10 Prom Beauty Looks To Maybe Not Try

Spring is in the air, the birds are chirping, and department stores are overrun with 16-year-olds in the formalwear department, which can only mean one thing: prom season is upon us. For those in the 15 to 18 age bracket, the daunting hunt for the perfect prom ensemble (Is that even possibly anymore, now that Jessica McClintock has stopped making dresses?!) and matching makeup is already underway.

However, for those past their prom-going prime, spring is a time to reflect on the reputed Best Night of Your Life. Though the memories may be sweet, some of the #tbt pictures are less than flattering, as the prom bug can persuade even the most elegant into unflattering cosmetics. Frosted pink lipstick and lurid stripes of bronzer would now be a punishable offense on anyone over the age of 5, after all.

But for those who succumbed to unflattering prom looks, remember that you weren't the only one rocking crimped locks and roll-on body glitter. There's solidarity in cringing over prom cosmetics disasters, especially when the look was dictated by questionable trends. They say hindsight is twenty-twenty, so in honor of beauty errors past, here are ten prom beauty looks I wish hadn't been caught on film. Let's hope future generations of prom-goers can learn from the mistakes of their predecessors.

1. The Frizzy Perm

If even Leslie Knope can't rock a look, the rest of us shouldn't even try.

2. Neon Pink Eyeshadow

Pastel pink eyeshadow is always chic, but when you add neon into the mix, the look can turn against you.

3. Queen Amidala Lipstick

Sure, we all went through a rebellious phase, but 3/4-finished lips are something best left for the un-documented moments in your life.

4. Colorblocked Eye Shadow

There are beautiful ways to create a layered eyeshadow look, and then there's this. When in doubt, natural is always a safe bet.

5. Frosted Pink Lipstick

I would like to have a word with whoever started the pink frosted lipstick craze in the '80s, namely to ask them in all honesty if the trend started as a joke.

6. The Extra-High Ponytail

If your ponytail is defying gravity, it may be time to rethink your hairdo.

7. Body Glitter

Body glitter was ubiquitous in the '90s, but that doesn't mean it was ever acceptable.

9. Raccoon Eyes

There was a very good reason for your mother's earnest requests to stop coloring your eyelids with kohl. It's unfortunate that few of us actually heeded the advice.

10. The Orange Self-Tan

Before spray tanning became the multi-faceted, complex process it is today, self tanner manufacturers seemed to be wearing marmalade-colored glasses while perfecting their product. Resembling an Orange Julius at prom was, I imagine, not the desired effect.