Photoshop is an amazing tool for helping actors look their best, but there are some things that really can’t be faked. Here are some tips on how to prepare for your headshot so that it really shines …
1. Drink plenty of water. When you are dehydrated, fine lines and pores are more noticeable and your lips can look dry and wrinkled. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which are diuretics and can cause dehydration. Make sure to drink plenty of water in the days leading up to your photoshoot to give your skin a healthy, moist glow. Coconut water is also a good alternative to water and another delicious way to hydrate yourself.
two. Hydrate. Gentlemen, this also refers to you! Using a moisturizer diminishes fine lines and dry, flaky skin. My favorite nighttime moisturizer is Honey Girl Organics Face & Eye Cream (available from Whole Foods) – it’s ultra-hydrating and has a great texture. My second favorite moisturizer is extra virgin olive oil. I know it sounds silly, but it’s a wonderful, convenient, and inexpensive beauty aid! Just pour a few drops into the palm of your hands and rub it all over your face before bed (and don’t wash it off). The night before shooting is the most important time to hydrate, as well as the morning of. I recommend using a daily moisturizer like Neutrogena Healthy Skin Face Lotion with SPF 15; Not only will it give you an extra dose of moisture, but it will also protect you from the sun when taking pictures outdoors.
3. Get a facial. Once again … I’m talking to you guys too! Extraction facials are a great way to cleanse your pores. Clogged pores and blackheads will show up in your photos! As a photo retoucher, I can tell you that it is easy to remove a blackhead here and there, but it is NOT easy to clean a whole face of dirty pores. Get your facial at least a week before your session, because facials can cause breakouts and redness. Make sure the facial you are receiving includes extractions. And drink lots of water before your facial! The more hydrated you are, the more supple your skin will be … And this will make it much easier for your esthetician to really clean your pores.
Four. Use fresh mascara. Ladies, this is a great time to replace your mascara! Experts say that you should replace your mascara every 3-6 months, but I know that many of us (myself included) sometimes keep it longer. As mascara ages, it looks clumpy and makes lashes look like spider legs. It’s almost impossible to clean those tabs in Photoshop! So get a new tube of mascara to make your lashes look soft and natural, and comb them if you see clumps. My favorite mascara is Lancome Definicils … Try it with Lancome Cils Booster for more impact!
5. Don’t overdo your base. Keep makeup light and natural so your skin texture doesn’t look fake. Loreal True Match Liquid Foundation has a beautiful finish that looks great on camera. Keep sheer powder on hand to add shine, but take it easy. For men, I would normally recommend that you not wear foundation at all. Just use a little moisturizer and possibly a light coat of translucent powder or oil blotting sheets to take care of the shine. Don’t worry about a pimple or a shave cut, those things can be easily touched up. But I can almost always tell when men are wearing makeup in a photo, and there’s not much I can do to make it look more natural in Photoshop. If you have uneven skin and decide to use a foundation, go lightly … and try the aforementioned Loreal True Match instead of the cakey stage makeup!
6. Get enough sleep. This is obvious advice, but it is important. Not only will you look better, you’ll feel better!
7. Get a cut. Hair always looks so much better when it’s freshly cut, so why not get it done the week of the shoot? Neat ends cannot be easily faked in Photoshop. Also, it is a good idea to ask your photographer to keep an eye on your hair during the shoot. It can be easily rearranged in real life, but not so much in post.
8. Bring lip balm or gloss. To keep your lips moist in your photos, make sure you have lip balm on hand. Ask your photographer from time to time if your lips look dry or chapped, and reapply as needed.
Well that’s it! These are my tips on how to look great in your photos. By starting with these basics, you will spend less time and money with your retoucher and will be much happier with the results.
