Makeup 101: Tips To Look Better In Photos

Hey, beautiful!

Have you ever finished doing your makeup for an event and looking in the mirror you think “Wow, that looks really great!” but once you take a picture you’re like “Well, that looked better in person…”? This used to happen more often than not to me, until I got the hang of it…

Many things can play a role in making your makeup look different in a picture as to how it looks in real life… Bad indoor or outdoor lighting, the weather, camera flash, the camera itself, you name it. That’s why today I’ll be giving you some tips on what to do and what not to do when you know you’ll be taking photos in your makeup, so none of the factors above ruin your photo! Let’s get started…

*Prep and prime: the first step is to apply a light moisturizer to make sure your skin is looking healthy and hydrated. Then, apply a good primer to ensure your makeup will stay on longer and that you have a smooth, photo-ready skin to work on.

*Go for the mattes: a matte finish is always better since it does a better job at reflecting the color of the product you’re using. Instead, makeup with shimmer or sparkle will give you a sheerer look in photos since it reflects more light.

*Avoid SPF: SPF, as good as it is, can wash you out and give you white cast in photos. Make sure the products you’re using don’t have SPF in them. If it is an outdoor event, use a chemical sunscreen instead of a physical one.

*Go bold on your makeup: the camera can diminish the features you’re trying to accentuate with makeup, so make sure you’re going a little bolder than usual.

*Contour: contouring the hallow parts of your face will help add back any definition you may lose in the photo. As mentioned previously, go a little heavy on the contour but don’t overdo it and remember to always blend so there are no harsh lines. Here’s a tutorial on contouring if you want to read it!

*Make sure your eyes stand out: not that you need to apply black mascara all over your lid, but make sure your eyes are defined and that they stand out from the rest of your makeup. This is the perfect occasion for false eyelashes!

*Create balance: while there are some features you’re trying to make more noticeable, like your eyes and contours of your face, there are some others you need to be careful with… Don’t go heavy on the brows (here’s a tutorial on how to get perfect brows!) or on the cheeks, for example.

*Find your light and angles: I know you have practiced in front of the mirror! It’s time to pretend you're a model now and position yourself how you know works best for you. You can also take a few selfies before the event to make sure everything is looking how you think it is.

*Have a touch-up kit: this kit will be your best friend during those night outs and events! Make sure to have a compact powder (translucent preferably) or oil-blotting sheets and a concealer for touch-ups throughout the event.

You’re ready for your close-up now! Next time you’re at an event, you’ll take a killer photo.

I hope you learned a few things with this post! Come back this Tuesday for a new post(;

Bye, beautiful!

Twitter: @stephanieccls

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