If you know me (or have had a photo session with me) you know I am no makeup guru and therefore highly unqualified to write about photo makeup. Lucky for me I have a dear friend who just happens to be a makeup guru! We recently teamed up for a Facebook contest in which the winner received a photo session with professional makeup application. Let me tell you, as I was editing these images from that session I could tell a difference! I had to do a lot less work, which is awesome in my book. And which means my subject looked awesome in real life!
Again if you know me (or have had a photo session with me) you know that I by no means think that you should have to undergo a total makeover prior to your photo shoot. I love capturing images of who people are, what their relationships are, and reflecting a little about their personality. That's what I love about this post by Amanda at Mandy Marie Makeup, her tips aren't about creating a certain look (the Glamour Shots era is over, thank you) instead it's simply about knowing what will help you look like the best version of you, and what will work well with the camera.
Please enjoy this guest post by Mandy Marie makeup and check out her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mandymariemakeup.
Everyone wants to look fabulous in photos, but looking fab in photos requires different techniques than your everyday look. First, always start with a good primer. Primer blurs imperfections that the camera lens magnifies. Second, everyone needs a foundation. The last thing you want is to look washed out. Even if you normally wear a tinted moisturizer now is the time for more coverage. When choosing a foundation pick one without SPF, SPF reacts poorly with the flash and causes the appearance of an uneven complexion. To avoid reverse raccoon eyes mix under-eye concealed with a bit of foundation before applying. This helps prevent skin-brightening concealed from popping out and looking too white when a flash hits.
Now that the face is primed and flawless, dust a sheer matte bronzer around the perimeter to flatteringly shape your face and take the focus off your forehead. When choosing makeup for your photos keep in mind that matte finishes recede and shimmery finishes pop, meaning that your bronzer should be matte and your highlighter on your cheekbones and eyebrow bone should shimmer. Don’t forget your neck. If you stop your foundation/bronzer at your jaw line your face/neck color difference could be noticeable in photos (even if the contrast isn't noticeable in your mirror). The flash picks up things that are not noticeable to the eye.
Eyeliner is a must in photos and if you really want your eyes to pop, false eyelashes are the way to go. Ardell lashes are the most natural and easy to apply. Reinforce your brows. Brows bring out your bone structure in photos, so subtly sketch them in with a bit of pencil or brow powder. Don’t have a pencil or brow powder? A matte eye shadow works great. Mink from MAC is a personal favorite.
If you have major T-zone shine and regular powder doesn't cut it, try a blotting powder like MAC blot powder -this stuff is your new best friend! Brighten your blush. Don't be scared to go a bit brighter, peach is almost always a safe bet for warm skin tones and hot pink for cool skin tones. Cream or gel blush like Tarte work great under powder blush for all day wear and long photo shoots. Just be sure to blend around the edges, and choose blush that has gleam but not noticeable sparkles.
Most of all remember to relax and have fun. No one wants to look stiff and unnatural in photos; your smile is the best makeup trick around!
Go to products for photos:
MAC blot powder
Primer- Revlon photo ready, Elf, Smashbox photo ready
Tarte gel blush
Ardell Lashes
MAC eye shadow (Mink)
HD Powder- Make Up Forever/ Elf
HD Foundation- Make Up Forever/ Revlon Photo ready foundation
