Makeup & Beauty Tips #1 | Client Reference

Photographers, feel free to pass this on to your clients who may have expressed that they need a little help in the beauty and makeup department. This is not a makeup tutorial but a general beauty post to make sure that you are your best in front of the camera. And as always, {disclaimer} these are just suggestions. If you have any questions relating to the product recommendations listed {i.e. where to purchase}, please email me!

First things first:

Try to clear up your skin. If you are prone to breakouts, I highly recommend Dermalogica’s brand of cleansers and moisturizers.

Dermalogica Clean Start

  • Start a few weeks before your shoot {if you have time} and clean your face every night ladies. Do not, {I repeat} do not sleep with your makeup on – ever! Be sure to remove ALL eyeliners/shadows/concealer from around the eye as well. I recommend Neutrogena Eye Makeup Remover.
  • Next, apply moisturizer (again I recommend Dermalogica’s brand) every night {I repeat} every night! If you have dry lips, the night before the shoot, apply a little bit of Vaseline to your lips and with a clean mascara wand, softly rub your lips. This will break up any dryness in your lips and make them soft and subtle.

{Continue this cleaning routine until the shoot, or rather, continue it… forever!}

Day of the shoot:

So you have woken up with a beautiful fresh face that is moisturized and hopefully you were able to fend off a few clogged pores in the prior weeks. Do not apply any make up on until you are ready for your shoot. It is not wise to put your make up on in the morning, go throughout your day and then go to your shoot at say… 2pm with the same makeup on from the morning. If you cannot live without your makeup {I’m sure some of you out there… are calling me crazy right now} go ahead and apply the smallest amount of makeup that you can get away with {such as mascara, eyebrow liner, and a little blush}. Then, when you are getting ready for your shoot, clean your face, remove extra makeup around the eye and moisturize. Then you can begin to applying your makeup on an even fresh clean surface.

{To sum it up, you need a fresh makeup application for your shoot. You need a FRESH face for the camera.}

More Tips and Tricks:

  • I highly recommend a primer such as Smashbox Photo Finish Primer. You can pick up a travel size at Ulta for around $15. Apply just a small amount {talking pea size} to your clean, moisturized face prior to any makeup application. It is the “glue” to your foundation.
  • Foundation and concealer. This is the BIGGEST thing for you to do. Make sure every single one of your pimples, blemishes, dark spots whatever it may be is completely covered by concealer {I recommend Amazing Cosmetics concealer} and apply foundation. Make sure you blend blend blend and more blend… not forgetting to blend around your hairline and your neck – people always forget their neck!
  • Your eyebrows need to be filled in and brushed. Most lovely ladies bypass the brows because they are forgettable – I know, that use to be me! But your face looks so much more “put together” when you include this step. For a softer brow, instead of an eyebrow liner {like the famous MAC Lingering} use a very MATTE eyeshadow that is a shade or two lighter than your eyebrow color. For those unruly thick brows, use a small amount of clear mascara {any clear mascara will do} to brush those babies and keep them tame!
  • Highlight your eyebrow bone even if you do not wear shadow. A basic ivory, even with a slight shimmer is perfect for under the brow.
  • Water lining your eyes. Your waterline is that area of your lid where your lashes end. Filling this area in with a black waterproof liner makes your eyes pop. And for those who wear shadow, lining this area with white (yes white) eyeliner makes your eyes appear more open and inviting.
  • Your cheekbones need some sort of color. I know I love my blush but of you out there are so scared to use it. Just brushing a little bit of a matte bronzer (I recommend Benefits bronzer in Hoola) underneath the cheek bone (if you need to know where that is, make a fishy face and where your cheeks sink in, apply a LITTLE there and blend).
  •  Lips: You need something on your lips. So make sure you pop on a little bit of gloss if anything.
  • My final tip is by Urban Decay’s Setting Spray. There is {De Slick} for those oily prone chicks and {All Nighter} as a long-lasting setting spray. After your makeup has been applied, spray yourself with a setting spray to lock in your makeup and make it last as long as possible. This will feel wet when you apply it so be forewarned. Make sure you only give a few pumps too – don’t over do it. And let it dry before you see yourself in the mirror – don’t need anyone freaking out over their wet face!

 

Good luck on your photo shoot! Can’t wait to see your amazing pictures!

Bre. Geiger