Should You Wear Makeup in Your Professional Headshot?
Makeup for a headshot — is it a must, or should you keep it natural?
Your headshot is often the first thing people see, whether it’s for LinkedIn, a business website, or an actor headshot. It’s your chance to make a great first impression, so naturally, you want to look your best.
But does that mean you need makeup?
Some people swear by it, saying it enhances features and gives a polished, professional look. Others prefer to keep it simple, wanting their headshot to reflect how they look every day.
So, what’s the right move?
A little touch-up?
Full glam?
No makeup at all?
In this article, we’ll break down the pros and cons of wearing makeup in men’s and women’s professional headshots, share easy tips for a camera-ready look, and help you decide what works best for you. Whatever your style, there’s a way to make sure your headshot looks polished, professional, and 100% you.
The role of a professional headshot
Enhancing your image
A professional headshot is more than another photo; it’s a powerful tool that represents your brand and credibility. It’s often your first impression, so it must reflect authenticity and professionalism.
Camera vs. real life
Unlike the human eye, the camera captures details that may not reflect how we perceive ourselves in real life. Without proper lighting or enhancement, features may appear washed out or uneven.
To achieve professional photo perfection, consider a natural beauty approach with hydrated skin, natural lip color, and subtle touches like lip gloss and darker colors in moderation.
Makeup for a headshot should aim for an application that complements your skin tone and translates beautifully under both natural light and studio lighting.
Should you wear makeup for a headshot? Pros and cons
When preparing for a professional or actor headshot, the question arises: should I wear makeup or not?
Understanding the pros and cons can guide your decision.
Pros of wearing makeup:
- Enhances your features: Makeup accentuates your eyes, brows, and lips, giving you a more awake and polished look.
- Evens skin tone: Makeup helps reduce redness, dark circles, and blemishes, offering a flawless complexion.
- Controls shine: Studio lighting can create unwanted glare; a light layer of translucent powder will make your skin matte.
- Boosts confidence: Feeling put together enhances self-confidence during the shoot.
Cons of wearing makeup:
- Look overdone: Heavy makeup might not translate well on camera, creating an unnatural appearance.
- Might not reflect your everyday look: If you seldom wear makeup, it might feel out of character.
- Cakey or unblended makeup: Poorly applied makeup distracts rather than enhances.
If you choose makeup, aim for a natural finish that highlights your natural beauty under professional photo lighting.
How to achieve a natural, professional look
Achieving a natural, professional look for your headshot doesn’t have to be complicated. Focus on enhancing your natural beauty without overpowering it. Whether you identify as a man or a woman, makeup can help accentuate your features and make your headshot pop.
Here are some helpful tips:
Less is more
Think of this as a polished version of your everyday look. Avoid heavy, full-coverage makeup; embrace subtleties that let your natural features shine.
Focus on skin
Start with a moisturizer to hydrate your skin. Once that’s absorbed, apply a light foundation or BB cream to even out your skin tone. This creates a smooth base that will do well with studio lighting. Powder foundations are also good for a natural finish that photographs well.
Define eyes and brows
A touch of mascara and some brow pencil grooming will bring out your eyes and give shape to your eyebrows, enhancing your features without being too bold. Natural light will catch these details perfectly. Eyeshadow in a neutral color is fine to help accentuate your eyes.
Neutral lip colors
Stick to natural, matte lip colors. Darker colors or overly glossy lipsticks can distract and may not photograph well in a professional photo.
Control shine
Use blotting papers or a translucent powder to control and remove any excess shine. If you are prone to sweating, see if you can take a break between every few pictures to touch up anything you need to.
By following these simple makeup tips, your professional headshots will effortlessly capture your best self. Remember, the goal is a look that’s authentically you, poised for success.
Should I hire a professional makeup artist for my headshot?
If you want a polished makeup look for your actor headshot, men’s or women’s professional headshot, or corporate headshot, hiring a makeup artist is another solution, especially if you aren’t confident in applying makeup yourself.
Professional makeup artists (MUA) know how to keep your makeup flawlessly camera-ready and expertly blended to complement studio lighting. They will be able to capture your natural beauty, as professionals know how to work with skin tones, correct dark circles, and provide a natural finish that doesn’t succumb to heavy makeup.
Who should consider professional makeup?
If you’re preparing for an important branding photo shoot or want a truly polished, flawless look, professional makeup is a great option. A makeup artist knows how to enhance your features for the camera, ensuring an even complexion and a natural, professional finish.
Hiring a professional MUA can create a cohesive, natural look for everyone if you’re doing company-wide headshots.
Whether you’re updating your business profile, getting an actor headshot, or investing in women’s professional headshots, professional makeup can help you look your best while still feeling like yourself.
However, if hiring a professional isn’t an option, don’t fret. Achieving a refined look on your own is possible. Here are some DIY makeup tips:
- Practice your look in advance, aiming for a natural finish.
- Use a translucent powder over a lighter or natural lip color for a long-lasting effect.
- Balance your face with a soft brow pencil on your eyebrows.
- Use a moisturizer or a hydrating foundation for hydrated skin and for an even application with regular skincare.
Backstage.com offers great tips for actor headshots as well, which translate to all types of headshots. Whether through a professional or DIY session, ensuring your makeup aligns with your headshot goals is essential in putting your best face forward!
What if you prefer a no-makeup look?
If makeup isn’t your thing or you prefer your bare face, that’s great, too. You can still achieve a captivating professional photo by focusing on your skincare and simple touch-ups post-shoot.
How to prep your skin for a headshot
Skincare first
Start with well-moisturized, healthy skin. Proper hydration results in a naturally radiant complexion that looks excellent under natural light or studio lighting. A consistent skincare routine keeps your base flawless — similar to foundation.
Hydrate and rest
Adequate hydration and proper sleep are your best allies. They help reduce puffiness and under-eye circles, allowing your skin tone to appear even and fresh without the need for concealers or heavy makeup.
Minimal touch-ups
Embrace your real-life glow with minimal touch-ups. If your skin tends to shine, a little blotting with translucent powder will reduce excess shine and oils without compromising your natural finish.
Whether or not you decide to wear makeup, L’Oreal offers great advice on how to prep your skin to keep it healthy and hydrated before you apply makeup or have your photo taken naturally.
Get beautiful professional headshots from JGardiner Photography
Whether you choose a full coverage look, a subtle touch-up, or no makeup at all, the key to a great headshot is feeling confident and authentic in your own skin.
Makeup for a headshot can add to your natural features and create a polished look, but it’s entirely up to your personal style and professional goals.
At JGardiner Photography, I specialize in capturing men’s and women’s professional headshots, actor headshots, and branded headshots that showcase your best self. With expert lighting, composition, and guidance, I’ll make sure you look and feel amazing — no matter how much or how little makeup you wear.
Ready to book your session? Contact JGardiner Photography today and let’s create a headshot that makes a lasting impression!