Beauty Tips & InspirationHow to look great in holiday snaps
Hate photos? These four makeup tips and tricks will make you look (and feel) fab
Is your camera roll crammed with unposted photos? Do you kamikaze roll across the floor at the mere mention of a holiday snap? Fear not, millions of us squirm at the thought of a selfie.
First up? DO be in the photo – your loved ones will want pictures of you to treasure, you’ll want pictures to treasure. And secondly – there’s always a trick to make you feel more photogenic.
Whether it’s for wedding videos, TikTok tutorials, Zoom calls, holiday photos, film premieres – or selfies – here’s how to look (and feel) camera-ready, fast.
1. Maxim-eyesMaintaining eye contact helps us build deeper connections, particularly on camera. The pro trick? Make your eyes look bigger with makeup. Here’s how…
Tips & Tricks
- Apply dark brown eyeliner (not black) to the outer thirds of your upper lids
- Don’t waterline lower lids (it’ll make eyes appear smaller on screen)
- Two coats of curling mascara works wonders
- Black mascara best enhances your natural eye shape
- Waterproof formulas hold a curl better than regular ones
- The best makeup artists for film and TV keep brightening eye drops in their kit – the clearer your eyes, the brighter the rest of your makeup looks on camera
2. Lit-from-within skinThe number one secret to photogenic makeup? Strategically placed under eye concealer – it enhances even the best Zoom lighting (see also: holiday's golden hour). Less is more when it comes to on-camera cover up – too much can leave you looking washed out, even with a ring light. If you can, ditch foundation for this two-tier concealer hack.
Tips & Tricks
- Leave two minutes for eye cream to absorb pre-makeup (to avoid piling)
- Layer up two under eye concealers: opaque and reflective
- Use the concealer closest to your current skin tone to colour correct dark circles and the lighter – more reflective one – to brighten
- Dab the opaque concealer onto your ring finger, gently patting from the inner eye outwards
- Apply the reflective concealer to inner corners of the eye, the sides of your nose and under eyes
3. Bold browsThink of eyebrows as coat hangers, holding up your face. Why? Brows boost bone structure – and yet they’re often the first feature to disappear on screen and in photos, especially the tails.
Done correctly, they’ll help create dimension (goodbye flat screen face) making it easier for people to read your emotions.
Tips & Tricks
- Do darken your brows – think bigger and bolder
- Choose a product that’s one shade darker than your natural brow
- Create shape by mapping out your eyebrow with a pencil or pomade
- Define your eyebrow arch for an instant eye lift
- Darken the tail of your brow for an eye-opening effect
- Blend product with a spoolie brush for a natural look
- Wiggle gel through brow hairs to boost thickness and fix hairs in place
4. Loud lipsSometimes you just have to dip your face in makeup and hope for the best – whether it’s a spontaneous ‘shall-we-just-jump-on-a-call’ call – or a quick holiday snap, when your getting-ready slot is 60 seconds, max.In strolls the LOUD lip. Sure, it requires confidence – but wearing a bold lip colour can boost confidence too – it's scientifically proven that when you wear red lipstick, you’re more attractive to people’s gaze, on Instagram or in real life. A surefire way to look ‘pulled together’ (when you’re not), spirit-lifting lipsticks are a must for high-impact snaps.
Tips & Tricks
- True blue-red lipstick makes teeth appear whiter
- Start with a moisturising lip balm to smooth and soothe
- Use the tip of the lipstick bullet to shape and outline your lips
- Fill in the rest for a wash of glossy colour, fast
