Looking good on camera is a must for webcam models, and good skin is an easy shortcut to a glow when performing. Not everyone is blessed with an even, “good” complexion though, but don’t worry — it’s easy to fake smooth, glowing skin with a little help.
Skin Prep
Prep is key to a great base. Make sure you cleanse, exfoliate, tone and moisturise first. This gives you a good canvas to build your look on. Do this at least half an hour before you start your base.
Once skin is prepped, it’s time to prime. It may be tempting to skip this step, but it creates a smooth surface for products to play on. Most cosmetic ranges sell primers, but for great budget options with plenty of variety for different skin types, NYX is hard to beat.
Prime your entire skin, including eyelids. If you have large pores, invest in a pore filling primer. Apply across your T-Zone, preventing your product from falling into them and avoiding that orange peel look once you start your base.
Allow ten minutes for your primer to absorb, and you’re ready to create that base! You’ll need a foundation to match your skin, a concealer a few shades lighter, a beauty sponge, contouring powder or cream, translucent powder, bronzer, blush and highlighter. Don’t be afraid to use drugstore brands to keep costs down.
Build that Base
Dispense a good amount of foundation onto a shiny surface. I use a palette box or something similar. If you use your hand, you inevitably lose some of the product into your skin. Dampen your beauty sponge, and begin to pat the foundation onto the surface of your skin.
Use the flexibility of your sponge to get into the nook and crannies of your face. Bounce the sponge against your skin in tight little motions ‘til your entire face and neck are covered. Once you’re happy with the coverage, allow your face time to dry and set. I usually do my brows in this time.
Now, let’s add a little illumination. Apply your concealer in a fan shape underneath your eyes, extending down the side of your nose and graduating it up to the edge of the eye. Apply a little down the bridge of your nose, on the centre of your forehead and on your chin. Taking the beauty sponge again, gently bounce and blend the lighter color into your base. Leaving the center of your face illuminated and bright.
Bake
Now, to bake! Use a little of the translucent powder to set the base. Pat and brush the powder gently across the surface of your skin to lock your product in. Apply a little translucent powder to your beauty sponge and, working backwards from the outside of your eye, pat it underneath.
This has a two-fold effect: setting and “baking” the undereye and collecting any fall out from your shadow. Leave this to sit while you do your eyes, and afterwards you can kick the excess powder off with a brush.
Time for Bravery: Contouring
Contouring adds definition and shape to your face – and it doesn’t have to be scary. Try to avoid orange shades, opting instead for cool ash-like tones. This better resembles a shadow look, which is what you’re aiming for.
Taking an angled brush, apply a little underneath of your cheek bone. Suck in your cheeks and apply the color into the hollow created, sweeping it in a line upwards to meet your hairline at your ear. The colour can be swept around the side of your forehead for a more dramatic effect.
Blend this colour into your base, sweeping it upwards towards your cheek to create a shadow affect and slim your face shape. This same affect can be used on the sides of your nose to slim and change the shape.
Color Pop
Our base is nearly complete — we just need some color. Add some bronzer across your cheeks, sweeping it around your eyes and up onto your forehead. Using the same technique, apply a little sweep of blusher across the apple of your cheeks, the tip of your nose and your chin. This gives you a glowing flush.
To finish this look, let’s highlight. Carefully apply a wash of highlighter to the top of your cheekbones, stopping just under your eye. Apply highlighter down the front of your nose, your Cupid’s bow, a little on your chin and in the center of your forehead. Basically, anywhere the light would naturally catch you.
Set your base with setting or finishing spray. This helps the products settle onto the skin and stops them from moving around.
Add to this base your on-cam eyes and lips for a perfect look with a killer glow. Now, go slay queen!
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Katy Seymour is a super-sex-positive writer in the U.K. who believes kink is life. Email her at katy@ynotcam.com.
