Pageant Makeup Application for Photography & Stage - Learn How!

Question:  How do I apply and select makeup colors that will flatter me for my pageant photos and videos?  What is the difference in Natural Makeup and Glitz Makeup?  Should I use lots of shimmer makeup for Glitz?  Do 'photo-ready' or 'camera ready' makeup colors look heavy or fake?
 

Makeup is key to a flawless photo as well as looking your best on stage!  
 
Makeup colors that look best for photography and video are usually highly-pigmented, meaning they contain strong color pigments and are not sheer.  A highly-pigmented makeup color product will allow the user to apply a small amount to achieve a bit of color or it can provide darker, dramatic color when applied more heavily.  This allows flexibility for the user to achieve her preferred look.  Also, the strong color pigment in highly-pigmented makeup colors will hold up against the harsh lighting from cameras (no washed-out, ghostly makeup looks) and is longer lasting.
 
'Photo-ready' or 'camera ready' makeup does not have to appear heavy or fake.  With highly-pigmented makeup colors, the user has control over how much color she applies, whether she prefers a soft, natural look or a glamorous, dramatic look.  The purpose of makeup is to enhance and showcase your beauty, not cover it up! 
 
FOUNDATION:  To provide a smooth canvas for lip, eye and cheek colors, a foundation that is perfectly-matched to your skin color is essential.  The purpose of a perfectly-matched foundation is to simply 'even out' the facial skintone, not to add color to the face.  A perfectly-matched foundation color will match your neck as well, so that there is no tonal difference between the face and neck (no mismatched colors at the jawline and no applying foundation to the neck).   Use a creamy, opaque concealer to cover any dark undereye circles (these are very unflattering in photos, appearing as a 'tired' look).  Concealer can also be dotted carefully onto any untimely breakouts.  Seal both foundation and concealer with a loose powder (applied with a soft large powder brush) for a smooth, matte finish.  Do make sure that these three items - foundation, concealer and loose powder - are a perfect match to your skintone (no pinkish or peach-toned loose powders applied on top of your carefully matched foundation!).  FOUNDATION SHADE TIP:  To select a foundation shade that is an exact match to your skin, use natural (outdoor) light and a mirror.  Stripe several different sample shades from your jawline down onto your neck.  Look in the mirror while in outdoor light.  The shade that disappears onto your neck is the shade you want.  Your foundation shade can now be used to as a guideline color to carefully match your concealer and loose powder.  Using natural (outdoor) lighting for this process ensures there are no hidden undertones (pink, orange or red) in your foundations, concealers and powders.  Indoor lighting can hide undertones and distort some colors during the critical shade selection process.
 
COLOR:  After applying the foundation, concealer and powder, follow with lip, eye and cheek colors.  For long-lasting results under the warm stage lights, powder eye shadows and powder blushers are your best selection.  Another important makeup principle:  powder clings best to powder, meaning powder eye shadows and blushers will cling best to the powder you've used to seal your foundation, translating into longer-lasting results.  Blend each color product carefully, avoiding harsh lines, and check your work under a strong light or in daylight, if possible.  If you've applied a bit too much color, use cotton swabs to blend out any harsh eye makeup lines or smooth away overly dark shading.  Avoid attempting to correct mistakes with fingertips since the oils on the fingers can lead to messy, blotchy colors.  And if your blusher needs correcting, just use a bit of loose your loose powder over the blush to tone it down - and again, for best results, no hands on the face!   For guidance with makeup colors to flatter your gown, see our Dress Color Packages.  Within each Dress Color Package, you will find facial illustrations demonstrating color placement and blending for eye, lip and cheek colors.

IMPORTANT PHOTOSHOOT TIP:  Prior to your photo session, make sure to powder any shiny areas on your face.  A matte finish to your makeup will yield the best and most flattering photos!  (Avoid facial oiliness or shine by carefully blotting, not rubbing, oily areas with a tissue and lightly powdering the forehead, across nose, and chin.)  A shiny face in photos will appear very unflattering, so be sure to check your face in a mirror for shine and if needed, lightly powder right before your photoshoot!
 
NATURAL/GLITZ MAKEUP:  The difference between Natural Look Makeup and Glitz Dramatic Look Makeup is the depth and brightness of makeup colors. 

As an example using highly-pigmented eye shadows, try the following  for a basic Natural Look eye, use a blend of browns, beiges, or soft pink eye shadows; then use an eyeliner softly along the base of the upper lash line, as shown below. 

To use these same eye shadow colors for a basic Glitz Dramatic Look eye, add more emphasis in the crease and outer corners of the eyes with a darker brown, then highlight the lid and under the eyebrow with the beige or soft pink.  Also for a basic Glitz Dramatic eye look, eyeliner can be used along the base of the upper lash line and the outer corners of the lower lash line as shown below. 

Mascara application is recommended after completing the eye shadows and eyeliners.  The basic Glitz Dramatic eye look can easily be further glamorized by blending a bit of brighter eye shadow color into the darker tones or by using a shimmering highlight color on the lid.  But be careful with sparkle for photos, as too much sparkle on the eyes and cheeks can create too much reflection, causing a 'flare' on your face under the camera lights.  As an exciting finish for extra drama, add a set of glamorous false eyelashes or special effect eyelashes!
 
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT:  It is recommended to do a 'practice' makeup session at home a few times before your competition - a practice session with your makeup will be similar to a 'dress rehearsal' so you can see how you will look!  Practicing will also allow you to refine your application techniques.  If you choose to wear false eyelashes, definitely do a 'try-on' session at home prior to your event so you will feel comfortable applying them.  Eyelashes do feel different on the eyes and if you've never worn them, it make take a few minutes to get accustomed to them.  Plus, practicing your total makeup look will give you more confidence in your own makeup skills for your pageant and everyday!
 
Using the makeup techniques outlined above will help showcase your beauty while you shine with confidence!  Wishing you much success!