We’ve sorted out your checklist to prepare for arguably the biggest event of the year.
School ball season is in full swing, so making sure you’ve dotted all your i’s and crossed all your t’s leading up to the big event is crucial. Whether it’s your first ball you’re attending, or whether you’re back for another year, the excitement, jitters and anticipation leading up to the dreamy celebration can often have you forgetting a thing or two.
But being school ball veterans ourselves, we’ve got a few tips and tricks up our sleeves and we’ve put together some tips to help you get organised from the get-go.
Strap in and get ready for the your best ball ever, thanks to our ultimate checklist and insider tips:
Picking the perfect outfit
For many, the whole ball is centred around your outfit, so ensuring you look and feel amazing in the right garment for your special night is paramount. No longer limited to a long traditional ball dress, there are now some game changing ball attire options to suit every style and body shape. It all comes down to finding the right garment style for you.
Dress length and fit
Gone are the days where ball dress lengths consisted solely of longer styles. Now, midi and mini styles are also dominating the dress game, with a variety of cuts to suit each individual’s taste. There are a few things to note when searching as it will make a huge difference in the way a garment falls on you.
If you’re taller, going for a long, flowing gown will elongate your features and slim you, whereas if you’re more petite, choosing something more fitted and midi length will make your legs look super long. Try on a variety of styles (try pushing the boundaries of what you’d normally opt for) and you’ll be surprised at what you might feel most comfortable – and look a million dollars – in!
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Shop: Midnight dancer dress, $150, from Bec & Bridge
Choosing something different
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different colours and styles in your process. As we’ve mentioned, trying different options opens your mind and allows you to figure out what you like and don’t like – plus, it makes the process even more fun!
Another thing to remember is you’re not limited to wearing a dress if you don’t want to. A suit, jumpsuit, or two piece are other dreamy options you have at your leisure.
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Shop: Valentine blazer & pants set, $200 each, from KOOKAI.
Beauty prep products
Beauty is one of the best parts about gearing up for a school ball, as the whirlwind of a complete makeover will have you feeling like you’re a goddess for the night. Getting glam is exciting because it allows you to play around and dabble in things you wouldn’t usually. But there are a few non-negotiables and staples that your beauty kit needs for the night.
Skin products you need for ball night
With Bondi Sands on hand, you’ll always have a golden, smooth and sleek tan every time. For ball night, a fake tan is a no brainer. The Glo-range makes it easy to have an effortless one-night tan that can be used alone as a layer of shimmer and shine, or on top of a prior tan to build.
Hydrating your skin is the number one necessity in getting prepped for ball day, as your skin is going to experience a range of things on the big day. Using a face-mask to brighten the complexion and illuminate your skin is an absolute must. Mario Badescu is a cult favourite for a reason, and if you’re on the hunt for an affordable mask that delivers, we can’t fault their whitening mask.
Shop: Mario Badescu whitening mask, $40 from MECCA and Bondi Sands Glo in shimmer, $23, from Life Pharmacy.
The non-negotiables in hair
Getting your hair clean, sleek and shiny can be a hard task, but not when you’ve got the right products. Shampoo and conditioner only goes so far, but making sure your hair is hydrated and nourished pre-ball is a must so we recommend a hair mask. Once you’ve got your hair in place for your event, nothing locks it in more than using a solid hairspray, so this can’t go amiss in your cart either.
Shop: Argan oil hair mask, $22 from StyleHQ.co.nz and Not Your Mother’s hairspray, $22 from StyleHQ.co.nz.
You wouldn’t hit the ball without
Once you’ve gone full glam, there’s no better way to lock in your look and secure your make up than Urban Decay’s All Nighter setting spray. Ensuring that your make up stays on and you can dance the night away without worrying your make up will come off or transfer onto your dress is essential on ball night. Adding this to your beauty kit for the ball is a no-brainer and you’ll find yourself forever reaching for it after you’ve experienced it’s effectiveness.
Having a lip colour that’ll last you all night is a must, but topping it up can be tricky. A lip tint is a great solution – you can add it to your clutch and they ensure your lips keep a pop of colour with added hydration too. We love the Nars Orgasm lip tint and it’s the perfect ball shade to take you into the night.
