Photogenic Makeup Tips

There are many sources to help you learn how to apply makeup. However, not all makeup is photogenic. A camera captures light and color slightly different than our eyes. These ideas come from the experience of a photographer and digital touchup artist. You can greatly enhance your natural beauty with some simple knowledge.
Hiring a makeup artist is not absolutely necessary. With some practice you can do a great job yourself and it is a valuable skill to learn for daily application. Start out by visiting makeup counters and have them show you how to apply foundation and color. The following are some tips of mine on specific items; at the end of the article I have included some of my favorite products.

*Sparkles – While beautiful in real life sparkly makeup and powders will show up in photographs as little white specks on your skin. Keep this in mind if you wish to avoid white specks on your cheeks, cleavage and eyes. Most “shimmery” eye shadows photograph well as long as they do not contain glitter.

*Blush – A hint of color on your cheeks will add a beautiful glow. But remember to apply lightly; it’s easier to digitally add a little color than it is to take it away. Have a salesperson at a cosmetic counter or a makeup artist show you how to use blush to contour your face and always keep in mind a little goes a long way.

*Eyes – Use a light hand when lining your lower lashes. A heavy line is not flattering and you don’t want it to smudge; this would create shadows under your eyes. Practice using powder and a very fine brush either wet or dry. This gives the most natural results with just the right amount of enhancement. Use mascara that matches your hair and complexion. Be careful not to apply so much that your lashes become clumpy. Clumps will show in close up pictures and are extremely difficult to fix digitally.

*Concealer – A dab of concealer well blended under your eyes will help you look young, fresh and awake. Use a touch on the inside of your nose (between your eyes) since shadows there are not flattering. Also, use a little concealer on any blemishes but never use it on the outside corner of your eyes as it will accentuate fine lines. Wrinkles and blemishes can be taken care of digitally after the photo shoot, but this can be expensive.

*Powder – Lightly dusting your face with translucent powder will set your makeup and give it a professional finish. If you have oily skin there are better ways to deal with shine than to bring powder along and continually apply it. I advise against this because adding more and more powder to your face will just make it look “cakey” and unnatural; you don’t want to look made-up. It is best to purchase inexpensive oil-blotting sheets. Mary Kay has the best one on the market. They are 100% linen and give your skin a very natural “matte” finish.

*Lips – Color on your lips is very important but stay away from dark (or almost black) reds. As I mentioned previously, it is much easier to digitally add color than it is to take it away. Visit a makeup counter or a makeup artist to find the perfect color. You do not want matte lips; you want them to look soft and shiny but not too glossy. High gloss will not photograph well. I suggest using a gloss and then blotting it a little using the oil absorbing sheets listed above.

*My favorite way to do lips is to use a permanent lip stain and then gloss over it. I like Mark’s (by Avon) KissInk but it can be a bit bold. Apply lightly and rub with your finger to get the right shade then apply gloss over the top. This method is very long-lasting. You won’t need to reapply the color, although I would bring your gloss along. KissInk is a bit drying and will not be for you if your lips are extremely sensitive but it seems to work fine if you use a moisturizing gloss.

My favorite products:

*Mary Kay Beauty Blotters® Oil-Absorbing Tissues ($5.00 for 75 sheets) – These seem to be the best at absorbing oil
*Sally Hansen Lip Inflation (Walmart) – There are more expensive lip plumpers, but this one seems to do the job and doesn’t sting. It is very glossy and needs to be blotted.
*Mark (Avon) KissInk Lip Tintmarkers ($6.00) – Excellent product, practice using it days before you plan to be photographed so you know which shade is perfect and how dark to wear it.
*Estee Lauder Maximum Cover Camouflage Makeup ($28.50) – great for hiding blemishes and scars, may even work on small tattoos (ask your makeup artist).

The most important tip is to practice. Take some time finding the right shades that work for you. No matter what makeup you choose remember to blend well. Invest in high quality brushes and clean them often according to their instructions. Get enough sleep the night before your photo shoot so you can feel well rested and look your best.