5 Tips to Improve Your Make Up

Having a bad hair day or buying the wrong shade of lipstick can ruin your mood but here are a few ways not to let it ruin your next photography session or special event.  People of all ages do use make up, skin treatments and the good old sun to alter their appearance, sometimes it can help other times it can backfire. Here are a few things to consider before that big event.

1. Who needs to consider their make up, skin treatment or sun exposure? Everyone! If you are going to be at an event that will be photographed, give it some consideration.  Young children may be included in family portraits, bad sunburns and tan lines will be remembered. Botox a week before your head shot can be very problematic. Thick makeup in the heat of July can be miserable.  Guys must manage the beard, stubble, irritation and skin. Give it some thought.  

2. When should you trial new looks? BEFORE the gig.  As a photographer, I will do everything I can to accentuate the positive and create beautiful images.  Really, you are pretty amazing as is. In fact, you do not need much to fine tune what has been given to you. If you experiment, try new trends, new colors or looks, do so before the event and have others give you feed back.  Find a make up artist, try a new product just to see what is out there.  There are many fantastic products on the market. You do not have to break the bank, get samples and ask experts or friends what they like and why.  

3. Why do you need to consider make up? Maybe you would like smoother skin or to accentuate certain features. Maybe you want to look and feel younger, slimmer, younger, energetic or more confident. Why not? Who doesn't like feeling and looking great everyday and in photographs?

4. What should you look for? Most of the time make up is to even out blemishes, reduce the appearance of wrinkles and make our best features a little more defined.  Many also want to reduce the effects of stress, poor diet, health issues and aging. Start with better health then try out some products. Start with the basics. Check the tint on foundation, get a lipstick that is smooth and stays on.  Reduce that skin shine! Too much smoky eye can be an overwhelming look. Think about even, healthy skin tones, lips and cheeks with some color, eyes with some definition.  Stay away from heavy, shiny, glittery make up and extreme trends that might seem like a good idea but may not work out.

5. Who can help?  Ask around and find a make up artist, friend, skin care specialist, dermatologist and the local make up counter. There are plenty of blogs out there. Ask people who have on camera experience for ideas. Some magazines rate the top new products. Try a foundation from the local drug store, combine two different tints if necessary.  Try a second tint for summer skin color.  If you try a makeup artist, make sure they are right for you before you need them. 

Feel and look great!

RobinM