We are sharing makeup tips for your photo session from STL Glam Co. to help you get yourself photo ready for your next family session, maternity session, or any session! We all tend to focus so much on finding the perfect outfit for our session, that we often forget about our face! For my family’s last two sessions with our family photographer, I completely forgot to even book hair and makeup for myself. I had to just wing it, and trust me I am no makeup expert. So here are a five tips to help you if you’re like me and completely ran out of time for the pros to work their magic. Or if you simply prefer to do your own makeup for your session, this will help!
STL Glam Co is one of the top hair and makeup companies around the St. Louis area. I often send my clients to them for professional hair and makeup because I love the looks they do for my clients. So who better to ask to be a guest on our blog than the owner, Bailey Meyers. Here are her top five makeup tips for your photo session.
Tip #1 Skincare
We tell all of our clients leading up to their photo session, skin care and skin prep are huge. We recommend using dermalogical Stress Positive Eye lift. It is great for puffiness and dark circles and is a great addition to your daily skin care routine. Another great product is First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Hydrating Serum. This is a great product for a.m. and p.m. use and will get your skin in the condition necessary to be photo perfect. In addition to these great products we also recommend Philosophy Micro Delivery Exfoliating Face Wash, Becca Cosmetics Skin Love Glow Elixir, any type of lip exfoliator & a good moisturizer. Skin care is huge for not just the time leading up to having professional photos taken, but it’s important for your every day health and your skin care routine.
Tip#2 Makeup Must Haves
As a make up artist, I believe that every make up product is necessary for a full glam make up look. However, there are certain products that most people have in their make up kit that can make or break a great makeup look for a professional photo session.
First are the two B’s: Blush & Brows.
Blush
I cannot emphasize enough of how important it is to wear blush for a professional photo session. Blush adds a pop of pigment in your cheeks which creates contrast to prevent your skin from looking washed out. Adding that pop of color is going to give you this soft rose and beautiful glowing look. I recommend it for every single make up application. My favorite blush of all time is most definitely the MAC Mineralize Blush in Petal Power. I get more compliments on this than any other product. I also really love Too Faced Love Flush in Baby Love. So matte and beautiful!
Next, brows.
We know that not everybody is comfortable having their brows filled in, shaped, or having their brows with any make up whatsoever. However, I promise you it is a game changer as far as your make up look goes. Even if you are not comfortable with filling them in with a powder, pencil, or pomade, I always recommend getting a clear brow gel to put over your natural brow. Doing this is going to define the shape of your eyebrows, add a little bit of darkness – due to the moisture in the product, and add texture to the brow. My favorite brow products are NYX Control Freak Eyebrow Gel, in clear. I also love Anastasia Brow Powder Duos in soft brown & taupe, Anastasia Brow Gel (color preference is up to you) and Anastasia Brow Wiz. These are all amazing products that can most definitely give you a gorgeous flawless brow.
Don’t forget, lips.
Always have some pigment on your lips. Whether that’s a stain, gloss, tinted lip balm or lipstick it’s crucial to put some life in those lips ladies! By making sure you wear a lip color during a shoot you are giving pigment, texture and definition to your lips. This gives them a great shape and color. Also, anytime you wear a lip color it gives the appearance that your teeth are at least 1-2 shades whiter. Always a plus for photos! I love NYX lip stick in Thalia, Too Faced Melted Matte in Queen B, MAC lipstick in Creme In Your Coffee & Kylie Matte Liquid Lipstick in Posie K, Candy K & Koko K.
Tip #3 Foundation
Foundation is called foundation for a reason. It is the perfect base for a beautiful make up application. Whether you wear powder, airbrush, liquid, or a BB/CC cream we always recommend wearing something on your skin. But most importantly, make sure your foundation matches your skin tone. If you go to Ulta or Sephora they will color match you and help you find the perfect foundation for your skin. Don’t be afraid to go heavier on your shoot day. You want great coverage and flawless skin. If you’d like more of a matte look, finish your look with a matte powder. One tip we emphasize most is to make sure you blend your foundation under your chin and around your neck. We never want you ladies to feel like they have a mask on. Blend, blend, blend!
Tip #4 Mascara Mistakes
It is a common misconception that mascara needs to be layered multiple times to give you a darker fuller look. When you layer mascara too many times it creates a chunky thick overdone eye. Your lashes will begin to stick together and make it look like you have less lashes instead of more! Getting a good mascara and applying 1 to 2 coats is going to look the absolute best and give you a nice full lengthened look. If you’re looking for a high end Mascara I recommend Chanel Inimitable Mascara or Benefit Cosmetics They’re Real Mascara. If you’re wanting an affordable mascara I absolutely love Maybelline Volum’ Express The Colossal or L’Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara. These have been my favorites and I will stand by them. However , I have recently found a hidden gem that has been added to my kit and the price will shock you. Essence Lash Princess Mascara from Ulta Beauty for $4.99. It’s WONDERFUL.
Tip #5 Health Prep
Preparing yourself and others for a shoot is something that is very stressful and we tend to put ourselves on the back burner sometimes. However, we tell all of our clients how important it is for them to get proper sleep before a shoot and to stay hydrated leading up to your shoot day. Rest goes a long way in regards to your skin. The more you get, the better you’ll feel! Relaxation is so important for us to indulge when we can. Treat yourself the night before your shoot and buy a face mask to put on, have an ice cold glass of water, and let yourself unwind before you go to bed. You will wake up rejuvenated and your face will thank you!
These are five of my favorite makeup tips for your photo session. If you feel uncomfortable doing your own make up or would like a more professional look done you can contact us at stlglamco@gmail.com. We would love to send one of our talented hairstylist and make up artist to you the morning of your session (or wedding) to give you a full glam session to get you photo ready! Thank you for reading and we hope our tips help you achieve the look you desire for your upcoming session! Visit our site to view our work at www.stlglamco.weebly.com
Wanna see how professional makeup can change the look of your session? Take a look back at a few sessions where professional makeup was done- Victoria Beach Session, A downtown Family Session, and a Portrait Shoot.
Dresses by: Pink Blush Maternity
Makeup by : STL Glam Co.
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A rating of 5 is not high enough for Kelly!! Kelly is an amazing photographer, was absolutely wonderful to work with, and was quick to reply to emails. Shes an upbeat and positive person, which made out photo sessions comfortable and fun!! Kelly is professional in more ways than one and I highly recommend her to anyone in the St. Louis area wanting some maternity and/or family photos taken!
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This is a great post! Clients often have no idea how important these things are for a session.