How to Choose the Right Makeup Shades for Photoshoots

Choosing makeup shades for a photoshoot requires an understanding of colour harmony, lighting, and personal style. Every choice impacts how your features appear on camera. Makeup By Dalia specialises in crafting looks that complement skin tones, enhance facial structure, and suit the overall vision of the shoot. The right shades ensure your images capture both beauty and precision, leaving a lasting impression in every frame.

Key Takeaways

• Lighting, undertones, and wardrobe should guide shade choices.
• Foundation must match both skin tone and undertone.
• Balance bold and soft features for harmonious results.
• Long-wear formulas ensure consistent colour in photos.

Why Shade Selection Matters in Photography

Cameras see colours differently from the human eye. A lipstick that looks vibrant in person may appear muted under studio lights. Similarly, a foundation mismatch can become obvious in high-resolution images. Professional shade selection considers not just skin tone, but also undertones, ambient lighting, and the intended photographic style.

When shades are chosen well, they:

• Accentuate facial features without overpowering them.
• Balance skin tones for a flawless finish on camera.
• Align with the creative direction of the photoshoot.

Choosing the right makeup shades for a photoshoot isn’t just about make-up trends,  it’s about knowing your skin colour, undertones, and how makeup interacts with lighting. And here in Australia, where natural light can be as harsh as it is beautiful, getting your makeup right is crucial. So, let’s break it down, from foundation to lips and make sure you’re camera-ready, no matter the occasion.

1. Know Your Undertone

Before you even pick up a brush, you need to figure out your undertone, that’s the subtle hue beneath the surface of your skin. In Australia’s diverse climate and multicultural population, we’ve got everything from cool-toned peaches to warm olive and golden complexions.

• Cool Undertones: Skin has hints of pink, red, or blue. Veins may look blue, and silver jewellery usually suits better.
• Warm Undertones: Skin leans yellow, golden or peachy. Veins might appear greenish, and gold jewellery pops more.
• Neutral Undertones: A mix of both, lucky you, you can usually wear a wider range of shades.

Why does this matter?: Because the wrong undertone in your foundation or concealer can make you look washed out, ashy, or too orange on camera. Get colour-matched properly, or test products in natural light (not just under the shop’s fluorescents).

2. Foundation: Match It Like a Pro

Photoshoots are not the time to experiment with that foundation two shades too light in the hopes of looking “brighter”. Trust us, flash photography will expose that trick in a second. Always aim for a true match to your skin tone and undertone.

Top tips:

• Avoid SPF-heavy foundations for studio or flash shoots can cause a white cast due to light reflection.
• Matte or satin finishes work best for photography. Dewy foundations can look oily under studio lights, while too much matte can flatten your features.
• Blend down your neck and ears. Mismatched skin in photos is a rookie mistake.

3. Concealer: Use Strategically

You want to brighten, not bleach. For under-eyes, go one shade lighter than your foundation, no more, no less. For blemishes or redness, use a concealer that’s an exact match.

If you’re dealing with dark circles, a peach or orange corrector underneath your concealer can cancel out blue or purple tones, particularly helpful for early morning shoots.

4. Contour and Highlight: Define, Don’t Distort

Cameras can flatten the face, so subtle contouring is your friend, especially in the cheekbones, jawline, and nose. Just be careful not to go full drag unless that’s the goal.

Choose a contour shade that’s a cool, taupey brown, nothing too orange or bronzy. Remember, you’re creating shadows, not a fake tan.

As for highlighter, skip the chunky glitter. Opt for a finely milled, champagne or soft gold shimmer, it’ll catch the light without looking sweaty or sparkly.

5. Eyeshadow: Stick to Neutrals With a Pop

Unless you’re doing a themed or editorial shoot, neutral eyeshadow tones work best. Think warm browns, soft taupes, peachy tones, and muted golds or a softly blended smoky eye look. These shades add depth and definition without overpowering your face.

Avoid:

• Frosty white or silver shadows can look dated and unflattering on camera.
• Too much shimmer on hooded or mature eyes can emphasise texture.

Want to make your eyes pop? A touch of shimmer in the inner corners or a smudged brown liner can do wonders.

6. Brows: Frame Your Face

Brows make or break a photo. Fill them in lightly to create definition, but steer clear of harsh lines or overly blocky shapes. Use a brow pencil or powder one shade lighter than your hair if you’re dark-haired, or one shade darker if you’re fair-haired.

Set everything with a clear or tinted brow gel to avoid any flyaway hairs. High-res photos pick up everything.

7. Lips: Bold or Nude, But Balanced

Your lip colour should suit your overall makeup look and, more importantly, your personality. For professional shoots or portraits, classic nudes, mauves, or soft pinks are timeless. Just be sure to pick a nude that doesn’t wash you out add a touch of warmth or pink if needed.

Going bold?: A red lip is stunning, especially against Aussie sun-kissed skin or minimalist eye makeup. Choose a shade that matches your undertone (cool = blue-red, warm = orange-red) and make sure you use a liner to prevent feathering.

Pro Tip: Matte or satin lipsticks photograph better than glossy ones, which can reflect too much light and appear patchy.

8. Setting It All in Place

A setting spray is your best mate. It locks in makeup and reduces the powdery finish that can show up under flash. For longer shoots, consider a hydrating spray to refresh the skin between shots.

Also, pack some blotting papers or translucent powder to touch up any shine, especially in the T-zone.

Conclusion

Choosing the right makeup shades for photoshoots is an art that blends colour theory, technical skill, and creative vision. At Makeup By Dalia, we tailor each look to your unique features, the setting, and the overall concept, ensuring your images are as striking as they are timeless. Contact us today to discuss your upcoming shoot and book a photography makeup session that brings your vision to life.

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