Here's a few things to consider to take with you on the night...

in case of emergency!

•    Your mobile (like you'd go anywhere without it!)
•   Camera
•   Cash
•   House keys
•   Tissues
•   Headache tablets
•   Tampons
•   Breath mints
•   Nail file
•   Lipstick and powder
•   Your formal tickets!
•   A Mini Mirror
•  

We all feel like a dork when we first meet the parents. Just shake their hand and look them in the eyes when they are talking to you.

It's a big night for them too so just be polite and smile, they love that kinda stuff.

  This article is proudly brought to you by

login NOW! for V.I.P. ACCESS to all the

HOTTEST CELEB FORMAL DRESS GALLERY's

SECRET CELEBRITY FORMAL STYLIN' ADVICE 

STARLET STYLIST JOH BAILEY for AP/T.V..... 

CLICK ON YOUR STATE TO

FIND A FORMAL DRESS SHOP NEAR YOU!

QUEENSLAND     VICTORIA    NEW SOUTH WALES   SOUTH AUSTRALIA       WESTERN AUSTRALIA 

TRY LOTS OF DIFFERENT STYLES ON Just because Nat Portman here on the red carpet looks fab in a particular frock, doesn't mean 99.5% of the population can wear it and look as good! You should try on lots of different dress styles but keep in mind our guide to getting it right. TAKE PIX OF THE 1's YOU LIKE It's a great idea (but ask the store owner first if it's ok) to take photos of you trying on your favourite dresses. After a hectic day of shopping, it can get a bit hard to remember them all!  MORE INSPIRATION Check out our Hot Frocks Formal Dress gallery for heaps of inspirational ideas! Also have a look at what you guys were wearing in 2007 with the Ur Formal Pics gallery. CREATE YOUR "LOOK BOOK" Once you've got a few pictures of dresses, hairstyle and make-up ideas etc, stick them all into a scrapbook - this will become your LOOK BOOK. Take it around with you to shops and it'll help keep you on track with all your styling ideas.

COLOUR & DESIGN ARE YOUR FRIENDS Use colour and design to accentuate your best features and direct the eyes away from the not-so-good bits.  ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL!!!! You've probably noticed but one dress might be a size 12 and fit perfectly but another size 12 either swims on you or is so tight you can't breathe!! So don't look at the size of the dress, pay attention to how the dress fits. WARDROBE MALFUNCTIONS If you're worried about wardrobe malfunctions, there's double sided sticky tape "Hollywood Tape" that is designed to keep your bits from being exposed unintentionally.

 HOT NEW TRENDS FROM THE UK/USA - THE SHORTIE BALL GOWN

I know I know...the one on the left's a little OTT but you gotta love it anyway!!  

And Aussieprom staffers LOVELOVELOVE the spotty socks (but hate the bow in her hair - what-the??)!!!

Let's hope the limo's big enough for this one!                   Rhianna loves a new trend!

FROCKING UP IN A NUT SHELL...

HipHip Hooray!  How to minimize your hips.
Go for dresses with an A-line, Empire line and detail at the neck or shoulders.

 Dangerous Curves.  Create great curves
A full skirted ball gown with a boned corset and off the shoulder sleeves will disguise a small chest and narrow shoulders and create the figure you've always wanted

Flatten That!  Get that tummy looking yummy
Empire line or a dress with fabric draped or gathered across the tummy will disguise this area.

Bootylicious. Too much of a good thing?
Avoid clingy and stiff fabrics and again go for an A-line, Empire line or full skirted ball gown.

Higher, I said Higher! How to give the illusion of height.
Lengthen a short torso with a drop waist or an asymmetrical design (off the shoulder) and look for subtle vertical stripes.

You and Who's Army? Camoflage those guns.
Never wear anything tight around your arms. Maybe even go for a sophisticated wrap made of organza (a luxurious looking sheer fabric).

 THE RA-RA SKIRT IS BACK!!!!

Your mum prob loved it when she was your age

and now it looks better than ever - short or long!!!

  SWERVE THE CURVES!

If you've got a cuddly figure, remember that clingy, stiff and shiny fabrics will only make you look bigger.

Like B here (left)...she normally gets it so right, but no amount of clever posing will disguise those extra curves with all that clingy, shiny fabric.

HOW B GETS IT RIGHT 4 HER FIGURE...

Now THIS looks HOT!

Look for a V or scooped neck line as these will make the most of what you've got.

 A softer, non-reflective fabric that "drapes" instead of clings is a very good thing too!

A small sleeve that gently covers the upper arms helps disguise any "bingo-wing" issues.

The train at the back will also make you appear taller.

WANT MORE INSPIRATIONAL DRESS IDEAS???  LOGIN NOW FOR V.I.P. ACCESS TO THE HOTTEST CELEB FORMAL DRESS GALLERY'S - LOGIN NOW!!!
  

 HOT NEW SUMMER STYLE! ALERT

 FLORALS & TIE-DIE PATTERNS

LACEY LOOKS GREAT TOO

HOW TO LOOK LIKE A QUEEN

WHAT DO THE CELEB'S DO TO GET READY FOR THE RED CARPET?

-Heidi Klum: "We started early, at maybe 11 am. I glued on lashes, put on some base, some blush, put the hair up, got dressed. It doesn't take that long. It's what I do!"
-Julia-Louis Dreyfus: "The makeup thing I find daunting. I know to hire a really good hair and makeup team. They do everything. I sit there and try to stay as calm as possible."
-Penelope Cruz: "I can do my makeup and hair myself, by myself. I can do my friends' hair. I've done Salma Hayek's hair many times. You should ask her about that."
-Jada Pinkett Smith: "Does this one, my husband [Will Smith], help me get ready? Today (Golden Globes) we were almost late. He takes his sweet time."

OK...NOW WHAT NOT TO WEAR!!!

oh Paris...PUT IT AWAY!!!

(Editors note: would someone please show her the next article...)

Know your dress style and what fabric it's made of. If you have a pic  or the dress itself, take it with you when you are looking for your undies.

Ask the experts. Usually lingerie sales staff have been fitting gals forever - those ladies know their stuff. If you're nervous, ask for the senior fitter. Don't freak out; just remember they've seen it all before.

Control a specific problem with shaper knickers for butt and tummy troubles or every chicks secret weapon - the bodysuit. This sucks everything in. Gotta love that!

Forget the frills and go for seamless underwear and make sure it's a nude colour.

Don't go too over the top when it comes to cleavage. A little is sexy, but too much just makes you look like you are a CELEBRITART instead of a CELEBRITY and a bit of a try hard. You could go a push-up bra or 'chicken fillets' for the more chest-challenged! They are silicon wedges that you slip into your bra to boost your natural assets. You'd be surprised which celeb's use them!

Good underwear can be expensive but like your dress, you will wear it for years to come. Buy what you can afford and if you see what you want on special - grab it!

Click here for some more tips from the pro's...

Missy M discovers the STARS SECRET WEAPON'S!!

Jada Pinkett Smith has a secret weapon: "I wear one of those elastic waist cinchers sometimes. You would not believe how small these dresses are!"
Sienna recently admitted that her Spanx keep everything wobbly "hidden and squashed!" (Editor's note: "we should all embrace the fact that even Sienna Miller has wobbly bits!!!")

If you buy new shoes, they will need to be 'broken in' so you don't get painful blisters or go skidding across the dance floor on the night.

Practice walking and dancing around in them to make them a bit more comfy.

You may need to scuff up the sole for a bit of traction on the slippery dance floor. It's a long night and your feet WILL get sweaty and sore but don't take them off, even under the table. Phew! You could try slipping some padding into your shoes.

CLICK HERE FOR PRO ADVICE ON BUYING THE RIGHT FORMAL SHOES 

Sign up NOW! for the Aussieprom.com NEWSLETTER for the latest seasonal make-up and fashion tips.

If you or your mum are doing your make-up for the big night, don't go overboard. Do a few rehearsals before the big night so you can see what works and what doesn't.

Try not to go emphasise everything...usually less is more. It always looks great to emphasis one feature, like your eyes and play down your lips with a more neutral gloss or vice versa.

 EYES. It's a trend right now to line the full rim of your eyes with black eyeliner, but this will only make your eyes look smaller (especially in the photo's). Try going lightly with the eyeliner in towards your nose and heavier towards the outer edges of your eyes. This will make your eyes look huge and give that 'cat eye' look that looks great on amost everyone.

Get a little CHEEKIE! But what every you do, don't O.D. on the blush!

Just a touch in the apple with some shimmer does the job.

Click here for MORE TIPS FROM CELEBRITY
'FACE MECHANICS'...

Final tip - WATERPROOF MASCARA!!! It's an emotional night after all...

GET THE PROFESSIONALS IN

If you wanna really rock the red carpet, consider hiring a professional make-up artist and hairstylist to transform you from school gal to hot chick. 

Most are able to come to you these days and they have all the right stuff for keeping you paparazzi proof all night.

 If your skin is a bit less than perfect (who's isn't??), check out this fab website All About Acne for some free advice www.acne.org.au

Just what IS the value of a talented Hair and Make-up team???

DON'T FEEL LIKE YOU COULD EVER LOOK AS GOOD AS THE CELEB'S???  Keep scrolling...you can thank us later

May I introduce...Cameron Diaz

My personal fav...J.Lo

and finally...here's little old Kate Moss

DON'T DO DRUGS PEOPLE!!!

THIS PAGE PROUDLY BROUGHT TO YOU BY  

BOUNCE HAIR BODY BEAUTY

DO'S    AND    DO    NOT'S     WHEN     DOING     YOUR     DO......

1. Your hairstyle should mirror your own mind and personality. Forget what everyone else is doing and  go for it!

2. All hair has its own beauty and potential. It's amazing what a talented hairdresser can do, so love the hair you've got (and the skin you're in).

3. Hair is like a flower, it wakes up differently every day. So if you're having a B.H.D. (bad hair day), just remember, there's always tomorrow...

4. Your hairstyle should be realistic BUT interesting so avoid stereotypical looks and challenge your stylist - they'll love doing a different do!

 Missy M's PRO TIP

   IN 2008, THE HOTTEST HAIR ACCESSORY ISN'T CINDERELLA'S TIARA......IT'S FABULOUSLY BEDAZZLING DIAMONTIE HAIR PINS, SLIDE COMBS AND LIGHT CATCHERS...

 Missy M's PRO TIP

   THE BUN CAN LOOK TOO SEVERE BUT AS ALL THE ACTION IS BEHIND THE SCENES, IT DOES GIVE YOUR EYES CENTER STAGE...

5. Don't pay for dissapointment. If your not happy with where the style is going, let the stylist know early on and he/she should be able to change it on the run. Unfortunately, there's not much they can do to change it when they've finished.

 6. Always let your stylist know if there is a pin sticking in your head. The last thing you need is a migraine on you big night.

7. Take some pic's from mag's etc. in to show your stylist what you want. A picture is sooooooo much easier than trying to interpret what you're after by describing it... 'it's sorta like got some curls and it's up at the back and this bit should go over there, 'n stuff"    -   what the????

8. If your hairdresser is a sincere human being, love and trust him/her a little more.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FACTS ON FACE SHAPES AND HAIR STYLES

 MORE HOT HAIR...

Missy M's PRO TIP

 IF TODAYS STYLES AREN'T DOING IT FOR YOU...WHAT ABOUT A LITTLE INSPIRATION FROM THE OLDEN DAY MOVIES. HERE'S JESS' VERSION OF THE SAUCEY VERONICA LAKE C1940

 AND THE 'BAD HAIR DAY' AWARDS GO TOOOOO

ENOUGH OF THAT!!!! HERE'S SOME MORE GOOD HAIR...

It's a tradition dating back to before your parents were born for the gentleman to buy his date a corsage and the gal buys him a buttonhole in return.

 A corsage is a bunch of two or three flowers and sometimes ribbon that is all wired together. It comes in two different styles depending on style the dress. If it is a strapless dress, he should buy a wrist corsage otherwise one that can be pinned onto the dress is correct. Tell your date the style and colour of your dress so he can order the right type. A corsage's stems should be pointed up and be worn on the left hand side.

A buttonhole is usually a single flower (like a rose or orchid) that is worn on the guys' lapel. The proper way for a buttonhole to be worn is with the stems pointing down and on the left hand side of the lapel.

A new trend is for the girls to wear their corsage on their handbag instead of their wrist and if the guy isn't into wearing a buttonhole, the gals could organize their dates tie for the evening. Ask your date whether he prefers this to wearing a buttonhole or maybe he would like both! 

:- ) If you're lost for ideas, talk to the florist and ask to see some pics. They will also let you know when  the best time is to pick them up - usually a few hours before the big night.

:- ) Both the buttonhole and the corsage should be ordered from the same florist to ensure the couple co-ordinate.

:- ) Buttonholes and Corsages are a bit fiddly and labour intensive for the florist to make so can sometimes be a bit ex'y, but they are an essential.

:- ) A great idea is to get your School Formal Committee to approach their fav 'petal pusher' to do everyone's and you might be able to get some discount!

AP/T.V. PRESENTS...How to Pin Your Corsage

SOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOT RIGHT NOW......

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO  NOT RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!                      

Take a leaf from the catwalk set and think about how you stand when you're in front of the camera. As you can see above, it makes a huge difference to how you look and can take kilo's off  in an instant...we lurrrrve that!!!

Check out the top three pic's & practice these tips at home before the formal in front of a full length mirror.
 

 1. Place your right foot at 90degree angle to the camera.

2. Point your left foot towards the camera and place your heals together.

3. Keep your right knee straight and bend your left knee a little.

4. Stand up straight. Hold your bum and tummy in and pull your shoulders back.

5. Just before they take the photo, imagine you are the most beautiful starlet on the planet and feel the love (sounds dumb but models use this technique all the time).

6. Try a little laugh when you smile.  This will relax your facial muscles and make you look more naturally beautiful.

7. Your best accessory, no matter what your size, shape, colour, how smart you are or how much money your parents earn etc....is your fabulous smile! Work that red carpet baby!!!

PS... Try this pose for fun - all the celeb's are doing it!!!!

PUT THE "ooommmmm" BACK INTO YOUR PROM!

It's so easy to get totally freaked out by the whole thing but before you strangle someone, try one or all of these tips:

• Make a list and get organized early. It's the easiest way to keep yourself from spinning out of control. Print out our BUDGET PLANNER TO KEEP YOU $$$$ IN CHECK TOO...

• Keep up the healthy eating and moderate exercise. Drink loads of water, watch your portion sizes and if it's all too much, grab your iPod and go for a good walk, or get together with your mates and head for the beach. The fresh air and all those exercise endorphins will lift your mood like nothing else. Check with your health care advisor before starting any diet or excercise routine.
• Try a warm bath with lavender oil.
• If you really are struggling, have a chat to your parents, doctor or naturopath to see what they can do to help.

Here's how to look like you go to red carpet events AALLLLL the time...

Be a good date. OK, he may not be Pete Wentz or the hottest of hotties of the year, but he's still your date. Don't leave him hanging around like a bad smell while you and your girlfriends nick off. You'd hate if he did that to you, right? Try chatting about stuff that you know you two have in common like classes, what happened on Home & Away, or Rove last night or maybe even the footy. And don't forget to compliment him on how good he scrubs up. You never know, he could be someone you'd like to get to know a little better...

Eating properly is like a minefield!

Number 1 - Don't scoff your food. It's not a burger and fries after all!

Place your napkin across your lap and wait until everyone at the table has been served before you start eating.

THE TABLE SETTING - WHAT IS WHO'S??

The cutlery is always tricky but if you start at the outside for entree and work your way in, you should be ok.

Your drinking glass will be on the right hand side and your bread and butter plate will be on the left. 

Something like this... 

Sorry, I have to sound like your olds here but CHEW WITH YOUR MOUTH CLOSED AND GET YOUR ELBOWS OFF THE TABLE!!!

Keep your knees together when you're sitting. Whether your dress is long or short, you'll always look more elegant sitting properly. Who wants to look like Amy Winehouse anyway. This also helps to minimize creases in your dress.

Ditch the drama.

Your formal is the night for fun, not cat fights and tears. If you're addicted to the drama, lift your game just for tonight and be the mature and elegant chick you know you really are.

Don't talk through the speeches. I know they sometimes drag on but it's just bad manners.

Always say please and thank you to the waiters. You'll find you get much better service.

Wedgie alert! If this happens, do not pick it out in public!!! Discretely go into the loo and do it there. While you're there, do a once over in front of the mirror, check that no food has lodged itself between your teeth and top up your gloss.

Be safe. If things aren't going well or you're not getting into it, let your date know you're a bit tired and would like to go home.  If your folks can't pick you up, grab a cab. Pre-program the local taxi company's phone number into your mobile and order a cab. Always-always-always wait for the taxi in a well lit area and have a friend or teacher wait with you until it arrives.

.

Be memorable for all of the right reasons

You don't want to be the talk of the school for anything other than how gorgeous you looked. It might seem like the right time to let loose and do something really wild but you'll only regret it later. I mean, do you REALLY wanna end up looking and feeling like this?? Amy is such a talented gal and she could look amazing.