It’s time to break down the best makeup for wearing on camera.

If you’ve got your heart set on a career in front of the camera, it’s important to know that there are certain things you need to be aware of when it comes to your appearance and how it will appear on camera. If you’re going in front of the camera, no matter what type of work you’re doing (commercials, movies, etc.), here are some basic tips that will help you get started:

1. Make sure your foundation is smooth and even. You want to avoid any streaks or blotches in the makeup. Make sure that everything is blended well and looks natural— no fake looking blush or contouring!
2. Use a light hand when applying eyeliner, mascara, and lipstick so that they don’t look too heavy or dramatic on camera. For example: if you usually wear black eyeliner every day but want to wear blue for an audition/job opportunity, try using blue eye shadow instead of black eyeliner because this will give your eyes more depth than if they were completely covered up with black liner alone (this is true for any color: purple eye shadow instead of purple eyeliner

Best Makeup To Wear On Camera

How to Apply Camera-Friendly Makeup for Men and Women

Movie makeup ranges from simple applications to incredibly complex monster looks. In this roundup, learn how to apply the “No Makeup” makeup technique.

Film unions classify movie makeup artists based on the area of the actor’s body needing makeup. A makeup artist applies cosmetics from the top of a persons head to the top of their breastbone. A body makeup artist applies makeup to any other area of an actor’s body.

In this article we will be focusing on a makeup artist’s “No Makeup” makeup, specifically applying makeup that does not look like a person is wearing makeup.

Makeup application is a key part of filmmaking. Sure, makeup can make you look more attractive, but it’s really used to correct the distortions caused by the camera lens and lights.

Cameras can accentuate wrinkles, affect skin tone, and magnify skin flaws like scars and acne. Makeup is used to bring out natural features and cover up an blemishes.

The lights and camera will wash out your natural skin tone, so you need makeup to bring your skin back to life and keep you from looking like a ghost. Warm colors are best for video. Cooler colors are overly exaggerated on camera. Be sure to use matte and neutral hues. Also, avoid high-shine that is commonly found in blushes, lip glosses, and eye shadow.

Make Up Tips for Men

Men at least require powdered makeup, especially if they are bald. Bald heads reflect lights, so powdered makeup is needed all over their head to prevent light from bouncing off of them. The oil produced by pores shines on camera, and a small amount of powder can significantly reduce that.

The key for men is evening out skin tone, covering blemishes, and eliminating any shine or reflection.

Check out this video from NYX Professional Makeup, where they show how to properly groom a male subject before applying makeup. Then you will see the proper steps to making them look great on camera.

Makeup Tips for Women

One of the most desired looks for women, on and off camera, is the No Makeup makeup look. It’s a very natural look that accentuates features without looking overly colorful or made up. In this tutorial from Sephora, you will learn the step-by-step process of creating the “No Makeup” makeup look.

In this tutorial from Gregory Arlt, the Director of Makeup Artistry for MAC Cosmetics, you can learn a simple and quick technique to help achieve flawless skin.

In this video, Gregory Arlt shows you how to correctly apply lipstick with a brush. Start in the center of the lip and then blend it in. It creates a very simple stained look. Be sure to apply a bit more to the center of the lip, which will lightly soften the edges to blend in with the skin.

When it comes to eyeliner, lay the brush flat, right above the eyelid and bring it straight across. By laying the brush flat, you will achieve a straight line every time.

For eyebrows, first take the brow pencil and brush them into place. Use a pencil that’s a shade lighter than your subject’s brow color to help define the brow, rather than darkening it. Hold the pencil to the side and feather the brow. Then use an angle brush to distribute the color. Finally, use the brow pencil once again to brush the brows.

How to Do Camera-Ready Makeup, According to the Pros

Whether you’re prepping for a wedding, red carpet, or just a night out with your friends who really love taking pictures—it goes beyond a good matte powder or setting spray, according to the pros. We tapped professional makeup artists to get their best tips for making sure makeup is camera-ready, because they know a thing or two about photo shoots, of course—always. Get their tricks for instantly Instagram-ready makeup—no FaceTune necessary—below.

Moisturized Skin Is a Must

Embryolisse Lait Crème Concentré Daily Face & Body Cream $29.00

We’ll be the first to tell you here at Byrdie that good makeup starts with good skincare. And it should go without saying, but we’ll say it anyway: You should always make sure your skin is moisturized, year-round, 24 hours a day and seven days a week. But it’s extra important to have a moisturized base if you want your makeup to last—and look good on camera.

“Well-prepped skin with a good moisturizer will ensure your face is set for long-lasting makeup,” professional makeup artist Apollo Barragan tells Byrdie. He says Embryolisse is his absolute go-to for his clients before he gets started on the makeup portion.

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Start by Priming Your Face

Make Up For Ever Step 1 Primer Color & Redness Corrector $37.00

After your skincare routine, the next thing you need is a great primer.

“I’m always working on brides and bridal parties as well as random photo shoots for things, so I always need my clients to be camera-ready,” wedding and event makeup artist Lucas Dean tells Byrdie. Dean’s secret sauce actually involves mixing two primers together for a magical, all-in-one concoction—Makeup Forever’s Step 1 Primer Color & Redness Corrector and First Aid Beauty’s Coconut Skin Smoothie Priming Moisturizer.

By mixing the two, he says, you’ll get a redness-reducing, color-correcting, and ultra-hydrating mixture that’s the perfect base for camera-ready makeup. Sign us up.

First Aid Beauty Hello Fab Coconut Skin Smoothie Priming Moisturizer $16.00

The Perfect Setting Powder Is Essential

Kett Cosmetics Fixx Powder Foundation Compact $34.00

Of course, a shiny forehead in photos is unavoidable sometimes. (To sweat is human, as they say.) But a great setting powder will go a long way in reducing any shininess that can—unfortunately—be exacerbated and highlighted by a camera’s flash.

“You just need a light amount of a great foundation powder,” Dean says. “When used lightly, it sets the skin but also adds that second little layer of coverage for longevity.” He recommends a satin-to-matte foundation powder for a natural-looking final product—Kett Cosmetics’ Fixx Powder Foundation Compact, to be exact. “It’s not too matte or drying, and has a gorgeous natural satin finish.”

It’s also important to note that certain powders can cause flashback, aka a white cast or glow that can appear in photos, caused by light-reflecting makeup or skincare. Matte, lightweight formulas are great for avoiding flashback—as opposed to dewy, heavier formulas—and so is picking the right color. (In other words, don’t settle for a powder that’s a shade or two too light, because it will show in photos. It’s worth it to find your perfect match.)

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Finish With a Great Setting Spray

Make Up For Ever Mist & Fix Hydrating Setting Spray $29.00

In case you haven’t heard by now: As a makeup wearer, a good setting spray should be your best friend. Nothing will lock in your makeup longer for all-night wear, even through blinding camera flashes.

“My tip with applying setting spray is actually spraying it on a foundation brush, and then moving it gently over the skin,” Dean says. “It really sets everything and locks it in.” (And here I’ve been, just spraying it directly onto my face.)

He recommends Make Up For Ever’s Mist & Fix Hydrating Setting Spray to get your final look locked, loaded, and ready for action.

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Take a Picture With Flash Before Heading Out the Door

This one’s easy: Before you hit the red carpet (or your party with Instagram-story enthusiasts), test things out by taking a photo with flash. If you notice you used too much powder, simply sweep it off—or if you realize you need a little more, well, get that brush goin’.

Also, keep in mind that the camera flash can wash you out—so it might be a good idea to apply a little more here and there than usual to make sure you look as healthy and flushed as you do IRL. “A little extra bronzer, blush, or both definitely won’t hurt,” Barragan says.