Your Pre-Shoot Makeup Guide

Before walking into your photoshoot, keep in mind that your makeup choice can either make or brake the outcome of the session. Some products, if used or applied incorrectly, could ruin your shots. So using the right makeup products is essential to getting to the right look.

Before anything, we always like to remind our clients that, more often than not, less is more. Keep your makeup classy and understated. Any makeup you choose to apply needs to have a purpose.

Best for photography

A good starting point to any makeup prep for your photoshoot is to have a hydrated skin to ensure a clean make up job.

Here is a list of some of the makeup products that work best for studio photography:

• Primer

Using a high quality primer is essential to get a smooth canvas for the rest of your makeup. It will help to blur imperfections and ensure your makeup lasts longer.

• Foundation

When applying foundation for your photoshoot, it is quite different from event makeup. You need to ensure the foundation is perfectly matched to your skin, as it could negatively affect your pictures. Don’t worry about covering any blemishes, we can edit them out if they are overly noticeable.

If you want to use foundation, make sure to use something matte and that offer light to medium coverage. This will minimize shine and even out skin tone under the studio lights.

• Concealer

When applied correctly, concealer will help to lighten up shadows under your eyes which tend to be brought out by studio lights. The best type to use for your photoshoot makeup is the creamy, full coverage type, as they provide a flawless finish. 

• Setting powder

The only kind you want to be going for is transluscent setting powder. It prevents shine and keeps the makeup in place during the photoshoot. It’s important to avoid powders with heavy flashbacks or that cause a white castl; these usually contain ingredients like silica.

• Contour and highlights

Nothing wrong with using a little contour and highlights to enhance features, however too much contour can age clients under the studio lights, while highlights can appear greasy.  

• Eyebrow products

Eyebrows help frame your face so it’s important to have good ones. Whether you prefer to go for a pencil, gel or even powder is up to you, but pay extra attention to not overdoing it, as once they’re done, they’re hard to reduce.

• Eye shadow

Just like the foundation tip, we recommend going for something fairly neutral, and definitely matte, so as not to overpower the eye.

• Lashes

Nothing wrong with enhancing a look with a good pair of lashes, just be mindful that they look natural.

• Blush

Once again, keep it subtle with the blush and opt for something matte that give your cheeks a flush of color. You (should) know your skin tone best and what color complements it well, so aim for something that still looks natural. 

• Lips

For your lipstick, whether you prefer to opt for a glossy or matte finish is entirely up to you, though we’d probably go for a glossier look. Most importantly, make sure your lips aren’t dry/chapped before applying your lipstick, as the camera will be unforgiving.

Worse for photography

• SPF Products

We understand SPF products are key for sun protection, especially in this part of the world, but they are not camera friendly. SPF products have reflective particles which cause white casts in photograph, so double check all your beauty products are SPF-free.

• Shimmer/Glitter

These products have a tendency to reflect lights in unexpected ways, which can cause unwanted distractions in your pictures. Unless it’s planned in your storyboard, leave the glitter behind.

• Sheer Foundations

These aren’t covering enough for studio lights, so make sure to go with medium to high coverage foundations instead, for a flawless finish.

• Powder with flashbacks

As some powders contain silica, they sometime cause white cast in pictures, especially when the flash is used. Check the ingredients carefully before using ahead of your photoshoot.