Prom Makeup: Katy Perry's Rainbow Eye Shadow

By Cassandra Morris, About.com Guide

For prom makeup that pops, take a cue from Katy Perry.

Katy Perry has made just as big an impact on the red carpet as she has on the Billboard charts. I like to call her style “retro-pop.” She takes elements of vintage style, like Jean Harlow’s finger-waved hair, and updates them with whatever is popular at the moment- the color pink. The result is a fusion of old and new, and a look that’s instantly recognizable as Katy Perry.

Her colorful eye shadow is probably something you wouldn’t have seen in the 1930s (then again, all the photos from then were in black and white, so who really knows?), but today colors like these are just as common as simple black eyeliner. If you’re looking for prom makeup that’s totally different from what you wear every day, experiment with vibrant shades.

Katy Perry’s eye shadow is a blend of yellow and indigo, which she ties together by wearing a yellow top of the same hue.

When choosing brightly colored eye shadow, make sure that one of the hues matches your prom dress exactly. It’ll keep your entire look fluid. Of course, if your dress is all black or all white, you can pretty much use any color eye shadow you want.

More prom makeup looks: Blake Lively's two-tone eyes.

What you’ll need to get this prom makeup look:

Eye shadow primer

Medium eye shadow brush

Two shades of bright eye shadow – one should match a color in your dress

A metallic eyeliner one shade lighter than your darker eye shadow

False eyelashes and glue

A rich, bright pink lipstick

Pink blush

Complete the look from head to fingers: Nail Ideas for Prom

Step 1: Start by cleansing your face (I recommend Pond’s Wet Cleansing Towelettes) to remove any dirt or leftover makeup. Moisturize using a gentle lotion, then apply your normal powder or foundation.

Step 2: Apply a thin line of glue to the back of your false eyelashes, then affix them as close to your natural lash line as possible. Press them in place using the curved plastic tool that should have come with your lash kit. Let the glue dry completely.

Step 3: Prep your first lid with eye shadow primer. Use the lighter of your two eye shadows on the inside of your eye. Start in the corner and work your way toward the middle of your lid. Extend the color toward the bridge of your nose and up onto your brow bone. When the top of your eyelid is done, use the brush to carefully sweep color underneath your eyelid.

Step 4: Clean your brush of excess powder, then apply the darker shade of shadow. Start in the middle of your lid and work your way out. Carefully bring the color up into your brow bone and extend it past the outer corner of your eye. Then, blend the two shades together using your brush.

Step 5: Take your metallic eyeliner and line the bottom of your eye from the outer corner until just before your inner corner. Smudge the liner slightly using a clean cotton swab. Don’t use the eyeliner on your waterline.

More prom makeup ideas: Bella Thorne's Shimmery Eyes

Step 6: Finish off your bottom lid with a light sweep of your second eye shadow.

Step 7: Apply a generous coat of mascara to your top lashes. Then, gently apply it to your bottom lashes, too.

Step 8: Apply your primer, eye shadow and mascara to your second eye using steps three through seven.

Step 9: Using a wide blush brush, apply your pink blush to the apples of your cheeks. Make sure they’re even on both sides!

Step 10: Complete the look with your bright pink lipstick. Fill out your entire lip- from the upper peaks to the full bottom pout. Blot with a tissue, then run a coat of clear gloss over it.

Step back and admire your work! You’ve got uber-colorful prom makeup inspired by Katy Perry!

More Prom Makeup Looks:
Kristen Stewart's Prom Makeup
Prom Makeup: Rihanna's Rosy Hue
How to wear red lipstick with a formal dress