I’m so excited to share the easy things I do to look my best in photos! I’ve been blogging for 10 years now, and if there is one thing I’ve learned it’s how to get camera ready quickly. These simple beauty hacks will have you looking and feeling more photogenic in minutes!
5 Ways To Look Your Best In Photos
Powder Your T-Zone
Forehead shine is so not cute! I’m all about dewy, glowy skin, but full blown forehead shine is a no no. Even if you don’t think you look shiny before you leave the house, by the time you’ve moved around outside/start chatting with people/stand under harsh lighting, your forehead is inevitably going to sweat or produce oil. This is why setting powder is a GODSEND and every blogger and model’s beauty secret. I’ve been using this Laura Mercier translucent setting powder available at Walmart Beauty forever and can’t recommend it enough.
Take a blush brush or even thick eyeshadow brush and brush the powder all over your forehead and under your eyes. If you don’t have a brush, I’ve even used a tissue or cotton pad in desperate times!!! The powder will completely even out your skin tone and make you look flawless in photos. Don’t put it anywhere else, because you want to keep a pretty glow/little shine on your cheeks. Random – but I’ve actually used this as dry shampoo too when I’m traveling and didn’t want to pack a ton of products! Works like a charm.
Apply 3 Coats of Mascara
Ok so this is my trick to apply mascara and make your lashes look extra long. Put on your 1st coat like you normally would. Then about 1 minute later, put on your 2nd coat. Put a light coat on your bottom lashes. Then do something else for 10 or so minutes and before you head out the door or are going to take photos, apply a 3rd coat – and really get in there and work the brush hard into your lashes from bottom to top. By the 3rd coat you’ve got a great base so you can really create a ton of volume and get that length! This final 3rd coat will make your eyes POP and optimize that mascara. This L’Oreal mascara has been a go-to of mine for years and you can’t go wrong with the price – get 2 for under $10!!!
Lightly Curl Your Hair
Subtle curls give your hair volume and depth. I prefer a curl to straight hair any day. If you’re looking for an affordable curling iron, this Hot Tools 1″ iron has held up for almost a decade and costs under $40. I love that it has so many different temperature options so you can really adjust it based on your hair thickness. If you’re interested, I have a mini hair tutorial saved under my IG Hair Highlight!
Gloss Those Lips
A pretty pink lip gloss really enhances your lips in photos. I LOVE this Julep one in shade All The Feels. It smells so good, gives me just the right amount of color, is super hydrating and stays on. It’s not super goopy/overly glossy which is a must for me!!! This would make a PERFECT stocking stuffer too FYI.
Manicured Nails
I feel naked without nail polish. And to be honest, I feel unpolished – literally haha! A manicured nail looks so good, and is so easy to do yourself. It’s worth taking the 10 minutes to paint your nails before you get your photo taken. Your hands will show up in the photo, and you’ll look more feminine and put together! When my nails look good I also feel more confident. It’s weird but I really do. In the fall/winter I always use OPI Lincoln Park After Dark, which is a deep purple-ish black color. It’s on sale for under $10 here – and another great stocking stuffer idea.
Holiday Beauty Gifts
All of these beauty products are available in Walmart’s Beauty section! AND they’re available for 2 day shipping! Walmart’s Beauty section is also full of amazing gift sets for the holidays – and I love that they broke their gift section down by price point making it so easy to find what you need. This is a great makeup organizer for the bathroom counter, or under the sink. This Dolce & Gabbana perfume smells sooooo good (reminds me of summer in Italy!) And this gua sha + jade roller set is a steal for under $20.
Always serving us the chicest looks
Thank you for these lovely tips! Always great advice :)
This post came right on time for the holiday pictures. I also love the L’Oreal voluminous mascara.
Fantastic products at an affordable price. The L’Oreal mascara is my everyday go to, and I always have a bottle of light blue by D&G.
So many beauty staples! Laura Mercier & Lincoln Park After Dark are my faves.
Definitely need to try the 3 coat mascara trick!
Love all your minimal beauty tips Kat! Great post, thank you for sharing!
Great ideas! I like the one about using setting powder as a dry shampoo, who would’ve thought! And The 3x mascara trick, so awesome!
1. I will try whatever you advise to look good in photos – you always look stunning!
2. Who knew walmart sold LM? Not I.
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Oh yes this was so helpful Kat! Thank you x
Lisa | lisaautumn.com
All amazing tips as usual! I can’t wait to try the mascara one in particular, complete game-changer! xo
Beautiful post! Happy holidays.
I’m checking out these items – thanks for sharing this helpful blog!
What great tips! The LM powder is one of my favorites too. I love that it makes you look put together and not cakey.
Somehow didn’t learn most of these till mid 20s. All my college photos desperately need a little t-zone powder
Seriously the best tips! A fresh polish is always key for me to feel put together
Great tips! Wish I had some of this advice when I was in my 20s 😂
Love Laura Mercier! I had not heard of this mascara – thanks for sharing it! I’ve been looking for a new/more affordable one.
Thanks for the great tips as always, Kat!
[…] I’m constantly working on looking more comfortable in front of the camera, and With Love from Kat shares 5 Ways to Look Your Best in Photos. […]
Great tips! Also, couldn’t help but notice you’ve changed your last name and noted Thomas as your husband in the bio ;)
Amazing tips, especially the nails and three coats of mascara!
Love these tips! I will definitely try the 3 coats of mascara!
Oh my word!! I am dying over these tips, I have to try the mascara tip- like tomorrow!! As for setting powder I’ve never tried but I will buy now that you’ve convinced me! As for lipstick, I never apply lipstick when getting ready for my photoshoot just because I love to play around with the app Perfect 365 to add lip colors!! Its the best way to add a lip color depending on the outfit without having to reapply during a shoot!! Happy Happy Holidays!! xx
You look stunning in these photos, and thanks for the tips – still learning here, haha!
xo,
Em @ https://bloomingmagnoliasblog.com
Definitely using these tips for my photoshoot coming soon!☺️
Just tried the mascara tip and my lashes look Great! Thanks for sharing.