Guest Post: Plan for a Flawless Face in Wedding Photos

Plan for a Flawless Face in Wedding Photos
by Sarah Logan

Wedding pictures hold some of the happiest memories of a lifetime, so be sure you
consider all the angles when preparing to be photographed on the big day.
In the weeks and months leading up to the wedding…

Plan your procedures ahead- it’s easy to get caught up in the craziness of tastings, fittings and
appointments and forget to schedule facial treatments until the last minute. Don’t be tempted to
get microdermabrasion or chemical peels within at least a month of the event, depending on the
exact type of laser or peel. Laser resurfacing “heals within days and normal color returns within
a few weeks- if that long” according to Dr. Edward Lack (Chicago liposuction). Even a simple
facial shouldn’t be considered in the last few days leading up. Call well ahead of time and
discuss this with the technician.

Practice good skin health- stay hydrated and eat healthfully leading up to the event. Don’t try
new skincare products, or anything that may irritate your skin. Anticipate your skin’s history, and
treat it accordingly depending on changes your skin may experience in the climate or weather
that’s expected at the venue.

For the big day…
Start with a good base- be sure that your foundation is the right color and formulation for your
skin. You may feel like you should use a heavy cream or stick foundation since you’re being
photographed, but heavier formulas will look caked on and are more likely leave a line of
demarcation around the neck and hairline that’s tougher to blend away. Just stick with the liquid
or powder that works for you, and be sure it’s properly matched to your color. No one wants to
look washed out, but it can also age you a bit if your base is too dark for you. Color correcting
concealers, like green or yellow for redness, and peach or yellow for undereye circles are a
much better choice than simply layering on more makeup. Remember that redness will be easily
picked up in photographs so take care to balance that out, and stay away from more pink based
foundations.

Avoid the shiny look- glitter will reflect too much on camera, and shouldn’t be worn to a nice
event like a wedding anyway. Radiance-enhancing or shimmery foundations make faces look
too slick and shiny for photos, so if you must, only keep the sheen on cheekbones and the
cupid’s bow for highlighting purposes. Always finish the t-zone with powder, which is especially
important to balance any highlighting applied. If you know you’re more oily, pop pressed powder
in your bag so that you stay shine free.

The eyes have it- keep in mind that darker eyeshadows and heavy liner make eyes look
smaller. A matte or pearl shadow formula will be universally flattering and especially in warm,
earthy tones. To keep eyes looking big and bright, highlight the inner corners and brow
bone with an off-white, light pink or pale gold shadow or crayon. The older you are, the more
important it is to stay fast to the no shimmer rule, as it tends to bring attention to fine lines. Black
eyeliner can also look too harsh for older women (same goes for liquid liner) and fair blondes
are more suited for eyeliner and mascara in the brown tones. Don’t forget to make sure brows
are properly framing the face- everyone looks better and younger with defined brows. Fill the
arches with powder or if using a pencil, blend with a brush. Brow color and size are important
considerations here, so don’t forget to use a light hand and blend.

Consider your venue and lighting- do take the time to stop and think about if the event/ photos
will be taking place indoors or out, and at what time of day. Indoor photos will be taken with
flash, so it’s important to use powder to combat shine and to also be sure foundation is matched
well. If outdoors, soften makeup a bit as it can easily look too heavy or harsh. Also adjust
your makeup look for more formal locations, and later times in the evening. When considering
these factors, you will want to use more color and definition over simply adding more makeup.
Keeping these ideas in mind, remember its always most important to look like yourself and feel
comfortable on your wedding day. These techniques will help ensure you look flawless both in
person and in photographs for years to come.

Content provided by Sarah Logan on behalf of ASI (beauty schools, NY). It offers aesthetic certification classes and
specialized coursework in microdermabrasion certification and paramedical esthetics.