Girls Get Done Up for Prom Night

Merle Norman Cosmetics in Montrose was abuzz with activity on Saturday afternoon as high school upper-classmen prepared for their 2007 prom.

Young women from both La Cañada High School and Crescenta Valley High School sat across from each other as their pretty faces were enhanced by Kris Kline and sister Kim Kelly, owners of the Montrose Merle Norman.

About 28 girls in all were “made up” by professional make-up artists, with appointments starting as early as 10:30 a.m.

By 5 p.m., the team of artists were ready to relax. “We are heading over to Monty’s for a steak and a martini,” said helper Sue Peters of their after-hours plans. “We will really be ready for it.”

A few of the teens taking advantage of the skills Kline, Kelly and Peters were offering spoke not only of prom night, but also touched on their post-graduation plans.

Melissa Shimizu of La Cañada High School said, “I am going on to the Marshall School of business at USC where I will get my undergraduate degree and then I hope to work for Disney. I want to work up to executive level, so I hope and plan on being there for a while.”

Melissa said that her prom dress was “a wine-colored strapless with a sweetheart neckline. It has a mermaid bottom and I got exactly what I wanted, since I had it made.”

She planned to drive herself to the prom being held at Jim Henson Studios because she was going to a friend’s house afterward to spend the night hanging out.

Stacy Fogg of Crescenta Valley High School said that after graduation she will be going to Glendale City College, then transfer into Cal State Northridge. She plans on getting a business degree, but is not yet sure what she will do with it.

Of her prom make-up plans, Stacy said, “I made my appointment a few months ago. I was really worried about getting one, because I know that everyone makes their appointments after Homecoming — fortunately, I got one!”

Stacy, a bubbly blond, said that she had just purchased her prom dress that morning, with mere hours to spare before the big event.

“I had another one, but my mom didn’t like it, so we picked this one out this morning,” she said. The one gaining her mother’s approval was black with a wide blue sash that had a diamond shaped pin at the waist. The gown pouffed out in a crinoline at the bottom. The blue sash was picked as a perfect match for her brilliant blue eyes.

After the CV High prom, which was held at the Globe Theatre at Universal Studios, Stacy and her friends were going to spend the rest of the night enjoying the food, games, and fun at Prom Plus, a post-prom event held at the Crescenta-Cañada YMCA for CV High students.

Stephanie Graf of La Cañada High School said her mother made her appointment at Merle Norman back in December.

“We wanted to make sure we got the appointment,” Laurel, Stephanie’s mother, said. “We came here two years ago and now we won’t go anywhere else.”

Since the theme for the La Cañada Prom was “Old Hollywood,” Stephanie chose a floor length, strapless salmon-colored gown. She was planning to wear her long, dark wavy hair in a style reminiscent of Gloria Swanson.

As a top student, Stephanie was honored to be invited by Brigham Young University to attend the Freshman Academy. She can now get started on college credits a little early. This way, Stephanie can get a “jump start” on her education. She plans to major in either English or music.