Photo filters, in a way, equalises many beauty standards. In a few swipes, everyone has smooth, radiant skin and pouty red lips. Between painstakingly applying natural makeup and downloading a beauty app, the latter’s appeal is apparent.
However, these preset templates come with cons, too. An analysis by the City University of London states that 90% of women between 18 and 30 use photo-editing software before uploading selfies. Their goals generally involved brightening skin, whitening teeth, and trimming a few centimetres off their bodies. Adding to this, the respondents also confess feeling pressured to look a certain way and show off a perfect life.
A study in Body Image Journal also reveals that the increased use of filters on social media leads to dissatisfaction and may even cause a disconnect between how you really look and what you put out there on the ‘gram. The swift effect of using a filter may just spur a long-term impact on your psychology. And no one wants that.
Instead, highlight your innate features without masking them completely. For starters, you can experiment with a natural makeup look that showcases your best assets and makes you feel confident. Finding a go-to makeup style takes time, so try the tips below. They’re your first steps towards your best, authentic selfies.
Makeup tips for effortless selfies
Properly applied natural makeup helps highlight your best features. Achieve the au naturale look with these quick tricks.
1. Exfoliate your lips often.
Chapped lips are painful and uncomfortable, plus they draw attention in photos. Ensure your selfies are always on point by moisturising your lips. Regularly exfoliate them while brushing your teeth. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to eliminate flaking and get the blood flowing. You can also use a lip scrub if that’s what you prefer. If you’re ready to take a picture, apply lip balm, then swipe on your favourite lipstick.
2. Pick bold, bright lip colours.
Vibrantly hued lipstick is a terrific way to take things up a notch. Bold and bright colours help your smile stand out, especially when your eyes are painted subtly (see Tip 5). Makeup artists suggest picking red lip stains with blue undertones for an instant brightening effect.
3. Highlight cupid’s bow.
Contouring doesn’t just sculpt cheekbones. An even layer of concealer can accentuate the curve of your lips for a fuller look. Add a touch of highlighter to your cupid’s bow and at the centre of your lower lip to help reflect light for a dazzling smile.
4. Downplay eye makeup.
Are you looking to show off your pearly whites? Keep the attention on your mouth and away from your eyes by sticking with subtle colours. Select natural eye makeup instead of a smokey eye to put those smackers front and centre.
5. Know your colour season.
Skin can have varying undertones. Knowing which tone or season you are in determines your best colour match. A seasonal palette is useful when picking everything from clothes to makeup. Wearing the right season boosts your overall look and keeps you from appearing washed out in photos.
6. Frame your face with some shimmer.
Never underestimate the power of sun-kissed-looking skin! Achieve natural glam makeup by using a taupe-toned bronzer. Use this to lightly contour your forehead, temples, nose, cheeks, chin, and neck. Besides bronzer, sweep pigmented highlighter for dazzling skin to match your megawatt grin.
7. A bit of blush goes a long way.
Rosy cheeks make you look fresh, healthy, and young. Add a little colour to the apples of your cheeks to give warmth to your face. For a sunburnt appearance, apply your favourite blush across your cheeks and nose. To execute this look, opt for makeup with a pink-red-orange hue. Pair with a soft lip, and you’ll look like an island goddess any time of the year.
8. Brush and floss.
A confident smile can go a long way and your smile is the focal point of most selfies. Unfortunately, no amount of hair and makeup can hide poor oral hygiene. Nothing ruins a photo faster than food stuck between your teeth. Before taking a picture, brush, floss, and swish some mouthwash. Peppermint and spearmint – common dentifrice ingredients – freshen breath, but they also reduce stress and improve mood, making your smile all the more natural.
Poses to help you get flawless selfies
Now that you’ve managed to nail the “natural glow”, it’s time to put it to use. Before you aim your phone camera at yourself, practice these poses.
Never doubt a classic.
You can’t go wrong with the traditional selfie pose – staring straight at the phone you hold up. This classic is a no-brainer because it’s the most flattering. Looking up defines your jaw and connects you with the viewer.
Conceal a part of your face.
Whether you’re playing it coy or hiding a blemish, a peekaboo pose is another fail-safe. Yes, it sounds strange. But you’d be surprised how standing behind leaves can produce a cute selfie you won’t be deleting. The trick to this pose is to highlight your visible parts – for example, your eyes. Take advantage of your camera’s burst function and pick the best from multiple images.
Take a group photo from below.
Natural lighting can help you take the best photos from this angle. Gather your friends in a huddle and set the camera on the floor. Use the timer to catch the shot. If you’re still self-conscious, use this shot to strike wacky poses.
Give your hands something to do.
Many people focus on capturing the best expression; they forget about the rest. You might not realise it, but the hands play a crucial role in body language, especially in static images. Knowing how to position them can change a photo from awkward to amazing. Some suggestions:
- Place your hands on your hips to create an hourglass figure.
- Want broad-looking shoulders and defined arm muscles? Cross your hands with the elbows for an instant flex.
- When placing your hands in your pockets, try to look relaxed. Avoid putting your entire hands in. Instead, have them partially inside, often with the thumbs visible.
- Try to be gentle when posing with hands touching any body part. The last thing you want is to have your hand squishing your cheek. Instead, rest your cheek lightly on your hand to create a casual pose.
Snap a selfie lying down.
One of the most popular and ultra-flattering poses is to take a photo from above while lying down. This pose shows you in a fun and relaxed mood. Don’t forget to fix your hair to make it appear cared for but natural. You can also create a flat-lay image by adding flowers or bows to your hair. For your makeup, natural-looking is best.
Turn away from the camera.
Remember, when you look into the camera, create a connection with the viewer. But when you turn away from it, you invite them to see your story. It’s also a quick hack for capturing candids with your cellphone timer and tripod.
Your smile goes a long way when you’re opting for a natural look. If overlapping or crooked teeth get in the way of your self-esteem, try ClearCorrect. These invisible aligners are as powerful as they are subtle thanks to the virtually invisible triple-layer ClearQuartz that gently but effectively sets your teeth straight. ClearCorrect’s groundbreaking features – including a flat, high, unscalloped trimline, elastic cutouts, and extended-beveled engagers – work together to give you a picture-perfect smile that can help bring out your natural beauty. Take this smile assessment now to see if you’re a candidate.
Consult a dentist for an ideal solution to achieve your uniquely confident smile. Complement your glowing face with natural makeup!
References:
90% of young women report using a filter or editing their photos before posting. (2021, March 21). ScienceDaily.
Tiggemann, M., Anderberg, I., & Brown, Z. (2020). Uploading your best self: Selfie editing and body dissatisfaction. Body Image, 33, 175–182.
