How to Look Flawless in Your Photos

Hello Gals!

Now that the Festive season is in full swing, photo opportunities will be everywhere, whether it be at family gatherings, holiday parties or for a photo shoot. Whatever the occasion this season, we all want to look amazing in our pictures. 

So today, I have some tips on how you can achieve a  flawless look in your photos throughout the party season.

Before we jump in, let's have a quick chat about SPF. There is so much controversy surrounding SPF and photos. I totally agree that SPF is one of the main culprits for making your face seem grey or ghost like in photos, however in my opinion instead of avoiding SPF like the plague, stay away from foundations and moisturizers containing a high SPF. Choose products that contain a lower SPF (below 20) as it is less likely to wash you out.

Face 

• Primer: Start by priming the skin with a primer. A good primer like, Too Faced Primed & Poreless or Garnier 5 Second Blur  will minimize pores, reduce the appearance of fine lines and even out you skin tone. Balancing these imperfections are key to aiding in a flawless foundation application.

 

• Foundation: Select a foundation that is of a matte or semi-matte finish to ensure that your face doesn't appear oily under the hot lights or the flash of the camera. Two of my favourite foundations for photography are Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay In Place Foundation and Revlon Colour Stay, they are lightweight, long wearing, smudge proof and can stand up to heat and humidity.
• For those of us gals with dry skin, I still recommend using a matte foundation for photos. Dry skin can be treated with  moisturizers and/or serums before foundation application to keep your skin hydrated and nourished.

• Concealer: When concealing under the eyes, first use a cream concealer like L'oreal True Match Super-Blendable Crayon  and make sure that matches your skin tone exactly, and apply it before your foundation. (Trying to cover your dark circles with a concealer lighter than your skin tone will result in highlighted grey raccoon circles) After you have applied your foundation, apply a liquid concealer that is that is one or two shades lighter than your skin. This will add  a brightness to the eye area. Another important thing to remember with concealer is that if it is not blended properly it will show in your photos, so blend, blend, blend. 

• Blush and Highlighters: Now here is where you want to add a shimmery glow to the cheeks and cheek bones. Choose a blush that is either of a satin finish like Sephora Micro Smooth Baked Blush  or of a cream finish like Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge. Combining a matte blush with your matte foundation  will end up making your complexion look very flat and one dimensional in your photos, and choosing a heavily frosted or glittery blush will make you appear greasy, so creating balance is key. Finish by applying a light dusting of highlighter like Nars Albatross to the cheek bones. 

• Powder: Skip the loose and translucent powders. Loose powders can be difficult to blend which will result in a streaky finish, and translucent powders also have the ability to wash out the complexion.  A flesh toned pressed powder like Maybelline Dream Wonder Pressed Powder for photos is my powder of choice, it is easier to blend, and does not wash your complexion.

Eyes 

• Shadow: Avoid glittery and overly frosted shadows. Again, these will make you look greasy under the flash and the glitter particles can sometimes show up as white spots on the eyes in your pictures. I would recommend using a combination of satin/slight shimmer shadows along with matte shadows similar to the ones in the Prism Eyeshadow Palettes  to give your eyes a balanced finish.

• Mascara: I love the idea of false lashes, as they add drama and make the eyes really stand out. However, if you are like me and can't wear false lashes all the time, apply baby powder between two coats of mascara (you can take a peek at my video to see exactly how this is done) Mind you, you won't get the same effect as using false eyelashes but your eyes will definitely pop in photos.

 

• Brows: Fill in your brows, even though you may skip this step in your daily routine, for pictures this step is a must as your completed look will be more polished.

Lips 

• Go for a creamy moisturizing lipstick or gloss similar to NYX Butter Lipsticks or Too Faced Melted. Choosing a heavily frosted lipstick or gloss can also translate as white spots in your photos. 

• Whether you opt for a lipstick or gloss, line your lips with a lip liner in a similar shade to give your lips  definition. 

I hope these tips are useful to you and that your holiday photos come out amazing! 

Thanks for reading.

What are some your tricks for looking flawless in photos?

Keisha xo