Beauty care tips and quick tricks to feel confident during the portrait photoshoot and achieve a fabulous result!
Naturally, many things can be achieved through settings, lighting, editing and retouching the images, but the truly natural and beautiful end result always comes from radiating confidence in your photos. And a big part of that is how you feel in your own skin! Let me help you with some useful beauty care tips, based on advices from one of my favorite female models.
Tips on how to prepare your face for a portrait photoshoot:
Skincare
Schedule any intensive cosmetic treatments, such as eyebrow shaping or (even at-home) chemical peel for your skin, for this time. If your skin reacts strongly to anything, this will give it enough time to recover from any irritation. On the other hand, if you overdo it, the effects will moderate within this timeframe. Both aspects are worth considering, as eyebrows frame your face and contribute to the final image. Similarly, exfoliation is essential as it removes dead skin cells, leaving your skin radiant, firmer, and fresher.
Teeth
If you plan to have your teeth polished or whitened, do it a week earlier to ensure any possible irritations, spots, or minor gum injuries disappear.
Manicure
In some portrait poses or half-body shots, your hands may be visible in the pictures. Therefore, it's a good idea to get your manicure done 4-5 days before the photoshoot when your nail beds have had enough time to regenerate, but the manicure is still intact.
Hydration
If you feel that you're not hydrating your body enough or not drinking enough water, start increasing your daily fluid intake from this point on! If you don't usually use chemical exfoliation, go for a physical, i.e., a gentle skin scrub, 2-3 days before the portrait photoshoot. Then apply a lightweight moisturizing face mask afterward. Pay special attention to your lips: exfoliate them every evening with a specific lip scrub or a mixture of sugar and honey, then apply a good balm thoroughly. Well-hydrated lips are essential for a beautiful portrait photo, as it is hard to retouch chapped lips nicely while keeping the natural look.
Tip:
Avoid drinking detoxifying teas or trying new cosmetics during these days. In both cases, your skin might be prone to purging, resulting in small, pimple-like blemishes as the toxins are eliminated.
Makeup
If you're doing your own makeup, the type of makeup you apply depends on the purpose of the portrait. Thematic photos will naturally require thematic makeup. However, for business portraits, personal websites, and social media profiles, it's best to create a slightly stronger version of your everyday makeup, as the photos tend to "wear off" makeup. Apply the foundation and concealer thinly, as it's harder to correct overly thick foundation through editing than minor blemishes! Make sure the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) doesn't shine, and bring your favorite powder with you to the photoshoot. You can give your cheeks some extra radiance, and if your cheekbone line is not prominent, highlight it with contouring. The photos generally soften facial features, and this makeup trick helps retain character.
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Half-body portraits
If more significant skin surface will be visible in the pictures, for example, if you'll be wearing a sleeveless top, you can achieve the best effect by applying body oil beforehand. Allow 1-2 hours for your skin to absorb it nicely, maintaining a natural glow. You can also use bronzer and highlighter to accentuate your shoulders, collarbone, and décolletage, creating an elegant and dynamic effect in the photos - if you done something like this before. If not, better leave it to a professional make-up artist or just skip this option.
Another tip is to avoid eating foods that can cause bloating on the day of the photoshoot. Even if the effect is not visible from the outside, feeling uncomfortable on the inside will make you tense during the photoshoot. And, of course, that's not the goal – you should feel great in your skin!
Extra: Hair Tips for Portrait Photoshoots
- If your portrait is not thematic, it's best to wear your hair similarly to your everyday style or however you feel most comfortable. Don't try a new color or style now, as if you don't like the result, it might not look good in the photos either. The most important thing is to be true to yourself!
I compiled the current hair trends in THIS article in case you need some inspiration.
- Wash your hair the night before, use hair conditioner, and style your hair in the morning so that it remains fresh and voluminous but not excessively flyaway.
- Have a comb or hairbrush with you during the photoshoot to readjust your hair if needed. You can use minimal hair spray, but heavily fixed hair that looks great in real life can appear stiff in photos.
So to summarize how to prepare your face for your portrait photoshoot: Start your skincare routine a week in advance and avoid any intensive treatments too close to the photoshoot. For a radiant look, remember to stay hydrated and give your lips extra care. On the day of the shoot, apply makeup that enhances your features without being too heavy. Also, ensure your hair looks natural and similar to your everyday style. By following these tips, you'll feel confident and achieve stunning portrait results!
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