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How To: Take Good Close-Up Makeup Pictures

Phyllis — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 02:03:08 +0000

A lot of you have asked me how I can get my FOTDs to show up so clear so here are some tips I picked up from years of being a camera whore.

What I Use: Sony Cybershot DSC-T70. I have been using this for the past 2 years.

* Get the right lighting. Daylight is definitely the best for taking pictures. However, if you can only take pictures at night just like me, make sure the background is well-lit with a halogen lamp. Not only will this help bring out more details, I swear it brightens up the face and makes those nasty shadows and bags under your eyes appear lighter too!

* Use the flash. I know a lot of people worry about the flash washing them out, but I personally love it and use it in pretty much all my pictures. The key is to make sure you are using the right kind of flash. Most cameras have a setting for flash intensity and remember to set the ISO levels to low. I also find the flash to reduce blurriness.

* Always shoot in Macro mode. This is the one with the flower icon and is practically made for closeup shooting. Having said that, if you are shooting at a distance under Macro mode, the pictures will come out blurry.

* Use the red-eye reduction feature. This works by having a flash go off right before the main flash to make your pupils contract, thus reducing “red eye”.

* Find your best angle. Mariah Carey’s known for her right side whereas I prefer my left. Practice with your camera and a mirror and trust me, your hard work will pay off!

* Experiment. There is a reason why cameras come with so many different modes and features. Play around with yours to figure out what works best on you.

* Steady, steady. While it’s impossible to grow a steady hand, you can always get a tripod to prevent shakiness.

Got more photography tips? Share!

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Camera Ready Makeup Tips by Kathy Aragon
Makeup Tips For Taking Passport/Yearbook Pictures

Camera Ready Makeup Tips by Kathy Aragon

Phyllis — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 02:56:12 +0000

Besides meeting Liz Yu from Yaby Cosmetics at The Artist Summit, I also attended a seminar by makeup artist Kathy Aragon on how to nail that flawless camera-ready skin she is most famous for.

* Moisturize. Kathy is BIG on moisturizing. She starts out by misting Evian Spray Brumisateur Natural Mineral Water before massaging my favorite Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentrè onto the skin. On extra dry skin (especially those nasty flakes around the nose), she likes Make Up For Ever HD Elixir. Priming is not necessary and only done when the client has oily skin.

* Kathy loves silicone-based foundation for the perfect dewy look. To get the right match, make sure you match your foundation on both your neck and chest area. Make Up For Ever HD Invisible Coverage Foundation and FACE atelier Ultra Foundation PRO are Kathy’s favorites.

* Highlight. This is a must in Kathy’s routine. She loves a fine shimmer powder (Senna Cosmetics Eye & Face Highlighting Color in Lace) along the bridge of the nose, on the cupid’s bow and on top of the cheekbone blended onto the browbone. She also strongly recommends mixing a shimmery product like Benefit High Beam or NARS Copacabana into your regular concealer to diffuse the darkness under the eyes. Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat is her top choice for mature skin.

* Just like MAC Senior Makeup Artist Victor C, Kathy is not big on concealer. She only uses her staple, Eve Pearl Concealer Trio, sparingly under the eyes. And contrary to popular belief, she matches the concealer to the circles completely, i.e. no going a shade or two lighter. For serious circles on darker skin tones, Kathy suggests using a blush with orange undertones.

* Glow with a cream blush. Kathy definitely prefers cream over powder. She applies the cream blush just on the apples, blending upwards and finishes by blending just a bit of foundation over it for the perfect inner glow. Her favorite cream blushes are Stila Convertible Color and Make Up For Ever Flash Colour.

Want more tips on photography? Check out these Makeup Tips For Passport/Yearbook Pictures and learn How To: Take Good Close-Up Makeup Pictures.

Makeup Tips For Taking Passport and Yearbook Pictures

Phyllis — Fri, 24 Mar 2006 16:52:00 +0000

Need to get your passport and yearbook pictures taken? Check out theses makeup tips below!

* Now is not the time to experiment. Stick with neutral, matte colors and go with a clean, sophisticated look. Avoid glittery or super shimmery colors because the flash may turn it into an unflattering shine and make you look weird.

* If you are on the oily side, make sure you blot before hand or you can end up looking like a greaseball.

* Curl your lashes. This opens up your eyes a LOT.

* Never use a foundation with SPF. The flash will reflect off the SPF, making you look pale.

* Make sure you are using the right shade for your foundation. My biggest pet peeve is people wearing foundations a shade or two lighter so their faces look lighter than their necks.

* Do not go overboard with powder – too much powder can make you look chalky and lifeless.

* Put on some lip balm. Chapped lips are a big no-no for pictures.

* If you want to make your features stand out more, apply a highlighting powder on the bridge of your nose.

* Don’t forget to wear blush – the flash can make you look washed out.

More tips from makeup artist Dick Page

* Mix a LITTLE gel bronzer with your foundation to make it slightly warmer.

* Define your eyebrows.

* Use a matte base and eyeshadow in neutral colors.

* Use a gray eyeliner and blend everything very well.

* Use a neutral/tawny blush.

* Use a little non-shimmery bronzer from your cheeks and take it across the bridge of your nose to the other side *lightly* and blend VERY well.

* Use a your-lips-but-better lip color. Do not use gloss, maybe just a little shimmer.

* Chin up slightly and do not smile TOO widely.

* Practice before hand and redo what you like.