Makeup

• Go for neutrals: loud and vibrant eyes are great on a night out in town (perhaps your grad after-party?). Instead of purples, greens, etc., try to stick to champagnes for shimmer and brown or taupe for defining your lids. To give your eyes that dramatic look, line your eyes with dark brown or black eyeliner then smudge for even more depth. Apply mascara per usual.
• Make your brows more prominent by using either brow pencil or brow powder. You’ll notice that your face is instantly framed and you can go with less makeup, PROMISE!
• You can go for pretty much anything on your lips if the rest of your makeup is more subdued. Well, maybe not black or blue lipstick because I doubt you’ll ever come up with a good excuse for that look 10-20 years from now.
• Go easy if you decide to contour your face because as graduation ceremonies are normally held during the day it’s easier for others to spot unevenness or too much bronzing powder.

Misc.

• Carry some blotting papers with you. You won’t have much of an opportunity to sneak away into the ladies room and checking on your makeup during the ceremony? Forget about it. So, powderless blotting papers are great because they take away the shine without making your skin look dull.
• Visine and some tissue. In case the tears start to fall. Hey, it happens.
• Wet-naps. My ceremony was on a hot sunny day and halfway through the ceremony, I started to feel really hot and sticky and sweaty — not pleasant! Wet-naps are a great way to freshen up.
• if your blush wears off, just dab some of your lipstick (as long as it’s not bright pink or anything like that) for that healthy flush on your cheeks.

Hair

• If you decide to wear your hair down, make sure to apply some anti-frizz products.
• If your hair falls flat at some point, spray some dry shampoo to your roots and shake off the excess then mess it up a little bit at the roots to create volume. Don’t brush as it will just deflate your hair again.
• If all else fails, just tie your hair up in a messy bun, so bring some extra hair ties.

Misc.

• If you do forget anti-frizz and your humidity just does not agree with your hair, just squirt a tiny bit of lotion on your fingers and lightly apply at the tips of your hair to tame it a little bit.
• Bring some bobby pins and hair ties in case of hair related emergencies.

Style

• Gladiator sandals? Seriously, will you still love them 20 years from now? Well, there’s your answer.
• This is just my personal preference, but I don’t do well with anything over 3 inch heels, so keep comfort in mind when choosing your footwear, unless you’re one of the lucky ones who live in high heels.
• Go for something more light when it comes to your dress as you may overheat underneath those polyester (bad when it’s hot out) graduation robes.
• When it comes to jewelry or any type of accessories, I try to stay away from trendy stuff. But when it comes to accessorizing, it is a matter of personal taste.