How to Look Great in Photographs
There are a few key makeup tips however that will help you look great and feel ready for your closeup. (Photo: Ben Ritter)
As a makeup artist that is often in front (and behind) the camera, I know that the experience can be intimidating, especially if you don’t feel confident about how you look. There are a few key makeup tips however that will help you look great and feel ready for your closeup.
A couple of days before the shoot drink plenty of water and eat healthy. If you feel good on the inside, you’ll look great on the outside.
Begin by prepping skin with moisturizer so that makeup appears smooth and even. Avoid using moisturizers with SPF as they can reflect light in a photograph.
Brighten up the under eye area with a concealer in one or two shades lighter than your foundation. This step can make the biggest difference in your appearance. It makes eyes appear brighter, which also helps to give the face a lift.
Apply a skin-tone correct foundation anywhere you notice any redness. Your skin will look smooth and even. Next, follow with a light dusting of pressed powder. This is an important step because it helps control shine. Whether or not you have oily skin, it can appear shinier in photos due to the flash.
To avoid looking washed out, warm up skin with bronzer. Apply where the sun would naturally hit your face, such as the nose, cheeks, chin and forehead. Apply on neckline and chest so that the rest of your body matches the face.
Don’t forget to apply blush. I recommend a pop of pink blush because it instantly livens up the face. For photos, it’s a good idea to use two shades of blush so that the color comes through on photos. Begin by applying a neutral shade to the apples of your cheeks and finish with a pop of brighter blush just on the apples.
The same rule applies for lipstick. Don’t be afraid to add up some color. Choose a shade that’s slightly brighter than your natural lip color so that your lips stand out.
When it comes to eyes, use a flat matte eye shadow on the upper lid and then use eye liner to define eyes. Avoid lining eyes on the bottom as this can make eyes appear smaller. Also, skip shimmery eye shadows that can reflect light and look shiny in pictures. Use really black mascara to open up eyes.
I like to define eye brows with a powder formula since it looks the most natural. This will help frame eyes and give you an instantly polished look – without looking overdone. You can also use this shade to touch up any grey hairs.
Adjust your makeup depending on whether you will be indoors or outdoors. When taking photos in natural sunlight, make sure to keep your makeup soft and neutral. Contrarily, indoor lighting tends to wash out the color of your skin so you can be more liberal with how much makeup you apply.
Related:
The Four Essential Makeup Brushes Every Woman Should Own
