School ball season is upon us. Our 16-year-old daughter is going to her first school ball on Friday and, like many other households in our community, we are deep in preparation at our place. A lot of thought has gone into this one night, and this week itself has been a flurry of appointments and courier parcel drop-offs.
Yesterday said daughter got her nails done. Tonight is the spray tan. Tomorrow we pick up her dress from the ballgown hire place. The new heels and clutch purse, which she bought online, have arrived by courier just in the nick of time. And on Friday, the day of the ball, she will finish school early to get ready for the big event. A hair and make-up artist has been booked, who will have just under four hours to beautify five excited teenage girls as they ready themselves for what is probably one of the biggest social events of the year for them.
You can’t help but get caught up in the excitement – as well as be struck by the number of firsts occurring for these kids. It’s probably the first time they’ll attend such a formal social occasion with their peers, one of their first times in heels, first spray tan, first time getting hair and make-up professionally done, first time wearing ‘proper’ evening wear.
With firsts come the risk of things going wrong, so here’s how to troubleshoot any potential dramas or disasters that might crop up in the lead-up to your teen’s school ball. With all of the effort that goes into preparing for a school ball, the last thing you want is for your teen’s big night to be ruined.
Walking in heels
With trainers being the footwear of choice for most Kiwi teens, many girls won’t be used to walking in heels. There is an art to it, and it’s worth your daughter’s while to put in some practice around the house before the big night. This way she’ll also identify where they rub and help to wear them in. Wearing plasters on the night is a must and she should also take extras in her purse.
A word of warning: We know of one poor girl who broke her ankle practicing walking in her heels around the house, and who will now be attending her school ball in a moon boot. Take care in heels at all times.
Getting a spray tan
Again, probably a first for a lot of ball goers. Lots of people get their spray tan the day before an event but it’s not a bad idea to go two days before so that if it’s too dark or streaks or looks patchy you’ve got time to fix it or at least blend it out with bronzer.
Before the spray tan, shower and exfoliate your skin. After the spray tan, wear loose clothing and do not shower for at least eight hours.
When you shower, remain under the water until it runs clear, without rubbing your skin. The top layer of tan is supposed to come off – some people don’t realise this and freak when they see the colour streaking down their legs and running down the drain. This is supposed to happen and what you’re left with is the actual tan.
Click here for tanning tips if you’re doing it yourself, out of a bottle.
Professional hair and make-up
Not all hair and make-up artists are created equal, and when they’re also under the pump – on a time limit and tasked with doing the hair and makeup of multiple people before an event – things can get rushed and the best job is not always done. Do your research before you book your hair and make-up person by checking out their website and social media pages. Do they come recommended by someone you know and trust? Also, when you book them make sure you allow them enough time to do their magic.
If your daughter hates her look and bursts into tears the moment they’ve gone I wouldn’t waste any time trying to convince her she looks great. She knows she doesn’t and that will only make her feel not great. Wipe it all off, and start again. If you’re not proficient with a make-up brush or hair tongs, have a friend on hand who is.
Confidence in how you look lends itself to feeling confident on the night.
When items bought online don’t arrive in time – or aren’t what they appeared on the website
I was getting nervous about my daughter’s clutch purse and heels not arriving in time, but two days out from the ball, they have. We were lucky.
But the clutch purse is not what it appeared to be on the website. It’s more regular handbag-sized and kind of tacky-looking so she’s now looking at alternatives.
Whether items arrive in time or not, be prepared to make a last-minute dash to the mall or to borrow from friends.
