People wear makeup for various reasons, with most of us wanting to feel and look good, especially in photos. One should keep in mind that some mistakes in makeup application are noticeable on camera. That includes the unnatural gloss of oily skin or even mismatched concealers apparent for their lighter or darker shade. What can help, then, is knowing what the photo-friendliest foundations are.

So what can you do to make sure that the next photo-op shows only the good side of you? Other than taking a few test photos, a luxury that not everyone has, make sure to avoid boo-boos that even celebrities have been caught doing. Case in point: How many photos have we seen of people with white powder all over their faces, seen through heavy flash?

There’s even a term for it: “flash-back”, which refers to photographed people appearing ghostly white, gray, or generally worse in photos. Read on to know more about which types of foundations to consider to avoid making the same mistake.

Powder-Based Foundation

Using this type of foundation is a must, especially if you anticipate a photo or two and you happen to have oily skin. It not only helps to keep your face matte, but the glow from your face’s natural oils could make you look even more youthful in photos.

Having a trusty powder-based foundation can help prevent reflections, especially when photographers use flash. There are even makeup techniques that go well with powder-based foundations. Most of them were designed to avoid flash-backs, such as baking.

According to PopSugar, it is a technique that uses an eye concealer layered with a pressed powder to serve as the foundation that hides dark under-eyes.

Matte Foundation

If you have oily or acne-prone skin, another type of foundation that’s great for photography is matte foundations or even satin-matte ones. This type helps conceal noticeable pores and gives good coverage for the face without appearing too heavy or cakey.

As makeup enthusiasts claim, matte foundations can even out your skin tone while keeping shiny features to a bare minimum. Light does not bounce off of a matte foundation, too. Remember this so that the camera flash won't be an enemy but instead will serve as a friend for your great smile and photo finish.

Any Foundation Without High Amounts of Sunscreen

Avoid types of foundation that contain high amounts of zinc oxide or titanium oxide, which are typical sunscreen ingredients, during a photo shoot. It is said that foundations of this type are major culprits of flash-back photography.

That’s because titanium dioxide is known to be a reflective pigment. Also, a camera flash on your face donning this type of foundation can change your dewy look into a ghostly one should that white light reflect on your photos.

Foundation With Special Formulations (No Sebum, No Color, Silica-Free)

Another great option to prevent those white markings caught on-screen is considering specially formulated products.

Fun Fact: Many foundations contain silica, an ingredient known to diffuse light, making it infamous for causing white patches on one's face. Instead, consider colorless foundations and finishing powders.

These make them a good choice for not affecting your makeup’s shade or tone. There are also "no-sebum" products that help in this regard.

High-Definition (HD) Foundations

Lastly, there are types of foundation especially formulated for high camera resolutions. They are known to be HD types because they help create a "skin-like" finish.

They are less likely to oxide and will significantly help minimize blemishes on the face through the high coverage they offer. They also have ingredients like hyaluronic acid, an ingredient known as a good moisturizer.

As such, these types of foundations help your skin keep hydrated the entire day. You can say goodbye to makeup settling into wrinkles or fine lines.

Being Truly Photo-Ready Through the Right Foundation

Indeed, there are products specially formulated for photo sessions. Knowing what they are will come in handy for those special Instagram-worthy moments.

Apart from choosing the best types of foundations good for film or photography, there are other things that you can also do. Looking at the camera just above or at eye level, for instance, is a practice that a lot of us tend to forget while being in the moment.

Avoiding direct light is also an option, especially if the photographers cannot always control the lighting. Finally, Forbes also reiterates hiring an experienced photographer, especially for professional portraits.

Moreover, even after finding the perfect foundation fit for you, other adjustments must be made. Switch up foundation shades according to the current season and weather. Apply it the right way and blend it well enough using the right tools to ensure your makeup products are evenly distributed.

We are confident that you’ll be properly armed for your next photography session with this knowledge. Don’t forget to smile!

References:

https://dailyvanity.sg/beauty-tips/makeup-for-good-photos

https://www.enspirebeauty.com/how-to-prevent-flashback-in-photos/

https://labmuffin.com/why-make-up-flashback-happens-and-how-to-avoid-it/

https://www.lorealparisusa.com/beauty-magazine/makeup/makeup-looks/prevent-makeup-flashback.aspx

https://medium.com/@23mailboxx/how-to-prevent-makeup-flashback-a497e53e57e3

https://medium.com/@Uhapibeauty/5-best-of-the-best-photo-friendly-foundations-798b4b3a0230

https://me.popsugar.com/beauty/What-Under-Eye-Baking-42423910

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/4099798?ref=topbar

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-one-foundation-mistak_b_8351552

https://www.newbeauty.com/makeup-mistakes-that-look-bad-in-photos/

https://me.popsugar.com/beauty/What-Under-Eye-Baking-42423910

https://www.forbes.com/sites/work-in-progress/2010/09/16/professional-women-need-a-professional-portrait/?sh=58a63a9c11c6