6 Skin Prep Tips for Glowy Photoshoot Skin

For that fresh dewy look it is all about the skin prep! Whether you are wearing a full face of glam or going natural, following these tips will make you glow! Before we get into the following tips I want you to start to…

Moisturize. Moisturize. Moisturize.
This is key to building a great foundation for your makeup to sit on. Make sure you are hydrating and drinking plenty of water in the weeks leading up to your photo session. 

Avoid high fat, salt, and greasy foods.

Try to stay out of direct sunlight if possible to avoid sunburn and dry skin.

FOR ACNE:
If you have pimples I LOVE using Mighty Patch. Start using them right when you see a pimple. They have patches for pimples that have already come to a head and those lingering under the skin. These patches pull all the gunk out and help heal pimples faster.

...but if you are tired here is what you can do to help!

1. Apply facial oil
2.  Start with a de-puffing eye massage. Watch this how-to video.
3. Follow up with cold compression. Whether you use an ice roller, gel mask fresh out of the freezer, or a simple bag of peas, cold compress reduces swelling.​

The day of your photoshoot.


Before you start your skin prep and makeup NOW would be the time to lose the bra, underwear, and hair tie from your wrist so any imprints will disappear prior to your shoot! Wear a loose button down shirt or robe while doing your skin prep and getting your makeup done.

Now onto the glow…

I wish I could take credit for this genius routine, but I learned my skin prep from Makeup By Kelli Anne. Ever since I started implementing her routine my skin texture has improved, fine lines have plumped out, and I am never dry. She has a great skin prep highlight on her Instagram that you can follow and she also teaches it in the Skin Prep by Type on her new education platform.

You can subscribe to her platform for only $12.99 per month and have access to the skin prep video and hundreds of others to create the perfect look for your photoshoot! No commitment necessary. Subscribe and cancel at any time. 

She teaches: it is all about the layers.

Instead of slapping on a highlighter at the end of your makeup routine it is all about the layers! Each one of these layers will shine through creating a dewy glowy look under your makeup.

HERE ARE THE 6 LAYERS TO CREATING GLOWY SKIN:

1. After you wash and dry your face, start with your base moisturizer. Any moisturizer will do but I love a good vitamin C deep moisturizer. Kelli Anne recommends either Skyn Iceland Nordic Renewal Pre & Probiotic Cream or First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Creme Hydration. Massage into skin, draining your lymphatic system. You will start to see your skin plump up. Remember to moisturize down your neck and chest.
2. Prep the Lips. Your lips are a great indicator if you are dehydrated or not. Dry lips cannot be easily photoshopped so MOISTURIZE and DRINK YOUR WATER! I love to first dry brush my lips using my toothbrush to get off any dead skin then slather on Laneige Sleep Lip Mask. You should be using a lip mask every night leading up to your shoot as well.
3. Use an illuminating eye cream. Moisturizing around the eyes greatly reduces concealer from creasing. I love First Aid Beauty Eye Duty Niacinamide Brightening Eye Cream. It has an illuminating shimmer that will reflect light and make your eyes appear brighter. Lightly rub under the eye area with your ring finger, creating a c shape up your temple and up to your brow bone.
4. If you want multidimensional glow use Weleda Skin Food. You can purchase off of Amazon or get it at your local Whole Foods. This is a THICK moisturizer. It serves 2 purposes. 1. Dry flaky skin and/or acne. 2. Extra glow. The trick is to rub a little between your fingers to melt it. Then pat onto temples and smooth around the eye area. Don’t forget dry patches and acne spots. ALSO USE THIS LOTION ON ELBOWS, KNEES, AND HEELS! I like to slather this on my hands and feet and sleep with gloves and socks on to lock in moisture the night before my shoot.
5. This step is optional. This is the step when you assess what else your skin may need and choose a primer accordingly to fix a problem. As a woman in her mid-thirties and mom of 2 kids I tend to look a little dull and can always use that oomph of brightness.  I love Becca First Light Priming Filter. It is a beautiful lilac color that gives your skin an extra radiance while smoothing out your skin tone. If you are super oily or just have an oily t-zone, try a mattifying primer like The Ordinary High Adherence Silicone Primer. This will also fill in those pores. If you are also extra dry even after using the Weleda Skin food you can put on an extra hydrating primer.
6. Next step, beauty oil! If you have oily skin or a lot of texture under your eyes I would skip this step. USE SPARINGLY! Rub a little on your ring finger and follow the same path as your eye cream, hydrating under the eyes and around the temples. This will prevent your concealer and setting powder from creasing. I love using Plaine Products Beauty Oil It is all natural and packaged sustainably. When you are empty simply ship back your container to be refilled! Use my code LKS20 to save 20%.
7. Now that you are starting to look like a beautiful glazed donut (thanks Kelli Anne!) finish up with Super Goop Glow Screen. Not only is it SPF 40 but it will give you a healthy dose of pearlescence and will create a totally dewy base layer for your look. Squeeze a thin line down each one of your fingers on one hand and run all over your face, neck, and chest. If you are feeling a little to glowy, trust the process! Allow your skin prep to soak into your skin.

Now it is time for your makeup! If you are doing your own makeup I HIGHLY recommend subscribing to Makeup by Kelli Anne. Only $12.99 per month. Subscribe and cancel at any time.

I do not get any sort of commission for referring her. I just learned A LOT from her to prepare for my own maternity photoshoot.

​If you are hiring a hair and makeup artist make sure to do the above skin prep before your hired makeup session.


Here is a list of professional hair and makeup referrals:


https://www.makeupbymichellelanh.com/
https://www.hellobrittanyatx.com/
https://www.meganlopezmakeup.com/
https://www.sharonmariemakeup.com/


WANT SOME ADDED GLAM?
I was HIT HARD by an Instagram Influencer with this brand of faux lashes, FlutterHabit. You apply them under the lash line and they will last up to 5 days! Give yourself plenty of time for first timer trial and error and apply them 1-2 days prior to your shoot. Make sure to check out their tutorial videos on their website and Instagram Stories, "Tips and Tricks" and "Application" for help! 
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Questions to consider when doing your makeup:


How is your skin? Oily, dry, or combo?


Does your foundation start to cake from dryness or do you get greasy fast?


Dewy or matte foundation?
Dewy foundation is better for natural light and matte foundation is better for a studio shoot.
These answers will help the makeup artist know the correct foundation to choose


Let your makeup artist know that your makeup is for a boudoir shoot. Since you most likely be showing more skin your neck and chest foundation should match to give an even and streamline look. Make sure to blend your foundation, bronzer, blush, and contour down the neck, across the collarbone, and behind the ears for even and natural coverage.


Do you normally contour your face?


Do you prefer a dark lip or lip gloss?


Do you like your eyes to pop?


Start light with the application and build on that.


How do you normally wear your hair? Do you curl toward or away from your face? Do you like a beachy wave? Do you prefer straight hair?


Where do you normally part your hair?