Choosing the Right Makeup for Your Boudoir Photo Shoot

What sort of makeup looks best when you’re wearing lingerie…or perhaps a bit less? For the vast majority of our clients we recommend a natural or nude look. For lingerie and nude shots, too much makeup can overpower the shot and detract from its artistic quality, so less is more. In post-production editing we often use techniques to enhance eyebrows, eyelashes and lips if necessary.

There are exceptions, of course. If you’re going for a forties-style pin-up girl look, break out that bright red lipstick.  For our clients who are doing “alternative modeling” such as Suicide Girls, that edgy, tattooed and pierced look goes well with dramatic smokey eyes or unconventional makeup.

If your face tends to get shiny, a bit of powder can help reduce reflection from the lights.

Since the camera will be seeing more than your face, what about the rest of your body? We recommend you use a non-oil moisturizer before your shoot and feel free to bring some with you. The moisturizer can give your skin a beautiful, supple sheen. (We recommend moisturizer for men as well for our couples shoots.) We do not recommend going to the beach or tanning bed before your shoot. Tan lines are very hard to remove in the editing process.

Do you need a professional makeup artist (MUA)? A professional can do wonders with makeup and take your look to another level. That being said, if you’re a makeup master and comfortable doing your own makeup, you’ll be just fine. There are lighted mirrors and makeup tables in the studio for your use. Enjoy your shoot!