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Cutie pa-tootie, Michelle from California contacted me about doing her own makeup for engagement photos. Michelle has a good grasp of makeup and just needed a little tune up!

Lo,

I have my engagement pictures this weekend and am doing my own make up for ease on the budget. Do you have any tips for makeup when it comes to photography. I don't want to look overdone, but not without makeup either.

On a daily basis I wear:

• Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer (Almond )
• Laura Mercier Creme Eye Base in a neutral color and top it with Bobby Brown Shimmer Brick
• Laura Mercier Golden Mosaic shimmer block under the cheek bones as a bronzer and M.A.C. Peachykeen blush
• Mascara- black (I always feels like mascara ends up under my eyes though)
• M.A.C. Fluidline eyeliner - Glitz and Blitz
• Chapstick on the lips or Bare Escentuals Buxom Lips in Amber

When I go out it is pretty much the same products but I use Laura Mercier pressed powder over the moisturizer. I do similar things with the eye shadow just a bit darker with usually a brown or this dark gray color from M.A.C. I have. Sometimes for a base I'll start with M.A.C. vanilla eye cover, which is similar to Shroom. I use a black liquid liner across the top of the eye and the M.AC. Fluidline on the bottom. I'll usually use a neutral lip liner and one of my glosses like Amber. I'd like to find a lipstick because Mark (my fiance) doesn't like it when my lips are “sticky.”

I was planning on doing some makeup shopping so if you have specific product recommendations I'd love that. Specifically a good concealer and natural looking/matte lip color I really need.

As for the look I'm going for, I think I want a soft and romantic look with a sort of happy glow. I want to look I have makeup on versus nothing, but not for it to be overpowering. We aren't going to be dressed formally and a lot of the pictures will be on the beach. Maybe a subtle and smokey eye with a more natural colored lip?

Michelle,

You are a beautiful woman and I think that with a few changes in your makeup routine we can easily make you even more photogenic! If you think of your makeup like your wardrobe, then I would say you have all of the classics. Now, we just fine tune with the proper accessories and I'll show you how to dress up your look!

1. I love tinted moisturizer, but it disappears quickly. I recommend buying the Laura Mercier oil-free foundation (unless you have dry skin) which will give you light coverage and will last longer. It can be more economical as well, because you have the option to simply mix it with an inexpensive face moisturizer. Voila, you have made your own tinted moisturizer and have the option for more coverage if you like. Always, set with a loose powder, (I love Laura Mercier's translucent loose powder) this will add longevity, fight shine and create an even canvas for blush and bronzer.
2. Please no shimmer under your cheekbone. It is a highlight and works best on your cheekbone. Please watch my shimmer video! Bronzer can be used on and under your cheekbones for contour and warmth then add a “pop” color of blush on the apples of your cheeks.
3. Peachykeen blush is a great blush that you can apply on and under your cheekbones, but I suggest that you also add a bright “pop” color on your apples. A peachy pink blush (Bobbi Brown Nectar) would be perfect for you. Don't do a pop color if you blush easily or turn red due to rosacea.
4. I prefer crème shimmers better than powder for the cheek. I use Nars Multiple Stick in Orgasm on everyone.
5. Laura Mercier and Bobbi Brown make great creamy under eye concealers. I apply this after eye makeup to avoid having to clean up shadow that has fallen.
6. M.A.C. Fluidline liner and Shroom shadow are great for you. I would add M.A.C. Nehru to your “wardrobe”. I can tell that you like to wear blue and this is a great contrast to your blue eyes. You can wet Nehru and use it as eyeliner and then smudge it up for a smoky look. To “dress up” your look just do a slightly thicker line and you can use a M.A.C. eye shadow like Print, Shale, or Sumptuous Olive to smudge into the liner for a smoky look. You don't have to do a full out smoky eye – that can be difficult. Just smoke up the liner and blend, blend, blend into your shadow! The bottom line should never be darker or more prominent than the eyeliner on top of your lid. The focus should be drawn to the top of your eye, not the bottom.
7. Use waterproof mascara. M.A.C.'s is good and I also really like Maybelline Define-a-Lash in black.
8. M.A.C. lipstick in Twig could be a great neutral color for you and you can top with a little bit of sheer gloss in the center of your lip for a little moisture. I recommend this for outside photos as wind blows hair into gloss.
9. To avoid the eye shadow creasing I recommend eye shadow primers (which you are already using) and then apply a neutral shadow color on top of it to set it. Shroom is good, but it is also great to have something without shimmer. For more longevity use a matte shadow first then add shimmer shadow like the shimmer brick as a final touch on top. Shimmer bricks are very light and sheer and won't last as long as other shadows.
10. Makeup does fade with time, but the best way to slow the process is to build a look using light layers. Whether on your eyes, face or lips remember the following steps: prime, add neutral color, add desired color, and add shimmer if desired.

Makeup for the camera:

1. Apply more coverage for your skin, especially under your eyes and any pink or uneven areas. Carry a powder compact and powder your t-zone as you get shiny.
2. Apply heavier blush which will add dimension and much needed color when shooting with a flash
3. Apply thicker eyeliner. Leave it as a clean line or smudge the line out for a smoky look.
4. Fill in eyebrows to accentuate the shape.

Good luck and let me know how it goes!!

xoxo,
Lo