Makeup Tips for Engagement Photos

Getting engagement photos professionally done are one of the most important things on your to do list right now since getting engaged.  It time stamps how you and your fiance looked at this memorable time.  And likely you will use these photos for your "save the date", at your wedding, and you will be hanging this in your home that you have built together.  So it is equally as important to look your best.  If you can't hire a makeup artist, here are some tips that you can do on your own. 

1. Get your eyebrows waxed!  Uni brows and thin brows are out.  Natural and groomed brows are in. The eyebrows are the frame for you eyes.  Big bushy eyebrows take away from your eyes, which is the single most important thing to stand out in your pictures.  Besides the obvious, your love:)  If your brows are too thin, of course skip this step.  But you will want to work on getting them thicker.  To grow them out, stop plucking and waxing immediately.  I like to use Latisse or some kind of lash grower on the brow area only.  It's effective and it works!  However, this may take a few months to do for the hair cycle.

2. Don't wax no earlier then a week before your scheduled photo shoot.  Sometimes you can have a reaction to the wax.  You certainly don't want to find this out as you have your wax the day before. 

3. Start using a daily scrub to buff out dull and lifeless skin.  I personally love Aveeno Daily Scrub $6 found at drug stores everywhere.  It's cheap, and works really well. 

4. Hydrate your skin inside and out.  This means 8-10 glasses of water daily and moisturizing with a good moisturizer day and night.  Use the type of moisturizer that is meant for your skin type.  Oily skin should use a water based oil free moisturizer.  And dry skin should use a thicker and richer type of moisturizer meant for dry skin. 

5. Don't skip on the eye gel!  Time and time again I get a bride with very dry skin around the eyes.  It is so dry that the moisturizers I use just soak in so fast and it begs for more.  I'm serious, the skin tells me that:)  Opt for an eye gel over an eye lotion.  Gels absorb better in the skin and won't clog the pores in this very delicate area. 

6. Makeup Tips!  Go for a natural look.  Just be your best self.  Attempting an over the top look will just look ridiculous.  Since you will be on camera you could afford to go slightly more dramatic since the camera won't pick up all the detail.  Check out my post here on the best eye shadows for you eye color here for tips on your best colors. Pairing these shades with complimentary blush and lip color will leave you looking picture perfect.  If you want a bit more drama, you can choose to wear a pair of false eyelashes.  Just be sure to get them so they are not too long or thick.  Think naturally beautiful here.  A pair of demi lashes is a good choice and are easy to get on.  Demi lashes are "half" lashes that are not a full lash and are just added to outer part of the lashes to add flair.  Check out this video for how to apply false lashes. 

7. Wear a good foundation.  I personally love liquid foundations.  You get great coverage and if you pick the right color for you it will disappear into the skin like a lotion.  Make Up Forever HD Foundation is my all time favorite.  It's spendy, but the finish is absolutely beautiful and meant for High Definition cameras.  To match your perfect color test it on your collarbone, not your face.  Often our faces won't tan, or there is less pigment.  You want your face to blend with your body. 

To get the look in the photos above- I used on Olesha Taupless by MAC all over the lid and lightly on the brow bone.  Haux by MAC in the crease.  Lips are a light plumy pink lip gloss and I used Dame blush by MAC on the cheeks.  L'Oreal Voluminous mascara in black and MAC Raven Eye Kohl.  Super easy and very chic. 

Models: Mike and Olesha (such a gorgeous couple!)
Photographer: Warren Hearl with http://www.imagigraphics.smugmug.com/
Hair: Stacey Barton with http://www.looksharpsalon.com/
Makeup: Michelle Kinkaid http://www.michellekinkaidmakeup.com/
Location: McKinnley Park, Sacramento Ca.

Check out my PRO Makeup Artist site here!