Photo Ready Makeup: Tips for a Photogenic Face

As a former actress, makeup designer, and a professional clown, I never had much trouble putting on makeup. I learned how to accentuate features and hide imperfections at a young age, and ever since I've gotten compliments from many people on my simple ability to design and put on makeup for myself and others. This is not a lecture on the fundamentals of good makeup design. This is simply a list of tips for anyone planning to have their photo taken who wants to look their best and enhance what they already use. I'm just putting some new tools in your toolbox, so to speak. As a professional photographer, I know how to retouch your images. Trust me, you'd rather I didn't have to. My job will be easier, and you will be happier with the end product knowing that the face you see is the face everyone else sees.

1. Be Yourself.
Nobody wants a photograph of a stranger hanging over the mantle! Whether you hire a professional or you do your own makeup, remember that it's still your face under there. Should you enhance your already stunning appearance? Yes. Should you diminish minor flaws such as acne? Yes. Should you change your generally natural look to that of the esteemed Cyndi Lauper, or vice versa? No. Anyone looking at a portrait of you ultimately wants to see you. You as they know you, you as they love you...not who you think you would be if you wore bright red lipstick every day. On the other hand, if you DO wear red lipstick every day, wouldn't a photograph of you look odd without that trademark? Make what you are and already do better (following the rest of these tips will help!).

2. Fit the Theme.
Whether this is a full blown wedding or just a photo session you're preparing for, it's a production. You've chosen the characters (subjects), scenery (location), and costumes (attire), your face should match. That being said, please remember the above #1 tip when choosing those things. If you aren't into vintage clothing and items, don't choose a flapper theme for your wedding or photo session. If you love gardening in the spring, an outdoor location and semi-casual attire are for you. Once you have these things, design your makeup to match. My favorite example is Liza Minelli. She has a very distinct look that is generally associated with the movie "Cabaret". It's gorgeous and unique. It immediately brings to mind a certain mood. Please don't make yourself up to resemble Liza for your summer photo session in a sculpture park wearing jeans and a blouse, for goodness sake. If you're questioning your choices, give yourself a trial run. Make yourself up, try on the clothes you've chosen, and imagine yourself in your location. You'll probably know right away if you need another try!

3. No Fake Tan.
Don't do it. Not the spray tan, not the lotion, none of it. If you're tan, you're tan. If you're not, you're not. I'm not sure when skin damage and cancer risk became sexy, but I wish it never had. All of us have heard, seen, or experienced a horror story or two about a bad fake tan, and the worst possible time to have one of your own is before your wedding or photo session. The fact is that this is the worst thing you can do, photo wise, to your skin. I can remove a pimple, but it's nigh on impossible for me to change your skin tone. When faced with Oompa-Loompa skin, you would probably receive all black and white proofs from me.

4. Use a Professional When You Can.
If it's your wedding day, it will be much less stressful if you have already worked out the details of your makeup with a professional with a clear chart. You will rest easy knowing you'll look great. Plus, many wedding makeup artists use airbrush makeup, which is practically unsurpassed in quality and makes for amazing photographs. If it's just a regular photo session (portrait, boudoir, etc.), ask your photographer if there's someone they recommend using that they've worked with before and understands the specific needs of being photographed, and if they will get a discount for using that makeup artist. If you've hired me as your photographer, I offer makeup consultation upgrades to all of my sessions except weddings, and I would be happy to help you look your best! If you can't afford or don't want to use a professional, don't stress. Many more tips to come!

5. Blend, Blend, and BLEND Some More!
It's true that you can use the same makeup you use every day for a photo session or on your wedding day. However, instead of skimping on the makeup for a natural look, use more, and blend it in! Ever wonder how a celebrity can look so amazing on camera at an event, and then still do a Proactiv commercial? She wears a lot more makeup than you or I and blends it into oblivion. Yes, you'll look very strange after you put on your foundation (it's all one color, so you won't have any dimension in your face), but once you add shading to your face with eyeshadow, blush, and perhaps bronzer, you'll start to look like yourself again. If you're concerned about your uneven skin tone or other skin flaws and don't want to cake on the foundation, ask your local makeup counter (or me!) about using complexion enhancers or corrective covers in combination with normal foundation. My Faeye Face line (which is the makeup I use in my consultation upgrades) has some great corrective cremes and sticks, as well as a prepackaged corrective palette, to take the guesswork out of it all.

6. Time of Day Matters!
If your wedding or photo session is in daylight (morning or afternoon), less is more. Go with natural tones that accentuate rather than overstate. If you are going to go a little edgier, experiment with your eye makeup. If you are having an evening wedding or photo session, feel free to get a little more dramatic. A dark liner and a smoky eye are great for evenings, but look a little out of place at brunch! This goes back a bit towards #2. The time of day is definitely part of the formality and mood of your session or event, so don't overlook it when you plan your attire and makeup.

7. Pre-Treat.
Your skin is the only skin you'll ever have, treat it well. Makeup gets a bad reputation for being damaging to your skin, but it doesn't have to be. Pre-Treat your skin with an appropriate moisturizer (many moisturizers come in different formulas for different skin types, read the label!) such as Philosophy's "The Present Clear Makeup", or any of my skin type specific moisturizers by Faeye Face. If you're using a concealer under your eyes (and you probably should) make sure it is a moisturizing concealer or blend it first with a light skin cream. The skin under your eyes is thin and sensitive, and always benefits from a little tender loving care. Pre-treat acne or pimples with an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory creme, then cover with concealer.

8. Do a Trial Run.
I've said it before, but I think it warrants it's own tip line...in case you were skimming over the others! This is the only way to make sure you, your makeup, and the whole package will look as wonderful as you want to. If it's a wedding you're planning, make good use of the opportunity by scheduling a bridal session on the day of your makeup trial. Put the whole package together, make sure you look beautiful, and then verify how great it looks in photographs!

9. Not All Foundation is Photo-Ready Foundation
The whole point here is to look great in photographs, and no matter how awesome it looks in the mirror, not all foundations will deliver. Stay away from any foundation with "shimmer" in the name, or any natural mineral foundations with a built in SPF. The minerals used to reflect the sun's light, whether it's purpose is to save your skin or create a "shimmer" also reflect the camera's flash and will wash you out in photos. Creme foundations with an SPF are fine, it's usually just the powder foundations that use these problem ingredients. Read the labels and make sure that your foundation meets both the needs of your skin and the camera! Annie May's "Advanced Mineral Makeup" is guaranteed not to wash you out under a flash, as are any of my Faeye Face foundations (which is good, since I chose them specifically for photography applications!).

10. Go Waterproof.
Life is unpredictable. Some of the best photographs I've ever taken were taken in a moment where water was involved. Maybe it starts to rain, or snow, a little or a lot...maybe you tear up or cry. Whatever it is, you'll want to be prepared. The best way to do this to go waterproof. It's true that waterproof makeup can be a chore, so my best suggestion is to use a waterproof makeup finisher (my favourite is Model in a Bottle: http://www.modelinabottle.com/, I used it at my wedding!) that gives you a matte finish and protects you from damp damage, otherwise known as face melting. Also make sure you use a good waterproof mascara. All of us know how unattractive raccoon eyes can be, and it doesn't take much moisture to make them appear.

11. Beware Fake Eyelashes.
Fake eyelashes are great. They can really be beautiful and help your eyes pop in photographs. This being said, there are many no-nos. If you've never worn fake eyelashes before, don't wear them on your wedding day. Weddings are long, drawn-out events, and you'll want to be as comfortable as possible. Also, the strange discomfort of wearing fake lashes when you aren't used to them makes you blink. A lot. If you are comfortable wearing fake lashes, or you think you'd like to try it for a short session (boudoir sessions are an especially good time), choose wisely. The best fake lashes are either individual ones (a pain to apply, but they fall off one at a time instead of as a strip and look very natural, which is a plus), or they have a clear line holding the lashes together (many cheaper lashes have a black thread, which can look fine in life, but in photos stands out like a strange, odd thumb). Another good idea is to actually look at your eye lashes in the mirror before you purchase. Everyone's eyelashes are different. Look at the color, the shape, and the pattern of the ends, and try to find fakes that match. Long, straight cut lashes have their purpose, but wedding and portrait photography isn't one.

12. Moisturize and Color Your Lips...Repeatedly.
We all see the numerous makeup brands touting their latest long-lasting lipstick formula on television. We are also not stupid enough to believe that they wouldn't keep coming up with new tactics if they had already perfected this common female problem. Don't pretend they have. The truth is that dry, cracked lips look just as terrible in photographs as they feel in real life. Moisturize your lips often (just a good every day practice), and apply lipstick liberally. Either matte or gloss lipstick photographs well, so no worries there, but make sure you use a matching lip liner and blend it well for the most defined lips. If this is your wedding day, find a great place to stash your lipstick and moisturizer so that you're never without it. You'll need frequent reapplication throughout the day.

13. No Glitter.
This goes back a bit to the part about foundation, but I felt it was worth mentioning. Don't use glitter lotion or sprinkle on glitter. Glitter reflects light in an odd way that looks perfectly normal to the naked eye, but cameras don't capture the "glitter" effect and it tends to look like spots on the photograph. Plus, there's always the fact that sprinkling on excess glitter makes you look like you're trying too hard.

14. Your Body Has Skin Too!
Don't forget to apply foundation, or at least powder to your neck, shoulders, and decollatage. This will give you the absolute best results and a more even tone.

15. Don't Forget the Guys!
If there's a guy in your photo, chances are he would benefit from something. If he has a complexion problem, is red from the sun (or too much to drink), or has a shiny head, try to convince him to use a bit of powder for best results. At the very least, slip a tube of chap stick into his pocket and remind him to use it.

I hope these are beneficial to you, and please feel free to respond to this blog or send me an e-mail with any specific additional questions you might have, and I'll be happy to answer them!

http://www.faeyephotography.com/