We all hate how we look in photos, right? We throw away 9 out of 10 pictures that we are in. Why? You don’t have to be a model to look great in photos. There are definitely tricks that can improve how you look in photos… and in life.
Makeup
DO wear make up for photos. Some ladies look great naturally, but for the majority of us, a little cover up goes a long way. Makeup helps to accentuate your assets and hid your flaws. And unless it’s a close-up or you are wearing way too much makeup, your face will look “natural” in the photo. General Tips on makeup:
1. Off camera, a good skin treatment is better than a ton of makeup. So don’t overload your makeup. Natural beautiful skin looks better than caulky foundation. And a good skin treatment is not only better for your skin, it helps keep you looking young too. Try using a light foundation, like a tinted pressed powder, and not liquid foundation which is heavier.
2. Contrary to popular belief, the older you get the less makeup you should wear. Older women actually look better with less makeup or more natural looking makeup. For example, where dark thick eyeliner, “raccoon eyes,” can give a dramatic look to young ladies, the same technique can give older ladies a very tired, too much makeup, old lady look.
3. Different brands of makeup can be better for different ethnicities. For African American skin, Dior and Sisley seems to work best. For Asian skin, Lancome and Clinque seems to be the favorites. I meet one Ex New York Makeup Artist who swears by Channel. So do some experimenting, walk around to different makeup counters, try things on and “shop around” before you buy.
4. Department store brands are definitely higher quality than convenient store brands (Target, Walgreens, etc.). But they are more expensive too. Just one tip, always try on the makeup before you buy! Department stores will let you do that; convenient stores will not.
Hair
Do your hair if you know you will be photographed. Or at least, let your hair down for the photo. Again, looking naturally beautiful rarely comes “naturally.” Unless people know you well, they will not know if you styled your hair, or it’s just naturally curly, naturally beautiful.
Never wear bed-hair (i.e. do nothing with your hair) for a photo because you will look just that, messy. And for hair styles, you don’t necessarily need a really expensive hair cut; you just need to be aware of how hair can frame your face. A few tips on hair:
1. Different styles work better on different faces. Shorter hair styles will bring more emphases to the face and make them look bigger. This is good for longer skinny faces. For round faces, fuller/curly hair usually makes the face look smaller. But not everyone is the same, so you will need to experiment a bit. But that’s the fun part!
2. Don’t fight your hair. When it comes to hair, ladies, we all want what we don’t have. I myself have struggled with my cowlick for years. So my tip is: learn how to work with your hair and you’ll learn how to love it.
3. Lastly, find a hair style that expresses who you are. Hair styles do have meaning and can convey a “look,” whether that’s casual, sophisticated, sporty, professional, elegant, young, old, fun or crazy. Some examples below. But again, do experiment and feel free to change your look as often as you like.
Clothes
Clothes can do wonders for you if you know what to wear and how to wear it. Clothes, and thus style, can definitely define a person’s image. But that discussion is outside of the realms of this article. One tip that I will share is that if you have a few extra pounds, don’t wear tight fitting clothes. Contrary to belief, wearing a smaller size does not make you look smaller. Try to find clothes that are loose and elegant. For example, a silk dress shirt un-tucked is both elegant and flowing, leaving the viewer to imaging your curves underneath. Dresses and shirts that gather just below the breast and remain loose around the waist – these not only hide our dreaded “pot belly” but they are the current style!
Flaunt your assets! Ladies, remember that men are visual. A little show of skin goes a long way. You do not want to look skanky , in fact that will make you look cheap and desperate. But just a little bit of cleavage, or some bare shoulders or a skirt above the knees or a nice slit on the side of a long dress… all gives a little window to the woman’s body, a little tease that leave the men guessing, imagining and wanting to see more of you.
But flaunting your assets is about more than just getting attention from men. It shows a more relaxed and less uptight woman, a confident woman, a woman that likes her body and is proud of it – a woman who is beautiful and she knows it. And confidence is sexy; people will see it in everything about you, including your eyes and your smile.
Pose for the camera
Okay, you’ve prepared your makeup, hair and clothes. You look great! But you still don’t look good in photos. Why? Few people understand that to look good in photos you do need to pose for the camera. But don’t worry, it’s not hard.
1. Try different looks in the mirror. Yes, it is good to practice in the mirror. Try different sides and different angles of your face. Except for the DMV photo, there’s no rule that says you have to be “square face” with the camera. Try different smiles and different “moods.” Only through experimenting can you find your best angle and your best look.
2. Position yourself. Not only your face but your body has “a good angle” too. For example, if you’re wearing a short sleeve or sleeveless shirt, hold your arms out (not against your side). Leaving your arm against your side flattens your arms and they will appear more fat in the photo. Suck in your stomach, of course. Cross your legs for more elegance. Stand up straight; don’t slouch. Turning to your side or at 45 degrees to the camera will show off your curves, etc.
3. And the #1 tip for women to look great in photos: flirt with the camera! That’s all. It does not look cheesy in photos. A little flirtation in a photo gives a woman that fun/playful/cute look that men like and brings out the spark in a woman’s eyes that make her shine in a photo. And with this comes a confidence that is reflected in a woman’s smile, her eyes, and her body pose. People will look at your photo and can’t help but smile back at you!
Lastly: practice, practice, practice. Like everything else in life, practice makes perfect. Before long, you will see a difference in your photos, and in you. And the best part: your beauty was inside you all along!
Happy Shooting!
Dao Nguyen
HowAboutADate.com
D a t i n g S i m p l i f i e d
.jpg)
