JUNIOR PROM

Full of dancing, friends, and (my favorite part) makeup, junior prom was more an extravaganza than merely a dance. The festivities began with a manicure and a sleepover with my good friend, which turned into a day-long effort to get ready with hair, makeup, and the most challenging part of all--fake eyelashes. Here are some pictures from the big day:

with my friends at pre-prom

I went with a friend yay

Accessories

Diane Von Furstenburg Gold Gatsby Glimmer Clutch

Nicole Miller Magnolia Flower Earrings

I got my dress (Reem Acra Florence Gown), earrings, and clutch from Rent The Runway. From the moment I opened the package, I fell in love with each item. Although I was afraid that the dress wouldn't fit because they couldn't send me the backup size of 6L, the 4L was absolutely perfect with 2" heels.

Hair and Makeup

I wanted to keep my hair down to not only show off my short hair (woot woot), but also to counteract the extreme princess vibe my dress was giving off. Don't get me wrong, I loved that I was royal-esque, but I did not want to go overboard and play dress-up by adding an updo to achieve the Belle-from-Beauty-and-the-Beast look. 

Because my dress lacks color and my accessories give it that slight pop, I really wanted to elevate my look by adding in a red lip (also to tie into my red corsage). I didn't want to touch up all night so I used the Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Beso, which really did stay all day! This red is really bright and bold so I stayed light on the eyes, with natural eyeshadow, but adding another pop with fake eyelashes. 

Overall, Prom was definitely a memorable addition to my overall high school experience and I am so glad that everything turned out perfectly!

Let's Talk Prom Dresses

Spring is here, which means that prom season is also upon us! For all high schoolers out there who can relate, or anyone preparing for a special event, finding that perfect dress is a pretty big deal. I was fortunate enough to not only get my dress for only $70, but also find it and fall in love with it all the way back in October.

My Dress

Reem Acra Florence Gown: Rent the Runway

It is purely personal preference, but I am not a huge fan of the typical prom dresses. I'm not saying that these so-called "typical" prom dresses aren't pretty or anything—in fact, many of them are stunning. It is just not the look or style that I prefer. Therefore, my dress for prom this year will be the Reem Acra Florence Gown from Rent the Runway. It was love at first sight. From the soft layers of tule and twisted ruching of the bodice to the understated nude color, I feel like this dress was made for me. 

Ever since I first discovered Rent the Runway, I have been completely obsessed. I love the idea that I can wear gorgeous designer gowns for an extremely reasonable price. Because I am renting my prom dress, there are some negatives to that as well, such as not being able to alter it, not being 100% that it will fit right, and not being sure that it will be the best dress on you. However, the benefits completely outweigh the disadvantages for me. I'm saving up to hundreds of dollars, I don't have to worry about altering my dress, and I also don't have to feel bad about letting it collect dust in the back of my closet, waiting for a day to be worn again that might never come. I really don't need to keep my prom dress forever. Though it is a keepsake for some, I am probably never going to wear it again (yet if this gown was the prom dress I owned I would wear it every day). 

*Because this post is before my actual prom, I will also be posting a follow-up on my experience with Rent the Runway so look out for that in a few weeks!

This brings me to another point I like about Rent the Runway. It is comforting to read reviews from other girls who have worn this dress before to see what they thought of its quality, design, and fit, because it makes you feel that much more secure about the rental. Looking at pictures posted of the dress on the website is also helpful to see it being worn by normal girls instead by a model for both an idea of what the dress will look like in person and for style inspiration. 

What I love most about prom is that it is an opportunity for me to dress up and enjoy the extended process of getting ready. If you have ever watched the movie A Cinderella Story with Hillary Duff (I almost said Lizzie McGuire there for a second), you know the a scene where Sam is standing at the top of the stairs at her school's halloween party and everyone stops and stares in awe. I'm not saying that my entrance will be as epic as that at all, but I just like to think of that fairytale moment where I get to feel and look like a princess for an evening. 

Hillary Duff in A Cinderella Story

Then again, not everyone wants to look like a princess at prom. You might want to follow the new trends, go with classic elegance, or make a bold statement with head to toe sparkles or a bright fuschia color. Hey, you do you. You should wear whatever makes you feel like a star on that night!

What will you be wearing for your next big event? Will you give Rent the Runway a try?