I am not a fan of make up and I am absolutely terrible with skincare routines. I know it sounds crazy coming from someone who takes so many photos, but it is the truth . However, I do try my best to look after myself as well as I can, and just before a photoshoot I take extra care, because your skin can make or break a photo. I’m going to show you how to get your skin ready for a photoshoot with very little effort.
Get a perfect canvas
Although I try, I don’t always have time for daily make up routines. But some kind of routine is indeed crucial if you want your make up to stick and look good on you. At least I try to do my best a week in advance when I know I am going to have a photoshoot. I don’t have a miraculous solution that will work in just an hour, but you can definetely improve your skin in very little time following some simple steps.
1. Start from the inside
Yes, I am about to give you a pep talk about eating healthy and drinking water. It may seem a bit silly if we are talking about make up, but if you want a perfect skin you should start by eating as healthy as you can and drinking lots of water. Almost three liters of water is the recommended intake amount, but let’s be honest, that’s nearly impossible, you will be as good with just a little bit less.
Personally, I have a skin condition called rosacea. This means I have to be extra careful if i don’t want my skin to flare up. I’m prone to get extremely red cheeks, pimples and dry skin. To minimise all this, the days before a shoot I avoid spicy food, greasy food and alcohol and in general anything that could trigger a reaction. Save the chocolate for after the show too.
2. Exfoliate every inch
Have you ever applied your make up just to notice your skin has started to flake? Worse effect ever! And extremely annoying. You want to get rid of all the dead cells on top of your skin that are just hiding the beauty below. To do this, you can scrub your face with an exfoliating gel. Use a horsehair mitt or a firm sponge for your body while you are showering to get rid of all that dead skin that’s causing you problems. Remember not to overdo it and be gentle. In general, I exfoliate no more than two or three times a week.
Furthermore, you can use black head strips or exfoliating masks for a deep clean as well. And don’t forget the lips! If they feel too dry and flakey rub them with a mixture of honey and sugar to get rid of the dead skin and use a lip balm afterwards to keep them hydrated.
3. Get rid of all the fluff
Do not forget to get rid of those little hairs that are on your way. I have naturally bushy eyebrows and I am sure I could pull off the Frida Callho look any time if I wanted to. But I don’t want to. I find it much easier to apply make up after I have trimmed and plucked any rebel hairs. This is even more true when I have to colour my eyebrows. I will also wax or shave any unwanted hair, which makes my skin feel much softer.
4. A deep cleanse
I always use micellar water to clean any daily rests of make up. Even if you do not wear make up it helps cleaning your skin after a long day outside. Don’t forget to use toner afterwards! Washing your face with lukewarm water and a gentle gel cleanser is always a good habit too.
The day before a shoot I go a step further and have a bath. A long warm shower will do the trick as well. Not only it will clean you, it will also help you relax. If I have time in the morning before the photoshoot I may have a shower too, as it is refreshing and relaxing.
My top picks
5. Hydration is key
I already suggested drinking lots of water. Now it is time to boost that moisture inside your skin. I don’t go crazy with expensive creams. I simply use a day cream in the morning and a night cream just before I go to bed. For your body you can use a shower cream or baby oil after you shower. Body lotions are an option too. A healthy skin will show and will make you feel comfortable. The day before the shoot I use a hydrating face mask too.
Just before I apply my make up I use a Vitamin-C serum that makes my skin glow and disguises any little marks. It makes your skin feel super soft. You can use moisturiser instead, those with Q10 will hide any little wrinkles if you are already getting some.
My top picks
6. Just relax…
It is very easy to overlook this step, but it is indeed very important. Stress levels can cause ugly reactions on your skin. Before a photoshoot I make sure I have everything under control. I make a list with all the things I will need and I gather them all if possible. As I often shoot at home in my own homemade studio, I make sure everything is ready in advance.
All this is to make sure I can reduce my stress levels and to know I have everything under control. The day before a shoot I make sure I have plenty of rest and depending on the time I will have a bath or a long shower. This helps me keep my mind blank and not only helps my skin but also my attitude towards the shoot.
7. Nobody is perfect
Did you follow all the tricks above and your skin isn’t flawless yet? Don’t worry, nobody is perfect. The truth is, no matter how hard you try, it is impossible to get a perfect canvas. Actually, you have probably been fooled. All those perfect photos of models and influencers on your social media are actually all a lie. This is because all the photos you see on social media have been edited beforehand.
Having a good skin routine is vey important to get good photos and also to have a healthy skin. However, don’t be obsessed wit it, and remember that any little imperfections can easily be hidden with just a bit of post-processing on your image or a good selfie filter. Either way, never forget that you are beautiful no matter what.
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