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Preparing for prom: From fashion to photography, tips from experts in The Woodlands

By: Kim Kyle Morgan, Woodlands Online
| Published 04/09/2018

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THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- While homecoming fashion trends typically call for a shorter hemline, for prom, it's the long, ball gown look – with an added feature or two.

"Pockets," said Debbie Crane, owner of Crane's Dress Boutique. "The girls are loving pockets. It's a lot of fun for them."

Dresses with cutouts that show just a glimpse of skin at the waist or back are fashion forward but also modest enough to be mother approved, Crane said. Another popular look is low-scooped bejeweled backs and halter necklines.

As for color, Crane said it's all over the map: pastels, brights, darks. "The range has really surprised me, " she said. "Navy is always a good color, as is red. Cobalts and emeralds have also been really strong."

With such a wide range to choose from, one rule remains the same.

"Girls are not looking for basic," Crane said. "They're looking for bling."

If the dress is blinged out, it's best to keep hair and jewelry accessories to a minimum.

Crane's Dress Boutique

Crowning glory

Let the style speak for itself, said Nadine Hadley, a stylist at Brushed Hair Studio.

While hair accessories are usually shunned in favor of a sparkly gown, a little color adds flair. Balayage is a painting technique that adds dye to hair for a graduated, blended look.

"Most girls do up-dos with big curls or big braids," Hadley said. "Those that want to leave it down ask for soft, subtle beach curls."

As for jewelry, prom is a great time to gift your kid with the classics.

"Make sure your girl has the basics in jewelry," said John Robichau of Robichau's Jewelry. "You can do pearls, small diamond necklaces … stuff that's nice but won't break the bank. For the guys, cufflinks or a watch. Those are pieces he can have the rest of his life."

Fresh faces

Meghan Goodwin of Magnolia Girl Makeup recommends girls hire a professional makeup artist for the big event.

"I know DIY is a thing, but you have to take into consideration lighting and angles," Goodwin said. "How your makeup is done can reflect negatively or positively."

Whether doing it yourself or hiring a pro, take note of two keywords: highlighting and contouring.

"You highlight your good features," she said. "Where you place that highlight is important, otherwise reflection from the camera can cause a washout."

Contouring brings out your best features or creates the illusion of strong features. "Say you don't have strong cheekbones," Goodwin said. "You can contour in the right places to create different features. Contouring also helps balance highlighting – those two things go hand in hand."

There are some things that don’t go hand in hand.

Goodwin advises to balance bold eye makeup with a soft lip, or bold lips with soft eye makeup – best to avoid going bold with both.

"Also, if your dress is your statement piece, let the dress stand out more than your makeup," Goodwin said. "But if you want your face to be the showstopper, then that's what we'll go with."

As for what not to do?

"Don't get any kind of facial or hair removal service the day you get your makeup done. Do it a few days before. Having a clean palette will help makeup lay better and last longer," Goodwin said. "I also don't suggest prom being the day you try something new you've never done before."

Picture perfect

Mindy Harmon of Mindy Harmon Photography said the best tip for prom portraits is to choose a location without harsh light.

"Most groups will be photographing mid-day when the light is bright," Harmon said. "Harsh light creates heavy shadows, dark faces and squinty eyes. Mid-day light can be difficult for even the most skilled photographers, but a professional can compensate for these things with proper lighting."

Choose a location with some type of overhead to eliminate harsh light. Harmon said the Rob Fleming Pavilion in Creekside is one of her favorite places to photograph for exactly that reason.

"I see so many photographs of beautiful dresses just ruined because of poor location choices."

Fine dining

Prom is one night that dining out goes to another level, and thankfully most restaurants in The Woodlands are more than happy to deliver a fine-dining experience to teenagers.

"Back in the day of my prom experience, they shoved us in the employee break room," said Melissa Abrantes, co-owner of Avenida Brazil Churrascaria Steakhouse in The Woodlands. "They walked us right through the gorgeous, main dining area. But we were young, we didn't know any better."

That won't happen at Abrantes' restaurant.

"Prom is one of those things you never forget, so we want to make it memorable for the kids," Abrantes said. "We have an intimate setting with a lot of Brazilian elements, but we also know we have to be fast. They want an experience with great food, in a very nice place, that's also quick so they can go enjoy the rest of their night."

The Avenida Brazil prom menu is $49 a guest, and includes a gourmet salad bar along with your choice of 15 meat cuts – carved tableside -- and side dishes.

"I love having prom groups here," Abrantes said. "It's such a big moment for them. They're so excited and so full of life."

Avenida Brazil, The Woodlands

Getting where you're going

For lots of kids, prom is the first time they'll ride in luxury. "They want the experience of being driven somewhere by a chauffer, they're wearing a fancy suit or a beautiful dress, they feel like they're riding in first class," said Roberto MiQuel, president and CEO of C&S Executive Transportation. "It gives the kids a boost to the ego. They deserve to feel important on prom day."

MiQuel said all teenagers who will be riding with them must sign a "Prom Promise."

"It lets them know what's expected of them while in the vehicle," MiQuel said. "Don't bring anything illegal, don't be destructive, don't do anything that will ruin it for the rest of the group. It gives them some responsibility that they're signing off on. The feedback from the parents' side has been amazing."

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