Ever been tagged in a photo you wish never existed?
So you’ve spent hours getting ready for a night out, spent hours on your hair and makeup, until you’ve metamorphosed into a goddess on Earth. You’re out dancing, and after a couple of glasses of wine you find yourself posing and smiling in selfies with your squad. But the next day it’s like you’re in a living nightmare – you find out you’ve been tagged in a very unattractive snap.
Looking picture perfect depends on many things: angles, lighting, and even ingredients in your make-up. It may seem too much to think about when you’re just trying to get a decent photo for Instagram, but I’ve done your homework for you. Follow these tips to look your best in pictures!
Mind the lighting.
Good lighting is key when it comes to taking a clear and pretty picture. That doesn’t mean, however, that a spotlight on your face is instantly going to turn you into a supermodel but proper lighting can make all the difference. Face a lamp or a window directly rather than sideways if you can, as that way the face looks more glowing. If you want the dramatic look however, play with the shadows.
From goddess to ghost; the flashback problem.
You may look like a bronzed goddess in natural lighting but you can still turn into a ghost if a photo is taken with flash. A common myth is that you’re wearing the wrong shade of foundation, but a myth is all it is. It’s actually the SPF in your foundation, concealer or powder that’s causing the ghastly look. SPF is your skin’s saving grace during daytime, but you should wear a foundation without SPF if you’re going out at night. So ideally, use a separate foundation for day time and night time.
Angles!
Shake it off!
Not everyone is blessed with voluminous, glorious hair. For those of us that have normal to sparse hair, the easiest way to transform your hair is to flip and shake. Basically, what you need to do is literally head bang like you just can’t help it. Flip your hair upside down, and give your hair a quick ruffle at the roots through with your fingers. This method should give you an instant boost plenty of time for a quick photo op.
Touch up with translucent powder.
We usually use translucent powder as a finishing powder to mattify the face and complete our make-up. While most drug store brands offer a range of coloured powders to suit your skin tone, translucent powder is the one you really need. A translucent powder gives off the same effect regardless if you’re tan or pale, and it’s a smart way to save your coin. However, be careful not to overdo your application because white or translucent powders tend to be picked up more by flash photography. Only use the smallest amount of powder that you can to avoid looking like a shiny hot mess in pictures, and make sure you’re using a fluffy, soft brush.
Pop on some highlighter at the right places.
Pop some of that on the tip of your nose and the area just below the outer corner of your eye, on the cheekbone. And don’t forget to give it a spritz of your setting spray to help it blend into your makeup. Don’t overdo it though or you’ll end up getting a ghost face again.
Emphasize your eyes.
Draw a thin line as close to the upper lash line as possible with your eyeliner and do a small cat eye flick at the outer corners. It should only take seconds, and the cat eye flick should give off the illusion of larger eyes.
Lip liner should be a staple in everyone’s makeup kit because of its versatility. It can be used as the main lipstick to create a matte effect, or something to accentuate your outer lip line with for bigger lips and a fuller pout. Always carry with you a lip liner that’s the shade of your lips, or close. This way, you can use it regardless of the lipstick colour you’ll be applying on top of it and no one will be able to tell you’ve obviously overdrawn over the lines.
If you’ve given these tips a try, tell me about it in the comments below!
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