Hair and Makeup, What's Up With That?

I want to preface this article by saying that makeup can be a very personal thing so if you would like to incorporate one of the things that I say to avoid below, contact me and we can talk about it.

The Golden Rule: Keep It Simple

Natural Makeup Is Your Friend

First off, I only recommend wearing makeup for your headshots if you usually wear it in everyday life. Let’s run through some things to consider when doing your own makeup. The main thing I want you to focus on when doing your own makeup is to keep it simple! We want your headshot to be an accurate representation of you! I understand you may want to use a lot of makeup in order to look better for your photo shoot but that is what Photoshop is for.

Why Natural Works Best

Dramatic makeup with lots of colors also very easily date your headshot. We want these photos to be something you are using for a little bit of time but you don’t want to be stuck with a shot with makeup that isn’t going to be in “style” in another year.

Natural makeup is always a safe bet. I interviewed headshot photographer Mathieu Deslandes on this subject and he said, “While thinking of a natural look with makeup, don’t forget this pertains to eyelashes as well. Although false eyelashes are ‘in’ these days, in a closeup photograph of your face they look unnatural and will date your headshot as soon as they go out of style.”

Post-Processing vs. Pre-Production

What Photoshop Can Handle

Like I said before, if your main goal when doing your makeup is to cover up some acne and blemishes, don’t worry about it! That stuff is super easy to fix in the retouching process.

Things to Avoid

Makeup Don’ts for Headshots

There are some specific things I would like for you to avoid when doing your own makeup:

• Off skin tone colors
• Penciled in eyebrows/eyebrow manipulation (especially when there is a harsh ending line)
• Heavy amounts of blush
• Heavy eyeliner that creates a harsh line
• Using a powdered foundation (usually visible in sharp digital images)
• Unnatural color for lipstick - A little gloss works well on camera

Use something that will even out any uneven tones and hydrate them.

Professional Guidance

When to Seek Help

If you are looking to try something different than the “natural” makeup I have described above, bring it all in. I would rather we started out on the natural side of things so we make sure to get that covered and then we can add more makeup as we go if need be. While we shoot we will be reviewing the photos as we shoot, this is a perfect time to review the makeup and see if we would like to adjust anything. If you usually wear your makeup in a way that doesn’t align with what I have outlined, that is not a problem at all! Give me a call and we can discuss things further.

Hair: Another Crucial Element

Hair Preparation Tips

Hair: Hair is another extremely personal thing and it is very important to the overall look of the photo. I ask my clients to come in “hair ready” as they would on a good hair day. I would say you should show up to the studio as you would for an important meeting/interview. If you ever wear a ponytail and your hair is long enough we may want to try it out. Make sure to bring something to tie it up with (if you forget I have a few in the studio).

Communication Is Key

During your headshot session, speak your mind, let the photographer know if there is something you don’t like about your makeup. You need to feel confident in the photos in order to get good use out of them.

The Complete Picture

Makeup and Hair Working Together

Remember that your makeup and hair work together to create your overall professional image. The goal is to enhance your natural features, not transform you into someone else. Your headshots should look like you on your best day - polished, professional, and authentically you.

Session Flexibility

The beauty of working with a professional photographer is the ability to make adjustments during the session. We can:

• Review photos as we shoot
• Adjust makeup between shots
• Try different hair styles
• Make real-time improvements

Building Confidence

The most important aspect of your hair and makeup is how it makes you feel. When you’re comfortable and confident, it shows in your photos. That confidence translates into headshots that truly represent the professional you want to be.

Related Preparation Tips

Complete your session preparation by reading our guides on what to wear to your headshot session and how to prepare for your headshot session.

Looking for more professional advice? Learn why you should go to a specialist for your headshots.