COVERAGE

Wear a little more makeup than you’re usual day to day makeup. This doesn’t mean dip your face in makeup; it simply means build up your foundation and concealer a little more or go for something with a higher coverage. Cameras tend to enhance flaws rather than our best assets. Remember to use layers and gradually work up as too much thick cakey makeup won’t look good on or off camera and for optimum coverage use a foundation and concealer brush to apply products.

MATTE

This is where a lot of people go wrong. When getting photographs taken, most people cannot pull off the dewy or luminous look as it often shows up as greasy and oily on camera. It’s best to opt for matte formulations; however, if you have dry skin these products may be too drying. If this is the case you may want to finish off your makeup with a dusting of slightly tinted setting powder.

PRIMER

Patchy makeup never looks great on anyone and makeup which has half faded or isn’t on the skin smoothly isn’t flattering, so it’s important to prime your skin using a primer. It’s best to use one with photo designed properties such as Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer.

NO SPF!

This is something that many people are so gracefully unaware of but it’s something that should be noted on your list of priorities. Most makeup contains at least some SPF especially foundations and concealers. Generally this SPF is made up of Titanium Dioxide or Zinc Oxide particles. These are pure white and they certainly show up like that on camera. So, at every opportunity opt for SPF free. And if you’re thinking you’ll be able to get away with using your everyday moisturiser packed with SPF underneath your makeup without it showing through; think again.

GO WARM

 Generally speaking you shouldn’t be using a pink or cool based foundation unless you want to look like your old grandma! A warm, yellow toned foundation/concealer will help to make your skin look younger, radiant and less sallow so it’s best to opt for one of these. Specifically in photographs as cameras emphasizes the pink tones in the skin. Using a cool based foundation can result in looking washed out and white.

CONTOUR

YouTube can be your best friend here. Just search for contour makeup tutorial and you will find a gazillion responses. In general, use a powder a few shades darker than your skin tone underneath the cheekbones, down the sides of the nose and around the temples to add depth to your face. Also, be sure to apply blush. Not too low (or you’ll drag your features down) and not too high (cameras can exaggerate the pinkness in the skin) you want to look gorgeous, fresh and naturally flushed, not sun burned.

DON'T GO NUDE

When it comes to the lips; nude and natural looking colors can look great to the naked eye. A camera flash?… Not so much! Cameras tend to wash out color, so instead opt for a color that’s a little brighter or intense than you’re everyday nude; try a brighter pink or subtle red!

NIX SHIMMER

In this case, unless you are a professional makeup artist, avoid shimmer; the shimmer will reflect back into the camera, giving a ghostly appearance.

SKIP THE HD

HD makeup is designed for film/video, (TV Shows, Movies) not necessarily flash photography. Most HD makeup contains silica which can photograph white, so it’s best to skip HD makeup just to be safe.