7 Hair and Make-up Tips for the Best Personal Branding Photos
Brand photography is a powerful tool in a world where we have just seconds to pique the interest of potential clients. Captivating personal brand photos are a window to your professional persona and a chance for your dream clients to connect at a deeper level. But getting the most from your brand photo or headshots shoot does require some attention to detail, and that includes your hair and make up.
I’ve teamed up with one of my favourite Auckland based Hair and Make Up Artists, Greer Melrose, to bring you our seven expert tips to help you look and feel your absolute best in front of the camera.
From how to prep your skin for a flawless complexion to styling hair that complements your features, these tips will ensure that your headshots and personal brand portraits exude confidence. So, let's dive in and get you ready to slay your headshots and brand photos!
7 Pro Hair and Make-up Tips for the Best Headshots and Personal Branding Photos
Hydrate your skin
Whether you have your make up done by a professional (which I recommend for the best result) or do it yourself, prepping your skin will give you a head start. A great moisturiser goes a long way to help your skin glow, but avoid anything with sunscreen in it on the day of your shoot as SPF moisturisers often have a shiny finish on camera.
While you’re giving your skin a drink, you might want to avoid any alcoholic ones for yourself. I understand you could be feeling some pre-shoot jitters ahead of your Personal Branding photos, but I recommend avoiding alcohol and super salty foods the night before your shoot as these can also dehydrate your skin. Instead, aim to increase your water in take in the days ahead of your photos.
As a make up artist that has seen it all, Greer agrees that moisturised skin is the best canvas.
“Having nice, moisturised skin is really helpful, so perhaps the night before use a night moisturiser and hydrating serum. Drink plenty of water the day before and morning of your shoot, and try to have a good sleep in the lead up.” - Greer
2. Freshen up your colour & cut before photo day
Greer recommends freshening up your roots and cut in advance of headshots photos or lifestyle portraits.
“Having your hair done close to the shoot is helpful as it will still be looking its best. Have regrowth touched up, and greys coloured (unless grey is your look) a couple of days before hand. These can be costly to correct in re-touching.” - Greer
One word of caution, if you’re trying something completely new, do it a few days out (not the night before) just in case you need time to correct hair colour that you’re not satisfied with.
This advice isn’t just for the ladies either.
“Men should also make sure they’ve recently had their hair styled and cut. Make sure they are clean shaven or, if a beard is their look, make sure it is well groomed and neat.” - Greer
3. smooth your hair for fewer fly-aways in your headshots
Regardless of who is doing your hair (you or a professional) you’ll want to make sure it’s clean and then smooth it into submission with a blow wave, straighteners or waves.
Fly aways are an absolute pest to clone out during the edit, so save time and money by getting your hair as tamed as possible! Opt for hair products that make your hair look clean and silky without looking wet.
For those with longer hair, I recommend keeping your hair down to frame your face rather than pulling it all back into a bun or ponytail. When all of your hair is tightly pulled back it can give the illusion that you don’t have any hair in front on photos.
If you’re just prepping your hair for a make up artist to finish, here’s Greer’s advice:
“Come to the shoot with dry clean hair. Blow dry it smooth and allow the makeup artist to finish the look by straightening or putting a wave in it for you. The camera will pick up any fly always and fuzz so starting smooth is very helpful. Avoid using too much hair spray and product - leave that to the makeup artist as they will want to run a brush or comb through hair and won’t be able to if it’s sticky with hair spray.” - Greer
4. Choose a fresh, matte foundation for natural looking photos
If you’re doing your own make up, opt for a look that is not too heavy. There is no need to apply more make up than you usually would for an important day at work.
Liquid and powder foundations are both fine, but choose something that gives you a fresh finish and nothing too shiny (again avoid greasy SPF foundations). Heavy foundation looks patchy on camera and tends to settle into lines and exacerbate wrinkles.
If a professional make up artist will be making you over completely then you can just moisturise and arrive as a blank slate. But if you’re only likely to get 10-15 minutes in the make up chair then Greer recommends arriving wearing the makeup base that you would generally wear to work.
“I suggest arriving with a nice natural, groomed base. Steer clear of face powders and eyeshadows that have too much shimmer or glitter in them as that would come across far too shiny in the photos. Wear the lipstick that you feel suits you best and the makeup artist can match and add more if needed. ” - Greer
5. Tame those brows and lashes
As with your hair, you’ll want to make sure your brows aren’t too unruly or attention seeking. Full fluffy brows are in right now, but they might not always be, so it’s a good idea to groom them a couple of days out (so you’ve got time for any redness to subside).
“I would suggest making sure eyebrows are groomed and not in need of a pluck or a wax as there would be no time for the make up artist to do that.” - Greer
6. Don’t do anything new the day before your brand shoot!
The day before is not the time to test out a new fake tan. In fact, I recommend avoiding tanning products all together as they often read orange on camera and stained hands are expensive to have edited.
Same goes for completely new hairstyles and grabbing new wardrobe items that you’ve never tried on. Also avoid exfoliating on the morning of your photo shoot as it can make your skin very red. Exfoliation or a facial is best done a few days in advance so you give your skin time to recover.
7. Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose
Ok, I can’t resist the opportunity for a Friday Night Lights reference, but really where I’m going with this is to make sure you’re rested so you can have “bright and shiny eyes” in the morning. Greer goes one step further suggesting you might want to pop in some eyedrops on the morning of your shoot so that your eyes are lovely and clear!
At the end of the day you simply want to bring your best version of you to your personal brand photos or headshots. Forget the nerves and trust that the professionals are here to help you look and feel your absolute best. After all confidence and a smile are really your best accessories!!
If you’re looking for even more advice, including tips on what to wear for your Personal Brand shoot, check out my Ultimate Guide for Personal Branding.
About the author & contributor
Featured in Harpers Bazaar, Marie Claire and Woman’s Day (to name just a few) Greer Melrose is a professional hair and make up artist based in Auckland, New Zealand. She specialises in editorial and advertising make up artistry and is also available for weddings. Greer has a gentle personality and a great way of making you feel at ease in the make up chair. Find her at:
www.greermelrosemakeup.com | @greermelrosemakeup
Aimee Glucina is a lifestyle photographer known for her relaxed and authentic Personal Branding and Family Photography. Based in Auckland, New Zealand, she’s a big fan of funny people, crime dramas, nice wine and chocolate. Not necessarily in that order.
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