Whether you’re the girl-next-door type or a glamor goddess, you represent a fantasy for fans and you want to put your best face forward — so makeup is a must. Even though you’re plenty cute the way you are, boo, to maximize your face on Face Time or take your Beautiful Agony show to the next level, every model should know a few tips and tricks for the camera.
Like any skill, looking great on cam takes a little practice. There’s tons of advice, the most important of which seems to be you don’t want to look like you fell face first into a mound of white powder (or have a raccoon tan like Donald Trump).
We asked a professional Hollywood makeup artist to tell us what’s most essential to perfect your on-camera look. “Lighting is everything,” she said. “There must be proper lighting on the girl’s face, coming from the proper direction. Proper lighting can be a girl’s best friend or a fast enemy.” (Lighting is a whole ‘nother post, but here are a few tips for how to get it right on a super-low budget.)
So, once you’re well lit, what’s gonna turn up the voltage? “From everyday makeup to studio-quality for film and television, contouring is number one for any makeup application,” our pro said. “A must-have is Hoola [Matte] Bronzer by Benefit. It contours amazingly on just about every skin tone.”
Now, if you learn better by having someone show you, you can always schedule an appointment at your local MAC Store or Sephora. For a fee ($50 at MAC) one of the resident makeup artists will do you over for whatever look you want to create (plus try and sell you a bunch of products, but feel free to ignore that). The makeup artist will be so thrilled to be working with someone who’s not a prom queen or bride, they’ll probably let you play with all their neat toys and tools.
Any artist will show you how to get the look you want step-by-step, but see if you can get a referral from a friend for a makeup artist who’s awesome.
YouTube tutorials are another way to go. You’ll find drugstore divas like brunette Tori Sterling, who teaches a red-carpet-ready look with stuff you can get at CVS or Walgreens, which is great when you’re on a budget. Blonde Sheridan Gregory gives a dressed-down, elegant on-camera look for summer that’s fresh and feminine. African American diva NeNe Tanae brings her impressive skills to application of foundation and highlighter, covering skin flaws and shadows to result in a look that’s smoldering and sexy.
Tired of being you for a minute? Makeup is a quick way ramp up your role-playing, whether you incorporate wigs, contact lenses, costumes or props. When it comes to cosplay, the “anime female” is a favorite character for its wide-eyed, innocent look, especially combined with schoolgirl or Goth Lolly fashions. Nekos_Fang walks viewers through a super-cute anime look. Wanna keep it simple? Hey Yukiie! demonstrates a simple technique for huge anime eyes (and the black surgical mask she wears to show off the look is totally hot, BTW).
Whatever your style, there’s a way to get a look that’s uniquely yours. Play with it…and then rock it.
