Modern-day Cinderellas

Lonely Hearts Club. Photo / Supplied

If you're still scrambling around trying to sort out your look for the school ball or end of term party, here's inspiration from some leading New Zealand designers.

You may not be able to afford a brand new dress, but between the styles picked out by Karen Walker, Cybele, Juliette Hogan, Miss Crabb, Lonely Hearts, and Fast and Loose and the hair and makeup ideas pulled together to match from the creative team at Stephen Marr, we reckon there's enough inspiration here to help you come up with your own knockout look. Get plenty of wear out of a well-chosen dress by choosing something short to take you through to the end-of-year party season.

As well as today's exclusive designer frock selection, Viva has also spoken to top hair stylists for the lowdown on what's rocking senior school. They reckon red carpet glam is the go. From the Eastern Suburbs to the Shore, we're told up-dos aren't so popular this season, but then neither is the natural long look.

Jennifer Morgan of Morgan and Morgan in Takapuna says long, but carefully waved hair is the most popular style among her young clients. She cites the influence of Gossip Girl's Blake Lively and old-style Hollywood sirens and says long hair often suits teenagers more than having it scraped back.

Bettjemans in Orakei is also big on blow-drying bouncy curls for full-on style. At Servilles, Olivia Noble, of the international creative team, suggests sweeping long loose hair to the side and wearing over one shoulder a la Kates Beckinsdale and Bosworth or modernising a messy up do with a soft braid at the front like Peaches Geldof. For a sleek look the classic French roll works, tied either low or high.

Lucy Marr says girls who don't want to go all out like an Oscar contender, can opt for a dishevelled top-knot and smudgy soft makeup rather than falling back on contrived up-dos. Conversely, one of her favourite more edgy looks is the top-heavy pompadour her team came up with to match Fast and Loose's body-conscious dresses - showing that fashion is nothing if not perverse and you may as well have fun rather than play it safe. (Check out www.stephenmarr.co.nz.)

Remember ball night isn't a training run for your wedding day, so ditch the dated pretty princess look in favour of something fashion forward. Amp up your hair and makeup to create anything from the classic Hollywood vamp with voluptuous curls and red lippy, to a Twilight-inspired gothic look or a quirky, individual twist on vintage styling.

Whatever mother says, eyeliner and hairspray is your best friend.

Body Shop silver shadow $20.
Metallic silver shadow works a treat in the inner-corner of the eye or across the lids.

Revlon Crayon Contour Kohl in Midnight Blue $26. The new smudgy eye is deep blue rather than charcoal. This soft pencil has an inbuilt tip to help blending.

Za Waterproof Mascara in Blue $19.90. A fine-brush to define lashes in electric blue.

Napoleon Perdis Luminous Lip Veil in Rare Opal $27. Super shine, lychee-flavoured, pale gloss to wear alone or over lipstick.

Maybelline Collosal in Glam Black $22.99. The latest bumper brush mascara from the affordable experts.

Maybelline Superstay lip colour in Wine (No 745) $23.49. A dark blood-red colour that you paint on, let dry, then cover in balm to set so it lasts well past witching hour.

L'Oreal Resist and Shine Titanium polish in Navy-Violet $14.99. A deep almost black blue for your nails.