My career as a nutritionist and fitness trainer has been remarkably aided by my skills as an esthetician, makeup artist, and former assistant to a surgeon. Most of my clients have asked me for tips on beauty that I have been able to give.
While I can answer skin care, makeup and cosmetic treatment questions for people with different fitness goals, my clients who are getting married or preparing to shoot photos have more beauty questions than me.
After answering many questions from my models and brides about everything from acne, enlarged pores and ashy skin to Botox, lip plumpers and longer lasting foundations to waterproof concealers and preventing mascara smudges to a variety of other topics, I have noticed quite a few trends.
Because so many of your concerns are similar, I decided to compile them into a series articles that will outline the essentials of what you should know in order to look stunning on your special day.
A flawless complexion is key to your confidence and your photos. We’ll be discussing skin in this edition of top beauty tricks. This article will help you understand how to apply foundation and primer, as well as blush and shimmer. You’ll also learn how to make your pores appear invisible.
Let’s get started!
What can I do about redness? What happens if you have rosacea or eczema?
You’re more likely to become red if you are naturally sensitive to heat, nervousness, exercise, and sweat. Redness can be reduced in a number of ways, but the most important is to try to relax.
After you have taken some deep breaths and calmed down, pour 1/2 cup of whole milk in a bowl. Place it in the freezer for five minutes. To relax, dip a cotton washcloth in the milk. It should stay on for 10 minutes. The redness should disappear.
There are creams available that can help rosacea sufferers or those who have persistent flushing. Avene Anti-Redness Rich Moisturizing Cream is my top choice, but it’s worth trying to discover what works for you. Don’t forget to avoid alcohol and sodium.
You can reduce the redness of makeup by using a primer or powder containing a green ingredient. My favorite is the Make Up For Ever HD Microperfecting Primer, in Green.
I get my pimples last-minute! How can I quickly get rid of a pimple?
You can get rid of zits naturally and quickly by applying 100% pure tea tree oil. Apply it directly to your skin with a cotton swab. Benzoyl peroxide is another option. The fastest and most convenient option is cortisone injection. This will require you to visit your dermatologist (and a needle).
You’ll need to conceal a pimple that you get on the big day. It’s easier to remove a tiny zit from a photo than to make your smile happy. Don’t let a pimple ruin your day!
My skin is dry and ashy. What can I do if my skin is dry and flaky?
It’s best to prevent your skin from flaking by using moisturizing creams, and keeping it hydrated. You’ll be able to use oil-based cleansers, which are completely non-drying. Look out for squalene or hyaluronic acids in your skin care products. These are great for adding moisture to the skin.
You should also consider moisturizing masks. Pre-made masks are available (my personal favorite for dry skin is Pevonia’s Rejuvenating Skin Mask), but you can also make your own.
Here’s a great recipe: Mix one egg yolk, 1/2 mashed avocado and 1 Tbsp honey with 1/2 mashed banana. Add a few drops whole milk. Let the mixture sit on your face for 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water and then repeat the process. Apply your moisturizer after washing the skin a second time. You should do this at least once a week.
If your skin is still dry and peeling on the morning of the shoot or big event you can soften it by steaming your skin for a few seconds (you can also stand under a hot running faucet to do this). Next, use a gentle scrubber or washcloth to exfoliate. After you have done that, you can apply a moisturizing cream (the recipe is below). Follow the instructions in the previous paragraph.
J-Lo’s “glowy” look is my favorite, but my skin is naturally oily. How can I achieve glowing skin without looking shiny?
You should avoid using shimmery powders, foundation products or dewy makeup unless you are doing an artistic shoot. The only way to control which areas of your face will glow or reflect light is to place shimmer precisely on your face.
Use matte products, even if they are not your favorite! As the base. You can use matte foundations, blushes, bronzers and powders. If you apply shimmer in the wrong places or too often, it can look like grease.
After you have applied all your makeup, and your skin is looking flawless, apply a light amount of a highlighter in a liquid or lotion formulation to your cheekbones, inner corner, and top of the nose bridge. You can find the instructions here.
Apply your matte powder and you will have just enough glow to not look shiny.
I am pale and would like to appear tanned, but without damaging the UV rays. Have any ideas?
A self-tanner is an option. The trick is to find one that doesn’t cause you to break out or make your skin look splotchy, streaky or orange. You can usually get a good result with gradual tanners like Jergens Natural Glow. However, it is best to use them at least one week before your big day. Also, make sure to experiment with the color to ensure that it looks natural to your skin.
However, the best advice I can offer in this situation is to hire a professional to do it. There are many airbrushing salons available these days. All you have to do to get the job done is to scrub well and wear loose-fitting clothes. You should not shower for six to eight hours afterwards. It will give you a beautiful tan and make your shoot stress-free.
How can I get my skin to look smoother in photos if I have large pores and a very rough complexion?
You can take care of your skin all year, just like in other situations. This will ensure that your skin is as healthy and smooth as possible. While some people are more prone to having larger pores than others, keeping them as clean as possible will make them smaller. To declog pores and prevent them from getting stretched out, you can use retinol-based creams or kaolin-based masques.
Avoid using pore-clogging products. Look for non-comedogenic on all your skin products. Use gentle scrubs frequently, but not too often. A Clarisonic brush is a great option for improving skin texture.
All that said, there are times when we find ourselves with enlarged pores. What can a girl do? You can do it!
It’s simple: Choose a good primer, and a matte foundation that lasts. There are many primers on the market that are ineffective. I have my favorites: Perfekt Skin Perfection Gel and Becca Line and Pore Corrector.
Foundations are something I recommend. You can get a few samples of SPF and titanium dioxide-free foundations. These ingredients could cause a grey reflection in your photos. Make Up For Ever HD Foundation is my top pick for photo shoot foundations. To ensure that you get the right color match and that the consistency is suitable for your skin, ask for samples.
One more tip: Match your foundation to your neck, upper chest, and skin. It is easy to make it look like you are wearing a mask if your face color does not match your neck or decollete. Blend your foundation on your neck. If your shoulders are visible, apply it to your chest.
How can I keep my makeup on?
Here are some things to keep in mind. First, layer everything. Apply a cream blush to your foundation. Next, add a powder blush to it. Finally, apply your contouring bronzer and any highlighter over that. Then, dust everything off with powder.
A cheek stain is a great option if you are the kind of person whose blush disappears no matter how many layers you apply. There are many options. Tarte has a great range of cheek stain colors, while Benefit just released Posietint, my favorite stain product.
Apply your makeup to your eyes and lips, then you can apply a make-up spray like Make Up For Ever’s Mist & Fix. This will give your makeup a long-lasting finish. After your makeup has dried, you can apply a light layer of setting powder and you will be ready to go for hours.
