Makeup In Front of the Lens

It’s common to panic just before a photoshoot and wonder, What makeup should I wear to look good in front of the lens? The eye of the camera isn’t the same as the human eye, and after lighting tricks and editing, the picture may or may not look like real life. So when you’re in front of the mirror questioning what makeup to wear to show off your best self, what should you remember? As a photographer, I’ve constructed a list of five tips to help you turn your potential makeup crisis into a guaranteed masterpiece.

Blend foundation and bronzer.

Unless you’re going for a specific look where you want your bronzer to stand out, I suggest blending! Uneven skin tones not only stand out in the raw photo but also become even more apparent when the photographer is editing and adjusting the lighting. These adjustments can make the contrast between light and dark shades more discernible, so an uneven line of foundation or bronzer will pop! In addition, make sure your foundation matches your natural tone because similar to blending, the contrast between light and dark will stand out. When in doubt, I would suggest going lighter rather than heavier on foundation and bronzer.

Also, if you tend to have a ruddy facial tone (like myself), plan accordingly. Foundation powder can be a helpful finish to your makeup look if you want to cover up an oily surface or ruddy tone, especially in the heat! Throw your foundation powder in a small bag and reapply during the shoot if necessary. If you’re shooting outdoors, this could be a lifesaver!

2. Pay attention to lips.

If I had to single out one feature to pay the most attention to, I would say focus on the lips. For some reason, the camera loves to make your lips stand out. If your lips look a little pale, that will stand out more than other factors. If you’re in a time crunch and have to decide between doing your lips or another feature, choose lips! A glossy finish over a colorful base coat will look better than just clear gloss. Your natural lip color is typically not enough to stand out in photos, and in my experience, lined lips or colorful lipstick aids in making your photos even better. Don’t worry if you need to reapply – throw your lipstick or gloss in a bag (with your foundation powder if you go that route) and put more on halfway through the shoot if it comes off! When it comes to angling, if you have a pretty lip look going on, purse your lips a little at the camera to show off your makeup.

3. Have fun with highlighter.

I’ve never personally noticed any of my models wearing too much highlighter. I’m sure it can happen – especially if you wear a more white-tinted highlighter – but it’s not commonly overdone. I love wearing highlighter because it adds a touch of glow without being too high-maintenance, or attracting as much attention as other techniques. I’ll even put some on my eyelids if I don’t feel like wearing eyeshadow and mascara that day. If you’re pressed for time and need to finish off a good skin look before a shoot, I would recommend going for some highlighter! It’ll make your cheekbones appear higher and your face more glowy – a win-win solution. I recommend going for a warmer tone so it won’t be a dramatic statement (such as with white) unless that’s what you’re purposefully going for. If you are shooting in a direct light source, tilting your chin upwards – especially if the photographer is shooting your profile – can allow the camera to capture the beautiful qualities that highlighter brings to a look

4. Match your eyeshadow to the tone of the shoot.

Eyeshadow can make your makeup pop in a photo shoot in a prominent way, but be sure to match your eyeshadow look with the tone of the specific shoot. Discuss the vision before the shoot with your photographer to avoid a mismatch between the makeup aesthetic and the concept. Darker lighting and an eerie or magical setting would go well with a hazy shade. Light, ethereal lighting would go well with glitter or nude shades. If you want to go crazy with colors, confirm the colors match what the photographer has in mind. For instance, purple eyeshadow will stand out more if the other colors in the shoot are muted, making editing difficult for the photographer. But if you communicate about the tone of the shoot ahead of time, feel free to have fun with your eyeshadow!

Following these five steps will alleviate some makeup-related anxiety that coincides with a photoshoot. If you keep these tips in mind, you're guaranteed to achieve a makeup look that flaunts your best features in front of the lens.

Strike Out,

Writer: Ellie Amos

Editor: Emily Montarroyos

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