Being in front of the camera can be very daunting and it often feels easier to pull a silly face, than trying to take yourself seriously.
However, given that a lot of us have an online presence to maintain, we don’t really have a choice but to occasionally share some snapshots of our faces looking well put together.
Then there’s just being surrounded by cameras all the time, offering the potential for a spontaneous photo opportunity at any given moment. This is why ensuring you’re photo-ready at all times makes the whole process easier and more enjoyable.
Here are some top tips on how to get photo ready from our brand ambassador Hayley Hall:
Look after your Canvas
The last thing you want to worry about when having your photo taken is a breakout, cold sore or dark circles under your eyes – so look after your canvas to the best of your ability!
Effectively cleansing both morning and night, applying a thorough skincare regime and minimising the potential for breakouts will give you the confidence you need to get snap happy.
Solutions such as lipivir® will help ensure you’re free from selfie-scrapping cold sores, ensuring you look and feel your best. The lightweight gel can be applied around the edge of lips daily to help prevent the appearance of cold sores by blocking the signals that cause them; the formula is made of a biologically inactive substance, which ‘jams’ the viruses’ communication, thus helping you to feel confident that they won’t make an appearance.
Enhance your best Features
We all have bits of ourselves we don’t like. So learning to perfect poses that enhance your best bits and hide those unfavourable parts simultaneously is highly effective.
Nobody looks great face-on (unless you’re a model,) so turning your chin slightly to the side gives a slightly better perspective; adding some movement or laughter into a photo gives it warmth and a touch of realism, while props, bags or pockets give you something for your hands to do.
Standing up straight but slightly curving your back or bending a leg can also help to elongate, giving you a leaner and more appealing stature. Do a Victoria Beckham and learn what works for you, so you can repeat those same few poses again and again!
Embrace Great Lighting
It’s amazing what great lighting can do for a shot. Dull days or shadowy corners can leave your complexion looking flat and lifeless, but a touch of sunshine or even the torch of your phone can help to brighten the overall result and ensure your skin looks fabulous.
One of the best tricks is to use a soft box, which can help subtly bleach out imperfections. So if you’re taking portrait shots a lot, it’s a worthwhile investment. If you’re on the go, you can also get a ring light for your phone to produce a similar effect.
To replicate this on the street, it’s all about letting the sun shine down on you without creating too much of a contrast. Afternoon sessions are best for this and can provide some gorgeous results with very little effort. If you want to make the results even more beautiful, make sure you add a touch of highlighter to the tops of your cheekbones to catch the light to help ensure your skin looks like that of a goddess.
Smile from Within
The most important tip of all. Being comfortable and confident in your skin is the best way to create that perfect shot. People won’t be looking at your self-identified imperfections if you’re looking happy and content – embrace your inner Kate Moss and work the camera!
Beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, colours and ages, so represent and take that snap with sass. It’s not about competing with models, but creating your own style and being proud of who you are (both inside and out).
People respond to those that radiate happiness, so always, always smile from the inside out.
Do you have any other tips for taking the perfect shot and ensuring you’re photo ready at all times? We’d love to hear from you on our lipivir® Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Sources: Original Blog Post by Hayley at London Beauty Queen