Makeup-Specific Questions

Q: What’s the difference between makeup designed for longevity versus makeup designed for editorial or specific shoot aesthetics?

My background is in bridal makeup artistry, so the majority of my clients are worried not only about makeup that lasts all day but also looks great on camera. The main difference for me is in the skin prepping and setting stages. For makeup that needs to last all day, we’ll take more time applying the right skin prep and setting techniques.

For makeup that just needs to look great for a short time, we can complete a quicker application. We can also get more creative in our technique and application methods since we’re probably not worried about your photoshoot hair and makeup being sweat-proof or kiss-proof!

Q: What are your favorite foundations for photoshoot makeup that last without caking or flashback?

I love the NARS Light Reflecting Foundation. It applies in beautiful thin layers while giving your skin such a luminous look—without flashback. The formula was developed with Photochromic Technology, which is a hybrid “photo-friendly” powder that adjusts complexion tone in response to the intensity of light. This means your skin never appears washed out! Not only that, but it has built in skincare aimed at improving skin clarity, reducing redness, and strengthening the skin’s barrier.

Q: Can you recommend the best waterproof mascaras and setting sprays for all-day wear during a session?

If you asked me before July 2025, I would have said you can’t go wrong with the iconic Urban Decay All Nighter Spray. Since their split with Skindinavia (who licensed the formula to Urban Decay) UD is now producing an in-house version of the iconic spray. So the jury is still out on that one. But the Skindinavia version is basically the exact same thing so I’d recommend that one. For mascara, you don’t need to break the bank! I love the Lash Princess False Lash Effect Waterproof Mascara, and it’s only $5.

Q: What tips do you have for creating a natural makeup look that still photographs well for headshots?

Go for an elevated version of your daytime workwear look. If you normally don’t wear eyeshadow, I recommend a neutral, matte eye with hues that contour and add dimension without feeling overpowering. I also recommend going with a smudged or smoked-out lash line if you’re not comfortable with liquid or gel eyeliner.

Hooded or smaller eyes can get away with no-liner looks or nude on the waterline to make eyes appear larger. If you want a touch of fun, a soft champagne shimmer (not glitter) in the inner corner can make the eye look fresher, more awake, and more open.

Q: Do you approach photoshoot makeup differently for in-studio lighting versus natural outdoor light?

In certain aspects, for sure! For example, a laminated brow can look AMAZING for an editorial-style in-studio photoshoot. On the other hand, your eyebrows could easily disappear if you try photographing this look outdoors in harsh lighting. Sunlight reflecting off a waxy brow gel can make it look like your brows are gone!

As a rule of thumb, you can almost always count on more makeup being needed in outdoor or direct-flash photography. Whenever the light is direct and strong, it removes roughly 25% of the makeup you’re wearing. So you need to overcompensate during application! If that scares you a bit, remember—the goal is for the makeup to photograph well on camera, not necessarily to wear naturally in person.

Q: Are there specific products or techniques you avoid when prepping someone for a professional camera?

I avoid SPF and certain translucent powders. Keep an eye out for ingredients like zinc, silica, and mica that are known to cause flashback. I really enjoy using more matte, cream-based products for in-studio shoots. They’re thicker, contour beautifully, photograph well, and you don’t have to wear them all day.

I also avoid an all-day lip stain unless you’re confident that’s the color you want to wear for every look. Alternatively, it’s fun to switch up your lip color or try a gloss to add a little variety. Plus, gloss is so easy to touch up when you’re not worried about wind or weather interfering with your look.

Q: Can you share a few tips for achieving that clean, quiet luxury makeup vibe we’re seeing in editorial shoots?

Nude-y tones that complement your natural hair and skin color are the way to go. I love using the Mario Master Mattes eyeshadow palettes (there are two versions for warm and cool-toned nudes). Keeping the lashes bold but still natural is key. If you’re wearing falsies, I’d opt for individual lashes rather than a strip. A tasteful half-winged liner is super chic and trendy right now (and honestly pretty timeless).

Q: How do you recommend filling in brows for photos to avoid looking too harsh or washed out?

Like I mentioned earlier, you can get away with a more laminated brow look in controlled lighting. Overall, I recommend filling your brows with a pencil or powder to get into all the small gaps that are invisible to the naked eye but absolutely visible to a camera. The Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz is one of my favorites. Opt for a color as close to your natural brow as possible or a half shade lighter. Anything darker could come off as too harsh.

Q: What are your thoughts on shimmer, highlight, or contour in photoshoots—when is it too much?

In my opinion, contour crosses the line into “too much” whenever you can visibly see harsh edges. You can get away with a decent amount of contour as long as products are blended seamlessly (especially along the jawline, nose, and neck). The same goes for shimmer, highlight, and blush. Anytime you can see patches that don’t blend with the rest of the look, the camera will pick up on it.

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Hair-Focused Questions

Q: What are the best hair products for volume and hold that also photograph well?

Typically, I love a spray like the Kenra Dry Volume Burst if your hair type can hold it. If you have finer hair, I recommend a root-lifting and holding powder like Puff Me. Just be careful with too much powder at the root if you have darker hair—it can start to look mousy in photos.

Q: Are there certain hairstyles you recommend avoiding in photos because they don’t translate well on camera?

If you have a very blunt haircut or ultra-fine, limp, or flat hair, I wouldn’t recommend upstyles with pieces hanging in your face (unless your bangs are specifically cut and styled that way). Any loose pieces without shape or body tend to look stringy.

I would also avoid any style in general that doesn’t complement your face shape or hair texture. Here are some suggestions based on common hair types:

• Medium to thick, naturally curly or wavy hair – Looks great worn down or in a fun upstyle that works with your natural texture.
• Medium to thick, naturally straight hair – Looks beautiful in a sleek low bun, high ponytail, French twist, or styled in full-bodied curls or waves.
• Fine/thin, naturally straight hair – Looks best with added texture and body through curling and volumizing products.

The best tip for my thin-hair girlies, and in general, is getting the right face-flattering haircut!

Q: Any favorite tools or products for frizz control—especially for outdoor shoots?

Frizz control starts with hair prep: using a hydrating shampoo and following up with a quality deep conditioner helps strengthen the hair and improve moisture retention. Then, while hair is damp (not fully dry), apply a suitable styling product (cream, leave‑in, serum) to help seal in moisture and shield strands from absorbing humidity throughout the day.

During styling, I love using a frizz-taming cream like the Schwarzkopf Tame Wild (sadly discontinued), but there are some similar options out there like the Moroccan Oil Smoothing cream or Bed Head After Party.

Q: What’s your advice for clients who want a soft wave or “undone” texture that still looks polished in images?

A beach-wave style curl with some volumizing spray works in a pinch! I love having clients flip their hair over a few times while we add root lifter or volume spray. It’s a quick hack that gives so much body—just enough to complete your session.

Adding a little strategic teasing at the root is always helpful too! Just try not to overdo it or risk undoing all the frizz taming you’ve worked so hard on!

Q: Do you have a few go-to updos or ponytail styles that work for both headshots and lifestyle shots?

A fun hairstyle I’ve been loving lately is a modern French twist. It elevates your updo beyond a simple bun and looks so chic from every angle!

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Photoshoot Hair And Makeup Prep + Multi-Look Sessions

Q: How should someone prep their hair and skin the night before or morning of a photoshoot?

My general rule is:

• Night before: Exfoliate your skin
• Morning of: Wash and blow-dry your hair

On the day of, make sure your face is washed with a gentle, hydrating cleanser. I like to prep all my clients’ skincare right before makeup so I know exactly which products are layered together.

Q: Do you recommend clients arrive with clean hair, day-old hair, or prepped in a certain way?

There’s a popular myth that second-day hair is always best. Coming from someone with extremely dry, curly hair—that is definitely not true for me. Even though everyone is different, I still stand by the idea that 9 times out of 10, clean hair is my favorite starting point.

If you’re working with an experienced hairstylist, we’ll know exactly what tools and products to use to create texture, body, and movement. The last thing we want is a tangled mess of knots and dry shampoo. Trust me—it will take 10x longer to style, and the outcome won’t match your inspo!

Q: What are your tips for transitioning from one look to another during a session (e.g. bold lip to neutral, sleek bun to loose waves)?

My biggest tip is to plan out which photoshoot hair and makeup looks you want paired with each outfit change—and work from less to more. Start with your hair down and your most neutral makeup look. Then put your hair up and get a few more shots. Build on your makeup (maybe a bolder eye or lip). Switch to a third hairstyle if you want, and grab a few more shots. Then finish with your most dramatic makeup look.

Laying out your hair, makeup, and outfits this way ensures you capture the shots you want with the most variety. This definitely takes some coordination so plan ahead!

Q: Are there any must-have items a client should bring with them?

Your hair and makeup artist should have everything you need, but it never hurts to bring your personal brow pencil and favorite lip color.

Brows and lips are by far the most personal parts of any makeup look—and the areas that take the most getting used to when someone else is doing them.

A lip color of some sort (even if it’s just a tinted chapstick!) is essential for keeping lips moisturized and adding some much needed color contrast on your lips.

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Client Concerns + Booking Advice

Q: For someone who’s nervous about hiring a pro MUA, what is the biggest benefit of having your photoshoot hair and makeup professionally done?

Having your hair and makeup professionally done takes one more thing off your to-do list before a photoshoot. Plus, someone with a trained eye can highlight your features in a way you may not have the skillset to—and can apply the right products for whatever lighting or weather scenario you’re in.

Q: How do you help clients choose a makeup and hair look that aligns with their personal brand or industry?

I ask a ton of questions! The first thing we’ll talk about when you sit in my chair is your comfort level with makeup, how often you wear it, and what makeup looks feel the most “you.” Then we’ll talk about the message you want your branding photos to communicate. Are you going for bold and polished? Or soft and neutral?

No matter what, I’ll offer suggestions based on what complements your face and eye shape, outfit selections, and overall color palette so we can craft the perfect look.

Q: What’s your booking process for clients looking for hair and makeup for a photoshoot?

If you’re already working with Sara for photos and want professional hair and makeup, she will loop in one of her amazing artist partners based on availability! If I’m available for your date, Sara will communicate your vision and questions to me before the photoshoot and I’ll come prepared with everything we need to create your perfect photoshoot hair and makeup look!

Q: Are there affordable hair and makeup options for clients who want the pro touch without going over budget?

Book a photographer who includes hair and makeup in their photoshoot package! This is one of the reasons I love working with Sara. It’s one of the most cost-effective ways to give clients the full experience—a hair and makeup artist who’s experienced with on-camera styling and can be there to make tweaks or modifications as you see the finished results in real time.

Have more questions or want to explore what a full-service branding photo session could look like for you? I’d love to chat. You can reach out through my contact form here, and I’ll take care of the rest!