Whatever I do would have to be simple and go with my dress. However, I'm worried that if I have it down, it might look like there's too much going on around my neck/chest because my dress has a gathered fabric at the front, a style which has a name, a name that I don't know. I'll see if I can find a picture on the internet; it's fairly plain since I'm not very adventurous and I wanted something I might actually be able to wear again!

I might nip into town and go to the Clinique counter in Beatties this Saturday, see what they'd be able to do for me. I'm really pale with freckles and blue eyes, but I don't usually wear much makeup (not because I have great skin, because I'm too lazy and I think it makes me look strange. I think I look quite boyish). At this point I'm not bothered about what it costs - I've spent a crazy amount on stuff so far and I'm just trying not to think about it. Besides, it's just been my birthday so I've got lots of spare cash.

straighten your hair maybe? and just wear it down. curls and a gathered dress does sound too busy to me.
what colour is the dress? have you found shoes and jewellery?

Yeah, that's what I feared. I don't want to look too 'busy'.

I don't have jewellery/shoes/bag yet (yes, I am unprepared, but I'm going to Birmingham on Monday to sort myself out...I've been doing nothing but exams for a long time).

I forgot to put, the dress is black. Here's a few pictures:





It looks a bit boring on the hanger, but really flattering on.