When I talk to my clients in preperation for a session, I always emphasize the importance of looking and feeling your best the day of the shoot. This involves picking the right outfit, shoes, accessories and today’s focus: makeup. Now I’m probably the person least qualified to talk makeup (my routine takes all of 5 minutes …and that’s when I’m trying!), but I have seen what works – and doesn’t – behind the camera. For starters, don’t feel like you have to splurge on a professional makeup artist in order to look your best. With just a few little makeup tips, you will shine on the day of your shoot. Here’s how:
• Less is more when it comes to your skin. Hydrate your skin with a good moisturizer the night before and morning of your session. Believe it or not, blemishes are fairly simple to remove in Photoshop, so don’t go overboard on foundation. I prefer the look of tinted moisturizers (like this one by Laura Mercier) because they provide a nice glow without covering the texture of your skin. If you want extra coverage, target problem areas with a bit of concealer/ foundation.
• Bring the focus to your eyes. Just don’t go overboard with too much eye makeup. Putting shimmery eyeshadow on your eyelids and brow bone enhaces your eyes for a wide-eyed effect. Try curling your lashes and topping it off with one or two coats of lengthening mascara for a natural look.
• Keep you lips moisturized. Flattering lip colors vary on everyone, but moisturized lips are essential across the board – this goes for guys too. And unlike blemishes, chapped lips are a little harder to fix when editing. So keep a chapstick or lip balm handy (like Rosebud Salve) for the picture perfect pout.
• Consult with your photographer. Makeup can vary drastically depending on the “look” you’re going for in your photos. A hip urban session may benefit from more dramatic makeup as opposed to a ethereal maternity shoot. So talk with your photographer about what you want for your session and together, work on a makeup look that’s right for you.
• Polish your look with proper grooming. Ladies make sure that you take care of any stray hairs on your face and wax/tweeze/thread your eyebrows before the session. For guys, a fresh haircut and shave (or trim for scruffy/bearded fellows) will help you look your best the day of your shoot.
• Now take everything I said and forget about it! At the end of the day, only you know what works for you. Sure these are some universal tips, but the whole purpose of a photo shoot is to have fun and feel your best – and that can only happen if you feel comfortable in your skin. Do what makes you feel beautiful because if you feel fabulous, it will shine through in your photos!
lou - i love your tips. especially the “don’t use too much make-up”. never thought this could be something to consider.
the last picture is a blast. you all just look gorgeous!!
Amy - Ooh, thanks for the tip on the Rosebud Salve . . . I’m always looking for new products for my lips. Especially in the winter! As it stands now, I cannot go anywhere with my Aquaphor! :)
Life with Kaishon - I love your tips! Awesome-ness!
Cafe Fashionista - Awesome, awesome tips, Maddy! There is nothing more flattering than a moisturized lip in pictures! :)
Keeley @ My Life on a Plate - Great tips! I’m struggling with blemishes right now, so I’m happy that they are easy to fix via Photoshop.
Maddy {Mad Hearts Photography} - You and me both! I feel like a teen all over again with all these sudden breakouts :( But thank heaven for Photoshop!
Christina Lee - Makes a bunch of sense, Maddy (esp. the chapped lips)!!!
Camila Faria - I’m definitely not a make-up person, but I loved your tips Maddy. Simple and easy.
Tiera - Awesome tips! The one big thing I picked up from a few years of doing wedding makeup was to be true to yourself. Don’t go overboard with a makeup look you would normally never wear and stay away from anything that makes you feel uncomfortable. You won’t look your best if you don’t FEEL like the best you :)
Sarah - What a great post! It’s so true. I am not great at makeup either but it does make a huge difference. When I did airbrush makeup for my wedding it was so much fun and it did make the pictures look so nice!
Elle Sees - i would add not to try a new look the day of the shoot. practice beforehand or do your regular look! the last tip of yours made me smile!
Buckeroomama - You are so right about the lips… When I was looking at the photos I took of Z yesterday, I was dismayed to find that her lips were chapped. I wish I had some lip balm on me…
By the way, that last shot? Worth a million dollars! I LOVE it! It’s like something straight out of a glossy mag. I bet each of the girls in the pic loved how they look there, too, One of them even looks like Cameron Diaz. :)
Maddy {Mad Hearts Photography} - So true, Tiera! I also find that being “true” to yourself is most important. The key is to feel and look like your best YOU, not to look like a completely different person :)
Maddy {Mad Hearts Photography} - That’s a great one!! Getting ready can be nerve wrecking enough without experimenting with a new makeup look the day of the session :) You girls are all just chock-full of helpful tips!
Nadette@Eat, Read, Rant! - I just discovered rosebud salve, and I’m in love, this stuff is a miracle worker! These are great tips, I’m looking at my family’s really bad portrait from a few years ago…I followed none these rules, lol. what a mess
Angelia Sims - These are great tips! I knew nothing about make-up until my wedding. A beauty consultant blog friend told me what to buy (exactly) and I was blown away with the results. Finally, I was a girl who could wear it without sweating it right off. Yay!