Whether you’re heading on a bachelorette trip with the girls, are going to get your passport photo taken, or are constantly taking photos for your Instagram, we’ve rounded up must-know makeup tips to look better in photos. Changing up your makeup routine with smart techniques can make all the difference, completely transforming your face in photos. From prepping your skin to natural application, and perfectly enhancing your lips, you’re going to love these tips and tricks!
1. Apply Your Makeup In Natural Lighting
You should always try to apply your makeup in natural light, especially if you know you’re going to have photos taken. Natural lighting is easily dispersed and gives you a good view of what you’re doing across your face.
This makes it easier to see if something isn’t blending right or if you should be adding more coverage to certain areas. Setting up your mirror behind a window with natural light is an optimal spot for applying makeup. If you don’t have access to natural light or it’s cloudy outside, white light is the next best option as it’s closest to daylight.
2. Prep Your Skin with a Primer
Using a primer to prep your skin will give your skin a nicer finish and help your makeup last longer. Primers can also help even out skin tone, cover up your pores and give a smooth texture to your skin. This helps you avoid any patches or makeup clumping, which is ideal for photos. A primer provides a smooth canvas for applying the rest of your makeup, and will help it last throughout the day.
3. Go Easy On the Contour
Going heavy with the contour can age your skin and tends to look unnatural in photos. Instead, lift and sculpt the face with strategic highlighter placement and bright yet natural blushes. You want to enhance your cheeks without appearing too heavy, and peachy-toned blushes and clever highlighting are a great way to lift your face in a natural way. Try products like the BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter and the Anastasia Beverley Hills Blush Trio.
4. Makeup 2 Make You Look Fab in Photos | Allana Davison
If you’re looking for makeup tips to look better in photos for Instagram, this is the tutorial for you! It’s an everyday makeup look that’s smoothing, glam and long-lasting and will make you feel absolutely fab! Other than her foundation and concealer, she uses a full face of powder products including the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder, the Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder and the BECCA Mineral Blush. Follow her tips for each step and get ready for picture perfect glam.
5. Start with Skincare
Good skincare is the key to flawless makeup application. Make sure you’re cleansing your skin well, exfoliate, use a toner and serum to hydrate, then moisturize and apply your SPF. You can also try setting your skincare with translucent powder and setting spray before you move on to your makeup to make it look smoother and stay in place for longer.
6. Think Natural When It Comes to Brows and Lashes
Stencilled brows and clumpy lashes are no good for photos. Naturally defined brows and lashes are definitely the way to go. Opt for a separating mascara such as the Maybelline Define-A-Lash Mascara for lengthened lashes with zero clumps. In terms of your brows, consider a pen like the Lime Crime Bushy Brow Precision Pen to create natural, hair-like strokes.
7. How to *Actually* Look Nice In A Passport/ID Photo | The Best Makeup | Sonya Esman
If you dread taking passport/ID photos, this tutorial shows you how to do your makeup to look great in those photos. The key to this makeup look is keeping the centre of your face light and highlighted so it’s super snatched and contoured. She uses products like the MILK Mattifying + Blurring Makeup Primer, the NYX Lift and Snatch Eyebrow Tint Pen and the NYX Butter Gloss.
8. Don’t Forget Your Neck
If you stop your foundation and bronzer at your jawline, your face and neck colour difference will be super noticeable in photos. Make sure you’re bringing your makeup down to your neck so there isn’t a stark contrast. This may not be super noticeable in your mirror, but you’ll be able to tell in photos so be sure to do your due diligence!
9. Create Soft Smokey Eyes
Going too bright or dark with your eyes isn’t ideal for photos. Opt for softer tones like brown, grey, navy or eggplant, which are less harsh and will look great on camera. Focus eyeliner on your upper lids, avoiding going heavy on your lower lids as it can make your eyes look smaller. Opt for matte finish eyeshadows instead of shimmery ones and consider a set of false lashes to elongate and lengthen your eyes.
10. Enhance Your Lips
You don’t want your lips to disappear in photos, so use colour to enhance thinner lips. Nude tones will make your lips look non-existent and in photos and darker or intense opaque colours can make them look really thin. Opt for a sheer lipgloss in a bright colour, such as the NYX Butter Gloss to naturally enhance your puckers.
If you want to look better in photos, we hope these tips bring your makeup skills to the next level!
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