When you’re getting your pictures professionally taken, the preparation starts well before the actual photoshoot. These photo sessions are all about you putting your best foot forward whether it’s for a Linkedin profile, an feature article or even the cover of a magazine (lucky you!).
Whose Advice to Take
Choosing the right team for your photo session is essential. Your makeup artist and hair stylist is there to ensure you really shine. That means we will pay attention to your needs not only on the day of the shoot but also beforehand. Sometimes it’s a last-minute booking and we have no time for an extended prep, so we do our best on the day. But whatever effort you put in beforehand will make a world of difference.
That’s why one of my most most important jobs as a Barcelona-based makeup artist and hair stylist is to coach people through their beauty process. I often do this when working with Retrators Barcelona, a company that specializes in corporate photography and actor’s portraits. I always tell my clients: pay attention to your skin quality: that’s the hardest to fix, even with professional makeup.
Taking Care of Your Skin
When it comes to makeup, it’s all about your skin quality. I’m not talking about wrinkles, or pigmentation. I’m talking about smoothness and health. How you take care of your skin before a photoshoot will determine how well makeup sits and blends on your face. Whether or not you’re getting your makeup done professionally, investing into your skin ahead of time is key.
Skincare Routine
If you don’t already have a skincare routine, now is the time to start. About 4-6 weeks before your photoshoot you should create, maintain or upgrade your skincare routine.
For complete newbies, I recommend sticking to the basics:
cleansing your skin before bed (ideally doing a two-step cleanse: first a balm/oil/dual-phase cleanser, followed by a a gel/mousse),
moisturizing your skin based on your skin type (richer moisturizers for dry skin and lighter for oily skin),
protecting it daily with an SPF,
no funny business (don’t introduce retinols or acids. if you don’t already have a stable skincare routine in place).
For those who already follow most or all of these steps, here’s how to level-up:
an antioxidant-rich serum in the morning under your SPF (Vitamin C for dull skin, Vitamin E for sensitive skin, ferulic acid and niacinamide work well for most skin types),
light exfoliation once a week at night (use a physical scrub if your skin is resistant, or opt for gentle chemical peel with glycolic acid for dull skin or salicylic acid for oilier and acne-prone skin types)
avoid new transformative ingredients like retinol or depigmenting ingredients.
If you're already used to these ingredients, continue your regular routine.
A Visit to Your Favorite Facialist or Esthetician
In addition to doing makeup and hair for photoshoots in Barcelona, I’m also a certified facialist and facial massage therapist. From experience, face massage treatments can be done just a couple of days before the shoot, as they focus on relaxing muscles and contouring. But if you're planning a traditional facial, schedule it no later than two weeks before your session since your skin may need time to recover. Talk to your esthetician to find the best timing.
You Are What You Eat
No surprise here: makeup applies better on healthy skin. Everything we do to feel healthier will show up in our complexion. Reducing inflammatory foods like alcohol, sugar, and processed snacks and increasing antioxidant-rich foods like fruits, veggies, and healthy fats, along with drinking more water will visibly improve your skin.
Following this protocol will make your skin look and feel healthier and boost your confidence before the camera even clicks.