Photoshoot Makeup Tips

I have done quite a bit of makeup for photoshoots, whether maternity or family, for friends or for myself, as with my recent maternity shoot with Happy Alpaca Photography. With the holidays upon us and because I often receive questions on tips for on-camera makeup, I wanted to compile a list of things I do  and recommend when having photos taken.

Mrs. Happy Alpaca herself, on the left during a family photoshoot, and on the right, when she was expecting that cute little fella in the photo on the left. I did her makeup for both of these. 

1. Prep and Clean Skin:
Begin days before, making sure to get enough water. Your skin will look brighter, smoother and you'll look fresh-faced and healthy in your final shots.

If you're a spa-facial kind of lady, schedule one for 2-3 days before your photos to target key concerns. An at-home facial can also do wonders. The day before your shoot, do a deep cleanse, and exfoliate. Currently I'm hooked on Goldfadden MD's Doctor's Scrub, which leaves my skin super hydrated (thanks to the hyaluronic acid), bright and baby soft. Finish your at-home treatment with a mask specific to your needs. Suggestions below:

• Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask, for an overall skin detox
• Hada Labo Ultimate Ant-Aging Facial Mask, for a hydration boost 
• Glam Glow YouthMud Tinglexfoliate Treatment, it's a complete facial in a jar
• First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Purifying Mask, for cleaning pores and fighting blemishes 
• Honey and brown sugar, a simple homemade mask to help soothe redness 

2. Moisturize and Prime:

Moisturize before applying any products to have a good foundation to work on. Stick with daytime formulas to avoid looking too shiny. Before applying foundation, use a primer on your skin, focusing on areas where your pores may appear larger. Hourglass's Mineral Veil is the smoothest finish I've found so far. 

3. Lighting:

Do your makeup in natural daylight or bright lighting. Odds are you'll be having photos done in some natural light, so you want to know exactly how much makeup you need to highlight your features without looking harsh.

4. Tools:

Apply foundation with a good foundation or stippling brush, or a BeautyBlender for liquid foundation for a soft focus finish. Brushes I like include Sigma's 3D HD Kabuki Brush and Sephora's Pro Stippling Brush #44. Sometimes I'll even spritz my brush with clean water for an extra hydration boost and smoother application.  Get a soft, natural look on your eyes using a blending brush like MAC's 224 Tapered Blending Brush. Make sure whatever blending brush you use for your eyes has long, fluffier bristles. 

5. Flawless Complexion:

Achieve a flawless complexion in photos by sticking with semi-matte or matte foundations, and avoiding shimmer. While great for evenings and parties, shimmers or highlighters can bring out imperfections in the skin, and with light from flash or the sun, they will be even more prominent due to harshly cast shadows. 

If you love highlighter as much as I do, reserve it for the inner corners of eyes to brighten and look more awake. You can also subtly highlight the highest point on your cheekbones, right under the outer corners of your eyes. 

6. Contour:

Because bright lighting can wash you out, you will want to contour to add depth and definition to your features. To avoid a harsh contour, apply a matte powder bronzer that's taupe or brown and not too orange, with a stippling brush, blending well. One of my favorites is the Too Faced Milk Chocolate Soleil Bronzer. Avoid contour creams as these can be disastrous if not blended well. 

7. Add Healthy Color: 

Blush will look great on camera and will also keep you from looking washed out. Apply a matte blush in coral or soft pink, like Urban Decay's Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Blush in Indecent, to your cheeks by smiling and blending upwards from the apple towards your temples.

8. Define Your Eyes: 

In addition to defining your eyes with neutral shadows, brighten them by adding a solid liquid or gel line on your top lash line, false lashes if you can manage to get those on and two coats of mascara. Define the lower lash line more subtly either with eyeshadow or a soft brown eyeliner. Drawing attention upwards will make you appear fresh and awake, which is perfect for early morning shoots.

9. Keep Hydrated:

If your shoot is scheduled for a warm morning or afternoon, stay hydrated throughout. If you're not properly hydrated, you're more likely to sweat and risk runny makeup or a shiny face. Consider a cooling mist like Caudalie's Grape Water Spray, which will keep your skin fresh while helping you avoid overheating. 

10. Set Your Makeup: 

For  a longer photo shoot, set your look with a setting spray like NYX Matte Finish Setting Spray. You'll be at ease knowing everything is in its place.