Fix Your Makeup for Great Looking Photos

There are lots of things that can make you look great in photos, such as angles, lighting, the setting, your clothes, and the photographer's skill. But you can also help show yourself off to best advantage by getting the makeup right for photos and it might just be the opposite of what you expect as it's not all about caking it on!

Steps

  1. Avoid using too much makeup. When makeup is overdone, not only is this evident in real life but it also shows up in photographs. The only exception is for stage makeup but given you'd also have a fancy costume, then it would be clear to the viewer that it was for a performance.
  2. Conceal blemishes using light foundation. Only place this foundation where you think it is needed, such as over pimples or on the sides of your nose, etc. Avoid caking your whole face in it.
  3. Aim to have a matte face. A shiny face will reflect poorly in the camera and you won't look your best. To avoid too shiny a face, use matte-formula makeup to cover blemishes. For your eye area, use a creamy concealer with reflective qualities.
    • Avoid any foundation or other makeup containing titanium dioxide if flash photography is likely (it is a commonly used sunscreen in makeup). The shielding effect of the titanium dioxide on your face will make your face appear washed out and mask-like.
  4. Highlight your best features. Place blush on the apple part of your cheeks and some glossy lipstick to highlight lips. If you want longer lashes, consider adding false ones.
    • Avoid too much Highlight and Contour With Makeup; this can result in a washed-out look. Be sure to balance the look though - either eyes or lips should be the focus, not both.Blush should be contoured to ensure skeletal detail is brought out in the photo.
  5. Lengthen your lashes. Lashes tend to look a little bare and sparse on the camera. Give yourself an advantage by using the mascara wand to apply mascara. Comb out your lashes with the mascara wand with a wiggling motion. Open your mouth and apply the mascara in a windshield wiping motion for length. Make sure your lashes aren't clumped and spidery, the camera picks up every detail.
  6. Choose colors that look best in photos. Avoid Be a Pastel as these will wash you out. Colors the camera loves in makeup include reds, charcoal,emerald greens, golds and chocolate brown. Beige, tans and dusty shades do show up on the camera well. Anything that is rich and deep in color should look good in a photo.
  7. Exfoliate your lips. Unless you have the best editing team in the world, there is no way you can touch up chapped cracked lips in a photo. Warm your lips up with a washrag and apply any type of oil to your lips and buff away with a washcloth. Apply a nice layer of chap-stick to your lips to give them the dazzle they need.
  8. Highlight for the camera. To add life to your face, swipe a highlight pencil(shimmery not glittery unless you want to look like fairy) under the arch your brow and blend it in with a brush or finger. Highlighting the inner corners of your eyes can help them look brighter and large. Draw a light line down the center of your nose and blend to define it for that shimmering glow.
  9. Teeth. Swish with hydrogen peroxide, to give your teeth a healthy nice glow. You can also use lemons or baking soda for a all natural teeth whitener if you do not have any around. Remember not to get lipstick on your teeth and stay away from lipsticks that make your teeth look yellow.
  10. Be sure to check your makeup prior to the shoot. That way you be reassured that it's in good condition or you can quickly touch up anything not quite right.
    • For important events, such as a wedding, a career portfolio, a long-lasting family portrait, etc., seriously consider having Prepare for a Professional Business Portrait done. Explain to the makeup artist what the event is so that they can choose a look with you that suits the type of event.



Tips

  • Carry a hand mirror in your handbag for just such occasions as a photo shoot at work or play.
  • Exfoliate the dead skin from your lips prior to the photo. Then add lip balm to bring out a shine.
  • If someone comments that you're holding them up while you touch up your makeup, simply shoo them off; looking good in a photo lasts a lifetime!
  • Get a dark brown pencil (black is very severe on camera) and fill in your eyebrows lightly. Blend the pencil in, to give your eyebrows a soft but defined look.
  • Avoid any type of HD Powder. High Definition Powder (HDP) is intended for videos and moving media not still life photos! When light from the flash of the camera reflects off of the HD powder, you will see a smudge of bright white under the eyes or wherever else you have applied the makeup product. As you can see below, there are plenty of guilty celebrities.
  • To bring out your makeup and make your photo look brighter, don't be afraid to play with the contrast bar and adjustment levels in photo editing software.
  • Tone down any red appearance of your skin if you're going to be in black and white photos.
  • Highlight powder can work well for a fresh look. However, the skin should be flawless for any look that highlights, creates a moist, "dewy" look, and a sheen or else imperfections will shine forth.

Warnings

  • Don't overdo the makeup; less is definitely more. You don't want to look as if you rolled out of an 80s movie and fell on your face! Plus, people will think you are a faked.
  • Try to fit makeup to the mood you are in, or the audience you are trying to reach. Red lips and purple eyeshadow will not look great on a resume for a law firm.

Things You'll Need

  • Concealer
  • Chapstick
  • Lipgloss
  • Mascara
  • Brushes
  • Eyeliner
  • Mirror
  • Your face

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  • Linda Bird and Eve Cameron, The Best Value Beauty Book Ever, p. 3, (2007), ISBN 1-904902-85-5 – research source
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