They came in all colors and textures — up ’dos, down ’dos and braids.

Welcome to prom prep — free and courtesy of a team of volunteer hairdressers, makeup artists and manicurists Friday at Highlands High School.

The special primping event took place hours before Highlands’ prom, “A Night at the Elegant Gardens,” Friday evening.

“It makes me feel special, I’ll tell you that,” said Suki Scheer, 17, of Harrison as a hairdresser curled her long black locks into flowing movie-star tresses. “I have no talent at this.”

The eyeliner, the luscious lashes and the dizzying palette of eye shadow was applied by professional makeup artists or volunteers with an artistic flair.

Volunteers included stylists from Fantastic Sams in Buffalo Township and New Kensington and independent stylists.

“It feels like I’m getting pampered,” said Sara Hanley of Tarentum, as Ashley Sladisky of Springdale applied her makeup. Soon, another volunteer braided her hair.

About a month ago, while teachers were helping with free prom dresses — now a common practice at many schools — two health and physical education teachers, Kathy Black and Kristen Lucchino, thought, “what about makeup and hair?”

The district’s spokeswoman, Jennifer Goldberg, put the idea up on Facebook about a month ago, and it went viral with almost 10,000 people reached. Then, the calls came in with people offering services.

“It just took off,” Goldberg said.

About 15 volunteer hairstylists, makeup artists, manicurists and others prepped about 17 girls. The services were also offered to high school boys but none took up the offer, according to Black and Lucchino.

Superintendent Monique Mawhinney stopped in and commented that there was never any prom prep like this when she was a student.

“This shows how supportive the community and staff is, from the donations of the dresses to the hairdressers, makeup artists and other volunteers,” she said.

Then, looking at the stations with multiple volunteers working on the girls’ makeup and hair, Mawhinney said, “See how beautiful these girls are. I am just so excited for them.”

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