How to Prepare Your Skin For The Camera

Perhaps you are taking pictures for a wedding, or you have a graduation or baby dedication pictures planned; -whatever the occasion, knowing how to prepare for the camera is essential if your pictures are to turn out right. Nobody likes to spend the extra time doing retakes! Outlined below are some important steps to take in making sure that your pictures turn out to be the best.

1. Start with a clean, moisturized face

The camera will highlight any patches of dry or oily skin. Apply your makeup primer a few seconds after your lotion has soaked in.

2. Apply a foundation primer

Makeup primer will even out the texture of your skin and help fill in fine lines, acne scars, or pores. Primer Allows the foundation to sit on top of your skin rather than sink in and clog pores. let the primer set for about 25 seconds before you apply any  foundation.

3. Use a non-SPF liquid or creme foundation.

When the camera flash goes off, SPF may give a white cast to your skin. Skip SPF foundation if you are having any pictures taken. Try “camera-friendly” foundations such as : Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, Prescriptives Flawless Skin, and Chanel Teint Innocence.

4. Take extra time blending foundation around the hairline and jawline.

This will eliminate any unattractive line of demarcation that the camera is sure to pick up on.  Even if you aren’t having your picture taken, remember to  always blend foundation well.

5. Avoid  shimmery bronzers and blush.

Many shimmery powders do not fare well on camera. Use a matte bronzer instead, use one that is slightly darker than your skin tone. No one wants to look orange!

6. Use eye shadow base or primer & keep your eye shadow and eyeliner from smudging.

This is especially important if you are going to be shooting pictures outside in the heat or in a heavily lit camera studio. Eyeshadow and eyeliner can melt and smudge, leaving you looking like a raccoon… MAC Paints in a non-shimmery, neutral color like Bare Canvas is an excellent choice.

7. Avoid using pearlescent eye shadows.

Matte eye shadows photographs better on camera. Use shimmer sparingly: Applying a small amount of a champagne-colored eye shadow in the inner corner of each eye will translate into a beautiful glimmer as well as make your eyes look brighter and wider!

8. Keep the eye color shades fairly natural.

You want to enhance your eyes, not just show the color of your eye shadow. Bobbi Brown has matte eye shadows in awesome  neutral shades such as beige, soft brown, soft pink, and peachy colors that help in enhancing your eyes.

9. Use a bit more cheek color than you normally would, but choose a fleshy tone.

The effect you’re going for  is to enhance and brighten your face while balancing out the eyes and lips. Look for neutral and natural  soft pinks and peachy tones.

10. Line your lips with a lip liner that is the same color or abit lighter than your lipstick.

Define your lips, this means avoiding dark lines around a light center (this is the “Oreo Cookie lips”). Pick a lip color that will enhance and not overwhelm your face.  Avoid pale or nude-colored lips instead, choose something soft, bright, and medium in shade and depth.