Your complete guide to creating a flawless make up look for your photoshoot, with Rosie from Rosie’s Beauty.
So you’ve booked your family photoshoot - YAY! Now, it is time to prepare.
You’ve probably been so busy planning the whole family’s wardrobe and getting everyone else ready for your photoshoot that you haven’t had the chance to even think about or book a make up artist for yourself.
Booking to have your make up professionally applied ahead of your photoshoot is a great way to prepare for your photoshoot as well is treat yourself to some much deserved pampering. Although, time and budget constraints mean this isn’t always possible.
Never fear, I have teamed up with my most trusted make up and beauty expert, Rosie from Rosie’s Beauty in Carlingford to help you create your own flawless make up look for your upcoming photoshoot.
If you follow me on Instagram, you’ve probably heard me sing Rosie’s praises. She has been my go to for all things beauty, skin care and make up for the last eight years. There is no one else I would let near my eyebrows. She has expertly tamed my wild eyebrows and taught me so much about skin care and make up application.
Below you’ll find some useful tips, from Rosie, to help you perfectly apply your own make up ahead of a photoshoot.
The perfect and flawless make up starts with a beautiful base. How can we best prepare our skin for make up? Is there anything we can do in the lead up to a shoot or event to help?
Skincare
If you don’t currently have a skincare regime, the ultimate starter to prepare your skin is to find a cleanser designed for your skin type. Skincare products can become overwhelming, don’t prescribe your own skincare or even base it on other friends recommendations, I have been using Dermalogica skincare for over 30 years. I highly recommend a complimentary skincare consult to get you started if your not currently using any products.
Five easy steps to follow in preparation if you currently have a skincare regime:
Remove makeup with a cleansing oil or balm.
If you are currently a makeup wearer, using a cleansing oil/balm depending on your skin type to remove all makeup before cleansing is ideal. This allows your prescribed cleanser to work effectively.Cleanse your skin
Using circular motions gently massage your cleanser avoiding eye area to remove all impurities, dirt and oil.Use an exfoliant
Exfoliate 1 - 2 times per week to remove any dead skin cells that may be blocking your pores. Exfoliation will alleviate dry patches that can lead to an uneven complexion or blotchiness.Be Warned: If you have sensitive skin, certain exfoliating formulas may be a bit harsh for you.
Toner
Toner is an often overlooked step, it helps calm and protect the skin while helping to prepare it for the most crucial step moisturising.
Moisturiser
Avoid using any hydrating oils before applying your makeup, as you need your makeup to last and not slide off especially on hot days. A light application of moisturizer is ideal especially with SPF for outdoor photoshoots.Eye Cream
Equally as important as your toner and moisturiser to hydrate around the eye area day and night. There are certainly lots of eye creams on the market that target and deliver results. If you experience dark circles, my recommendation is to use Vitamin C to brighten this area. If your eye area is dry then a hydrating eye cream would be ideal.
For the style of my photos, I love a fresh, glowy and flawless look - what sort of products and techniques can we use to achieve this look?
Primer
Before we begin our makeup application, its important we apply primer. Primer helps to create a smooth landing for your base and will help extend the longevity of your foundation, blush, bronzer and other face products.
There are different primers that work on counteracting redness, brightening skin and minimizing open pores. Take a small amount of primer and apply this to the centre of the face working outwards, followed by your choice of base.
Below are a list of bases you can work with:
Tinted Moisturiser - Minimal wear/coverage
BBB Cream - Tinted moisturiser with a touch of coverage
Foundation- More coverage and great for those wanting a flawless look
What to go for? BBB Cream or Foundation?
BBB Creams are your lightest weight base, if you are a non makeup wearer and feel foundation is
just a bit more than you like than certainly use a tinted moisturiser or BBB cream. This is a great option for In Home Newborn Sessions and In Hospital Sessions.
If you’re looking for more coverage, then a foundation is for you.
Achieving fresh glowy flawless look can be achieved using the right shade of foundation! To find the perfect shade, test the foundation on your jawline and make sure you match your décolletage. The décolletage is below your neck and across your cleavage.
Foundation should be applied with a brush, working in sections of the face and avoiding the eye area.
What’s Next?
Concealer
Apply a lightweight concealer under the eyes, the lid of the eye area and any areas with blemishes. Lightly blend out using a blending fluffy brush.
Powder
Set your makeup in place by applying powder to the forehead, nose, cheeks and chin to set makeup and absorb excess oil for long lasting shine control.
Contour
Gently contour your features by applying contour tones(generally brown tones)along the cheekbone.
Pro Tip: Your guide for contouring is working from the earline towards the corner of the lip, around the forehead and under the side of the jawline.
Blusher
Blend a soft coral toned blusher into the apples of the cheeks, extending up above the cheekbone towards the hairline.
Highlighter
Don’t over do the highlighter as this can create a shiny effect, which may not be the effect your after for a photoshoot.
Eyeshadow
Keep your eyeshadow looking natural, sticking to one colour for your eye make up. Keep your smokey eye look for your girls night out!
Mascara
Before applying mascara use your lash curler to curl your lashes. A lash curler makes a huge difference to the lashes, as it lifts and curls the lashes back which opens up the eyes.
Follow on by applying two coats of mascara to the lashes, don’t double dip the mascara as it clumps the lashes together!
If you decide to add false lashes or lash extensions be mindful that the length and thickness can create unflattering shadows can make your eyes appear. Keep them as natural as possible and opt for individual lashes, rather than heavy strip lashes.
What are some looks / colours to avoid when doing your make up for a photoshoot?
Blending is key to a great look in photographs. You know those small foam eyeshadow applicators that come in your eyeshadow palettes? Throw them out! Use a brush to apply your eyeshadow, use natural tones all over the lid of the eye. Smokey dark eyeshadow is best left for nights out at the club!
If you are going to use a bold bright lipstick, keep the eyes simple.
If you’re going to fake tan, keep it light and natural and don’t apply fake tan to your face, use a bronzer to add colour and match your foundation to your décolletage
Avoid makeup with a shimmer, anything with a shimmer will reflect light back towards the camera.
Speaking of eyes - I have heard you talk about complimentary colours before - can you tell me a little more about what colours work with what complexions and eye colours?
Brown eyes can use any colour, but for a photoshoot use tones such as soft pinks, burgundy and natural browns. These tones will compliment the eyes.
Blue eyes can use warm tones of golden brown, peach and champagne to balance the eyes. Complimentary colours are your natural browns, warm earthy tones of orange will make your eyes pop.
Green eyes can use plums, pink and dark burgundy to beautifully bring out the eye colour.
Are there any pointers you could give us for how to best apply eye make up for a photoshoot?
Keep it Simple!
Start with dividing the eyelid in half (lash line, to the socket, and up to the brow line)- using a brush apply contour colour (generally brown tone) onto the socket area, working from the outside in. Then add a peachy coloured shade under the socket, to the lash line.
Complete the look with two coats of mascara to the upper lashes and one coat to the bottom lashes and remember not to double dip your mascara as it creates clumping of the lashes.
How long before a photoshoot should we do our eyebrow waxing / facials etc?
Where possible, I highly recommend 12 weeks prior to get your eyebrows back into shape and get your skin photo ready.
Every time I have an important occasion coming up, I always end up with a giant pimple. Can you share some pointers on how to help settle a pimple and cover it with make up?
DON’T TOUCH IT. Don’t squeeze pop or pick at it.
Warm Compress
Prepare hot bowl place a wet washcloth into the bowl, squeeze excess water then hold over the area for a few minutes. Keep dipping the cloth over the area until the pus comes to the surface.
Another option is topical cream - benzoyl peroxide.
Do you have any other wisdom or advice you could share with us?
Virtually nothing is impossible in this world if you just put your mind to it and maintain a positive attitude.
Life is abundant and life is beautiful. Keep your head high, your chin up and most importantly
keep smiling, because life’s a beautiful thing and there’s so much to smile about. Rosie x
Rosie, thank you so much for sharing your expert knowledge with us.
Rosie’s Beauty is located in Carlingford, New South Wales. You can find Rosie at www.rosiesbeauty.com.au and www.instagram.com/rosiesbeauty
