Recently I was on set with a group of girls and we had been asked to come makeup ready. Naturally, I had woken up an hour early to do my hair and makeup and did it just like I suspected the makeup artist would have done it, had there been one. Perfect, warm skin, some definition around the eyes and a soft lip.
The other girls weren’t sure what hair and makeup ready meant and I made a mental note to clear that up for all other girls in the same situation.
LOOK ONE: MAKE-UP FOR STILLS
If you’ve been asked to do natural makeup for a creative you can get away with a pretty minimal look. If the photographer had wanted artist results and a statement face, they would have hired an MUA.
(This is also a great casting look and products like these are definitely worth investing in.)
Face: Try a tinted Moisturizer or light foundation to even out the skin but let your natural colour and any freckles show through. Put concealer on any blemishes and under the eyes. Set with a little bit of powder if it’s going to be a long day.
Cheeks: Choose a blush colour that best resembles your natural flush. If you’re unsure, peachy colours, like NARS Orgasm, are pretty universal. Just a touch on the apples of your cheeks should be plenty. Step back to see if the intensity is right.
Eyes: A single un-clumpy coat of mascara will do a great job of looking natural but bringing in the right amount of attention.
Brows: Just run some clear mascara through your hairs so they’re pointing in the right direction. If you have any obvious gaps, lightly fill them in and brush it out again.
Lips: Similarly to your blush, choose a lip colour that reflects your natural shade. Or just go for a balm. The ideal combination is a tinted balm. Clarins Lip Balm Crayons are the perfect medium. My go-to is in shade Creamy Pink.
This is also a great casting look and products like these are definitely worth investing in.
LOOK TWO: MAKE-UP FOR FILM
If you’re doing something for film or TV it’s good to spend a bit more time and product to make sure the studio lights don’t wash you out and your features stand out well on camera. With HD being the norm these days pay extra attention to any streaks or lines that the camera may pick up.
Face: It’s a good idea to prime the face with something like Smashbox’s Photo Finish, which will help everything stay in place under hot lights and stress. With foundation you can go for more coverage. I usually wear Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, which is Lightweight and buildable, starting in my T-zone and blending outward.
Use the same concealer tips as above, again making sure that everything is well blended. You’ll want to set this with powder because TV cameras are notorious for making people look extra-shiny.
Cheeks: You can afford to use a bit more blush for this look but don’t forget to step back to make sure you haven’t gone over board. The same colour guidelines apply.
Eyes: If you’re using shadows it’s a good idea to create a base on the lid so you don’t get any creases. I like MAC Paint Pot in Painterly for myself, but it also comes in other colours for darker skin tones. If you’re feeling makeup-competent, try adding some light crease definition with a shadow a few shades darker than your natural skin colour. Take a fluffy brush and, with your eyes open, buff in a very small amount of shadow into the crease area. Don’t stop blending until you can’t tell where the shadow ends. Make sure none has fallen under your eye. If it has, a few sweeps of foundation can act as an eraser. A soft brown or black eyeliner on the top lid is optional, just make sure the two eyes are symmetrical and there are no harsh lines. Curled lashes and a coat or two of mascara will open the eye up nicely so even if you’re shooting at 6am you’ll look wide awake.
Brows: Fill in your natural shape with some powder or a pencil and then brush most of it out. Clear brow gel will set it all in place.
Lips: A pinky-nude lip works best for TV. You can enhance your natural colour a bit but be careful of adding too much pop without consulting first.
Finishing touches: I like to warm up my face a bit with some bronzer on the top of my forehead and a tiny tiny bit under my cheekbones for definition. Take a toner or aerosol water and lightly spray your finished look to make it last and prevent any cakeyness.
Keep your lip colour and powder on hand for any off-set touchups throughout the day.
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