As McLean’s spring social event draws nearer, junior and senior girls are preparing themselves meticulously for the prom. This year, the theme of McLean’s prom is “A Night In Paris,” being held on Saturday, May 18. For many, prom is a chance to shine and stand out amongst the crowd.
A common prom tradition is to get your hair dyed or blown out prior to the dance.
“I got my hair dyed for Langley’s prom last week and got my roots done which was nice and relaxing, ” junior Sara Gladczenko said. “It’s a long process that was two hours.”
Others such as junior Angelina Thomas take a more personal route to avoid conflicts such as crowded salons and high expenses.
“My sister always does my hair before big events,” Thomas said. “It’s been a small tradition between the two of us for as long as I can remember. Having my sister do my hair makes it more special.”
In addition to hair, many girls also either get spray tans or self-tan. These options present different pros and cons, between costs and time spent on the tan.
“Getting ready for prom is already so expensive, which is why I’m choosing less expensive options such as self-tanning,” senior Martina Garcia said. “As much as I want to feel pretty and expensive, it’s still important to have a budget and stick to it.”
Gladczenko elected to prioritize quality over cost, deciding that a spray-tan would be the most efficient choice for her.
“My friends and I are all getting our first ever spray tans,” Gladczenko said. “I’m trying to save time by doing a spray tan instead of self-tanning, since it can also come out splotchy if you do it yourself.”
Many consider their nails to be one of the most important parts of getting ready for prom. There is a wide variety of nail options, from press-ons to acrylics to nail polish.
“I always go to a McLean junior to do my nails, her Instagram tag is naailsbygabriela,” Garcia said. “She does nails so well and she’s super affordable, which is the main reason I go to her.”
Dedicated to one nail salon, Thomas entrusts Orchid Nails every time.
“I’m going to get French tips with chrome on top, so they sparkle in the light,” Thomas said. “I’ve been going there to get my nails done for a couple years now, and they’ve been really reliable to give me a beautiful new set.”
However, the most important part of prom for many is their dress. Whether long or short, sparkly or matte, prom dresses can be bought from a multitude of places.
“Over spring break, I went to Europe with my mom and we found a beautiful dress there,” Garcia said. “I really liked this one because it felt unique and cool. Since this is my senior prom, I want it to be really special and exciting.”
While prom is often remembered by many through their dress or how they looked, students look forward to making memories and spending time together.
“After prom, I’m going to hang out with my friends,” Garcia said. “We’re going to try to enjoy our last day all together as seniors.”
