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Shiny compacts, fluffy brushes, bright colors…we gaze at them with wide eyes before diving in!  We’ve all done it.  Trying on our mother’s or older sister’s makeup.  When I did it, I shared the likeness of Bozo the Clown and for some reason I did not receive the reaction of awe and wonder that I anticipated from my mom…go figure!  As you get older, your relationship with makeup changes.

Makeup is a topic that has a mixed reaction among women (and men too!).  Let me start by stating that I am a full supporter of people embracing their natural beauty.  Alicia Keys is a wonderful example of someone choosing to go without makeup.  I love how she is able to use her platform to support a movement of self acceptance!

Makeup is a wonderful tool.  It can be used to create beautiful artwork or simply protect your face from UV rays.

Amber: Makeup by Portia Sims| Christina: Makeup by Stacey Smith| Nika: Makeup by Deidra Mills

With headshots, makeup is an important tool.  A full “beat” is not required.  A natural look is generally all you ever want for professional headshots.  As mentioned in previous posts, the purpose of a headshot is to show people who you are.  Wearing  makeup that makes you unrecognizable kind of defeats that purpose.  People should be able to recognize you from your LinkedIn profile photo or comp card.  Now, there are exceptions of course.  For instance, if you are a makeup artist that specializes in full makeup for editorials or stage, it would be suitable for you.  Remember, the purpose is to represent who you are and what you do.

Makeup assists photographers by placing highlights and shadows in places that flatter our clients.  Without it, there is a lot of light needed on set and possibly a lot of post work (editing) in order for you to look like what you see in the mirror (with slight enhancements).

A great makeup artist brings out your best features.  For those who don’t wear makeup at all, you’d be surprised to know that a professional can apply your makeup so well that you don’t even feel like you have any on!

Angela Pyles|B Major Piano Studio, LLC|Makeup by Portia Sims

I’ve had the pleasure of working with multiple makeup artists, but one in particular stands out to me because she works with all sorts of clients.  She works with everyone from models and actors, to brides and everyday clients.  Her expertise is incomparable and her personality is infectious! Here is a chat with Latia Curtis about hiring a pro to do your makeup for your photo session:

Latia Curtis

Latia Curtis Makeup & Hair|Professional Makeup Artist|Photo Courtesy of Jake Simp Photos

• Why do you love makeup?
  -I’ve been playing in makeup for as long as I remember. I started out in my local theater and being a terrible actress with little to no memorization skills (I usually found myself in the makeup/hair room). I was taken on the transformations with theater makeup. To me, makeup artistry is the intersection of all of the things I love; history, people watching, characters, transformations, empowering and uplifting people. I love serving my clients be they photographers, producers, or just someone wanting makeup and hair done for a girl’s night out.

• How long have you been in your profession?
  -I’ve been a professional makeup artist for over 10 years now. I got my start at Glamour Shots (yes, THOSE Glamour Shots), worked my way up to working retail behind a counter, got promoted to counter manager, and then started freelancing. Now I’m a full time freelance makeup artist for commercial, film, and photo work. I am also a freelance artist through a local bridal company. In 2016, I got the opportunity to stretch even more creative muscles by producing and casting regional projects!

•  What are the benefits of hiring a professional vs doing it yourself?
  Even if you’re really great at doing makeup yourself, there is absolutely nothing like having your makeup applied by a qualified, experienced professional. Basically, it’s super relaxing to trust your look to a professional. You get to sit back, and feel like a celebrity for up to an hour. When you’re speaking to having a professional artist vs DIY for a photoshoot or commercial, however, we have the tools in our kit and the years of experience to ensure your look not only looks great at first application but lasts for hours with minimal attention required. There may be a little blot of powder needed here or there, but there shouldn’t be any running mascara, fading blush, or smearing lips when you’ve allowed a true professional apply your makeup. We also take into consideration WHY you’re having a photoshoot. Are you a real estate agent taking professional headshots? Are you a model building a portfolio? Are you taking photos to add to your graduate school application? Are you getting photos taken outside in natural light? Are you having them done in a studio? What’s the background color? What colors are you wearing? All of these scenarios call for a little something extra than your everyday office ready application.
  

  Photo Credit:
  Lisa Carpenter Photography|Marie Killen Photography|Courtney Dailey Photography

• Why is makeup for camera different from everyday makeup?
  -This is a great question and I get this one a lot! Typically, you’d add a little bit more saturation of product than you would for everyday makeup. Not more in the sense of being very heavy handed though. Since we’re taking a 3 Dimensional Medium (you) and transferring to a 2 Dimensional Medium (print), the placement and saturation of product is approached a little differently than it would be for every day makeup. Makeup for camera would cause me to be more strategic with placement of bronzers or sculpting powders. I’d want to add a bit more than for everyday but not place it too closely towards the mouth, otherwise someone could look gaunt. Same goes for the eyes. Cut creases are all fun and games when you’re seeing them on Instagram with the model’s eyes closed. When someone has their eyes open on camera, however, it will actually make most eyes look smaller. And cut creases are not appropriate for really anything…other than club makeup. 

• What tips do you give your clients that ask you about an easy everyday look?
  -Oh boy, one of my favorite things to do is talk to clients about their everyday looks. It’s totally possible to take some tips and tricks from a pro and apply them to your own everyday look! My biggest tip is: INVEST IN YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE!!!! I cannot say this enough. With an excellent and consistent skin care routine, you don’t have to be a slave to your makeup bag! You can run out of the house with a little mascara and cream blush one day and on a big night out you can do a full face and feel confident knowing that you’re not getting too greasy or your makeup doesn’t look cakey. You can spend a little more time playing with colors and trends when your skin is in great shape as opposed to continuing to purchase products that cover up (and exacerbate) the problem. If you don’t already have an esthetician you see bi-monthly, find one (I have a few referrals), it’s such a great investment. Our skin is the biggest organ on our bodies and sometimes we take it for granted! Be sure to take care of it

-Latia
You can contact Latia for a consultation by clicking here to visit her site.

Makeup isn’t as complicated as the YouTube tutorials make it seem.  You can have a great everyday look with minimal application or go all out for special occasions, it is all up to you.  The key for headshots is making sure that it is applied to enhance, not recreate.  So ladies, don’t overlook one of the most important factors of your headshot outside of wardrobe (last week’s post) and hair (coming up next week!).  Makeup can truly be a girl’s best friend!

To book a headshot session with Smit’N Photography, click here.

Stacey Smith| Owner and Photographer| Photo by Shakhan Kelly

-all photos on this site are taken by Smit’N Photography unless otherwise noted*