How to Apply Makeup for photos - guest blog

Wearing makeup for a photo session can enhance your features and give you a flawless look. I asked one of my very talented professional makeup artists Mary to help you achieve a great makeup look for any of your next photo session:

1. Start with a clean, moisturized face: Before applying any makeup, make sure you use an emollient moisturizer all over your face and neck. Give it a few minutes to really sink in and then you can begin applying your makeup. This will help to ensure your makeup goes on smoothly and evenly. Two of my favorites are: Clinique Dramatically Different moisturizer and Embryolisse Lait- Crème Concentre.

2. Primer*: Most of the time, a good moisturizer is all you need and you can skip the primer. The only caveat is if you have *very* oily skin. In that case, use a mattifying primer such as StudioFix Mattifine Primer by MAC after your moisturizer. Wait a few minutes before applying your makeup.

3. Foundation: It's important to choose a foundation that matches your skin tone. To best figure this out, match the color to your neck and chest - not to your face. Apply a small amount of foundation all over your face into your neck, and blend it well using a damp beauty blender or a dense flat foundation brush. MAC StudioFix foundation is a great option for photoshoot makeup.

4. Concealer: Use a liquid concealer to cover up any blemishes or dark circles under your eyes. Use a shade 1-2 shades lighter under your eyes and 1 shade lighter elsewhere. A small amount goes a long way with concealer so you usually just need a few dots under the eyes and blend well up towards the temple. This helps to lift the eye. I like Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser or Kosas Revealer Concealer.

5. Add some color to your cheeks and lips: Apply a neutral rose blush on the apple of your cheeks up towards the temple. This gives a nice natural vibrant look. A great option is NARS Orgasm Powder Blush. For lips, I tend to use a neutral nude or rose such as Charlotte Tilbury’s PillowTalk, however most neutral colors will work. Try to avoid very glossy or shimmery options.

6. AVOID too much highlighter/shimmer: It is best to avoid using any shimmery eyeshadows or face highlighter for photoshoots. While applied sparingly and correctly under specific lighting, they can look nice, but for a foolproof option, it’s best to use more matte eyeshadows and blushes/bronzers, as highlighted skin can blow out in photos and will be very hard to balance out with the rest of the face. Professional photographers shade and light faces using carefully crafted lighting, so it’s best to use these products sparingly.

Remember to blend your makeup well and use natural lighting to ensure your makeup looks flawless in your photo session!

*Branding images are for Britt Design, boutigue interior design studio based in Bergen County, NJ.

*Mary Wright is a professional makeup artist based in Bergen County, NJ. Mary specializes in weddings, prom and events, and of course, photo sessions.

Website: https://mdwmakeup.com