How to Prepare Your Hair and Skin for Prom?

Your guide to looking and feeling your absolute best on the big night

Prom is one of those magical moments that will stay with you for years — the dress, the photos, the laughter, and of course, your hair and makeup. At Arena Creative Hair, we know how important it is to feel confident and glowing on prom night, which is why we’ve created this simple, stress-free guide to get your skin and hair looking their very best.

Skin Prep: Start a Week Before

Your skin is the canvas for your makeup, so giving it some extra love in the week leading up to prom really does make a difference.

✔ Exfoliate — but gently

Use a mild exfoliator about a week before prom to remove dead skin cells and brighten your complexion. Then, the day before prom, use a gentler scrub or enzyme-based product to keep skin smooth without irritation.

✔ Hydrate like it’s your job

Drinking plenty of water is the secret to radiant skin. Aim for 6–8 glasses a day in the week before your event — your skin (and energy levels) will thank you!

✔ Moisturise daily

Morning and night, give your skin the hydration it craves. A light, nourishing moisturiser will help your makeup sit beautifully and last longer.

✔ Eat well

We promise — what you eat really does show on your skin. Incorporate lots of fruit, veg, and healthy fats in the lead-up to prom. You’ll likely notice a glow-up from the inside out!

✔ Get your beauty sleep

Try to get as many early nights as possible during the week before prom. Sleep helps your skin repair, reduces puffiness, and helps you feel calmer and refreshed.

✔ Don’t skip cleansing

Make sure you're thoroughly removing your makeup each night. Wash, tone, and moisturise before bed to keep breakouts at bay and your skin balanced.

✔ Tidy up those blackheads

If you're prone to blackheads, consider using a blackhead-removing mask or tool about a week before prom — not the night before. Avoid squeezing spots; it’s far easier to cover a flat blemish than a sore, crusty one.

✔ Lashes & Brows

We’re all about enhancing your natural beauty at Arena. For lashes, we recommend temporary individual or strip lashes for prom — they look more natural than heavy falsies and allow us to apply them after eyeshadow so everything stays in place.
And don’t forget the brows! A tidy-up (either at home or with a beautician) makes such a difference in framing your face.

Let’s Talk Fake Tan…

Personally, I think a subtle glow can look gorgeous — especially when you use a natural-looking, moisturising gradual tan. It builds up slowly and gives you that sun-kissed look without going over the top.

But keep in mind: fake tan can alter your skin tone, which might make you feel a little less like “you” — and it can affect how your makeup looks too. The right products will still look amazing, but it’s something to be aware of.Also, be careful of transfer! Fake tan can rub off onto clothes — not ideal if you're wearing light colours to prom.

Top tip: Always read how to apply fake tan properly. Exfoliating and moisturising beforehand is essential if you want that smooth, natural finish (no patchy elbows here!).

Hair Prep: Clean, Fresh & Styled to You

How your hair looks on prom night depends not just on the style you choose, but also how you prepare it.

✔ Clean hair is key

We recommend washing your hair either the night before or the morning of your appointment, depending on your hair type. Avoid straightening it beforehand, as it can affect how the style holds — especially if we’re curling or creating texture.

✔ Consultation = no surprises

We have a simple online consultation form you can fill out before your appointment. You’ll be able to upload inspiration pics of your desired prom look, plus a photo of yourself. This helps us tailor our advice, especially if your hair is naturally curly or if you have specific needs around styling or products.

✔ Curls, waves, or sleek & chic?

Whether you want soft waves, an elegant updo, or something in-between, our team will guide you on how best to prep your hair for your chosen style — including tips for curly hair, fine hair, or styles that need extra hold.

Makeup That Feels Like You

At Arena, we specialise in natural-looking makeup that enhances your features — not covers them. We want you to still feel like you, just with a little added glow and polish for your big night.

As an added bonus, during your appointment we’ll identify your skin tone — which means you’ll leave not only looking beautiful for prom, but also with personalised tips for future makeup and hair colour choices. That’s the Arena difference.

Final Thoughts

Prom night is a big deal — but getting ready shouldn’t be stressful. With a little care in the week before, you’ll walk into Arena Creative Hair feeling calm, excited, and ready to shine.

✨ Prom Hair & Makeup – Now Taking Bookings! ✨
Get ready to glow on your big night with a completely tailored prom package at Arena Creative Hair, Plymouth. We design every look around you — your skin tone, your style, and your vibe.

💄 What’s included:
✔ False eyelashes for a fluttery, natural finish
✔ Lipstick samples for easy top-ups during the night
✔ A calm, relaxing salon experience with Lexi at Arena

🌟 Bonus:
During your appointment, we identify your skin tone and send you a personalised guide with makeup, clothing, and hair colour advice to suit you for life — not just for prom.

⏰ This package lasts approximately 2.5 hours and includes a pre-appointment online consultation so we can find out exactly what you would like us to achieve. If it takes less time, we’ll adjust the price accordingly before your appointment .

BOOK Prom hair & make up package £90 (2 and half hours)

BOOK Prom Hair only £40 (1 hour)

BOOK Prom Make up only £50 (1 hour 15 mins)

🎀 SLOTS FILLING UP FAST – We’re here to help you look and feel your absolute best for prom.

Ready to book your hair and makeup? Or need help deciding your look? Click here to fill in our  consultation form — we can’t wait to help you look and feel amazing.