Fashion

This Will Make Your Makeup Look Amazing In Photos

by Miki Hayes

Regardless of the occasion, sometimes we just want our makeup to look bomb AF in a picture. But how exactly should your makeup be done differently than any other day so that it stands out? Turns out there are some pretty weird hacks that make makeup look amazing in photos. And I'm not just talking about the obvious extras that you might skip on an everyday basis like wearing a smoothing primer. Because there are some tricks you may not know about unless you're a professional makeup artist. Which is why I corresponded with one via email to find out some of these more obscure hacks.

Beauty expert and celebrity makeup artist, Jenny Patinkin, let me in on some tips I never would have thought to use so that you and your makeup better pop on film. Of course, there are other not-so-weird steps to take when doing your makeup as well. Even though I kind of glossed over the whole primer thing, it's actually still quite an important step in achieving camera-ready makeup. And there are others as well. Here are 10 weird and normal, yet necessary hacks that will help your makeup look top-notch in any photograph.

1. Vaseline Makes Eyes Look Bigger

Vaseline Original Petroleum Jelly, $3.67, target.com

"Eyeshadow needs a little extra oomph to get noticed in a photo," says Patinkin. But that doesn't mean you have to go all out and do a smoky eye if that's not your thing. Instead, Patinkin suggests dabbing some clear lip balm or Vaseline in the center of your lid. This will attract light to your eyes, making them look bigger and brighter.

2. Go Matte

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder, $3.99, target.com

As pretty as an all-over glow looks IRL, in photos, products with too much shimmer and sparkle can come off more oily-looking and cause colors to lose their vibrancy. So your face isn't a floating ball of light, try to stick to mattes wherever you can.

3. Ensure You're Color-Matched

Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Foundation, $43, makeupforever.com

Lighting changes everything. Foundation and concealer that look perfect inside may actually be all wrong once you venture outside into natural lighting. Test these face products in various lighting to make sure there will be no surprises once the camera comes into play. Also make sure everything is thoroughly blended with no harsh lines so that even if you don't have a perfect match, the camera won't pick it up.

4. Smudgy Eyeshadow Also Makes Eyes Look Bigger

MAC Eyeshadow in Charcoal Brown, $16, maccosmetics.com

Another way to make your eyes look bigger, is to play with shadow instead (or on top) of light. Patinkin says one trick she uses is to apply a smudgy line of taupe eyeshadow under the lower lash line before going in with eyeliner. "[This] creates the illusion that your waterline is lower on your face, which makes your eyes look taller."

5. Go A Little Heavier On Cheek Products

NARS Dual Intensity Blush in Fervor, $45, narscosmetics.com

The camera tends to wash out color, and color is needed for dimension. So your face doesn't look flat on film, use a slightly heavier hand or a slightly brighter color than you might normally for blush and bronzer so that it still shows up in pictures.

6. Vaseline Also Makes Lipstick Look Brighter

NYX Full Throttle Lipstick in Lethal Kiss, $7, nyxcosmetics.com

Another way to use Vaseline for photo-ready makeup is an old Hollywood trick— rub some on your teeth. Not only will it help your lips glide over your teeth instead of sticking to them when you smile, says Patinkin, but it will also help make your lipstick and your smile look brighter.

7. Fill In Your Eyebrows

Benefit Brow Zings Eyebrow Shaping Kit, $32, benefitcosmetics.com

If you don't normally fill in your brows, or do so lightly by combing through with a gel, you may want to go a little more intense for photos. Brows frame and draw attention to the face, so give them a little boost before a picture by filling them in with a pencil or powder one shade lighter than they are. This will help them stand out without appearing too dark or heavy.

8. Try Contouring

Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow, $68, charlottetilbury.com

As previously mentioned, the camera tends to wash out color and dimension, making you appear flat in photos. Add some of that dimension back by contouring your cheekbones, nose, forehead, jawline, or anywhere you want some extra definition.

9. Amp Up Your Lashes

House of Lashes Bambie, $9, houseoflashes.com

Lashes can get lost in a photo, and Patinkin explains that extra darkness and length, especially in the center of your eyes, will make your eyes look bigger and brighter. While false lashes are a quick fix for bolder and more voluminous lashes, Patinkin also suggests sweeping the tip of your mascara wand back and forth over the lashes directly above and below your iris. This, she says, will help spike your lashes and achieve the aforementioned illusion of having bigger eyes.

10. Prime & Set Everything

Smashbox Try It Kit Primer Authority, $28, smashbox.com

And because it really is that important, don't forget to prime or set your makeup. Primer will help your makeup go on more smoothly and last longer, while a setting spray can help give the finish you desire while also ensuring a longer wear-time. Both of which are necessary for your makeup to look totally amazing in any photo.

Images: olly/Fotolia; Courtesy of Brands