Make up for castings
FACE: Try a tinted Moisturizer or light foundation to even out the skin but let your natural color and any freckles show through. Put concealer on any blemishes and under the eyes. Set with a little bit of powder if it’s going to be a long day.
CHEEKS: Choose a blush color that best resembles your natural flush. If you’re unsure, peachy colours, like Nars Orgasm, are pretty universal. Just a touch on the apples of your cheeks should be plenty. Step back to see if the intensity is right.
EYES: A single un-clumpy coat of mascara will do a great job of looking natural but bringing in the right amount of attention.
BROWS: Just run some clear mascara through your hairs so they’re pointing in the right direction. If you have any obvious gaps, lightly fill them in and brush it out again.
LIPS: Similarly to your blush, choose a lip color that reflects your natural shade. Or just go for a balm. The ideal combination is a tinted balm. Clarins Lip Balm Crayons are the perfect medium. My go-to is in shade Creamy Pink.
Common model makeup MISTAKES that are all too familiar, and painfully jarring when a big part of your job is to be a blank canvas:
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Don’t assume that you can cover up your skin problems with makeup. While it’s normal to have blemishes, you have to treat your skin as your #1 beauty tool. Keep products off your face whenever you can.
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Stop smoking. I can almost always tell when a model smokes, so don’t assume you’re getting away with it. For the sake of your career’s longevity, seriously consider kicking the habit. It’ll be the best thing you ever did for your health and your skin.
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Use a tinted moisturizer. Save the thick foundations for the professionals. A tinted moisturizer is plenty and will look healthier and more radiant.
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Don’t forget to exfoliate. I see a lot of young boys and girls starting out who seem to have a rough layer of dry skin just sitting on top of their faces. What’s up with that? Try using a pinch of baking soda with your cleanser once a week. Massage gently to slough off the excess so your skin can get glowing OR try this out.
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Easy on the falsies, Kim Kardashian. In your career you’ll have plenty of time for fake eyelashes, hair extensions, and dramatic makeup. Let directors see you as you are, not as an image you’re trying to project.
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Leave your hair alone, and stop fighting your hair’s natural texture. A good hair stylist can completely transform your hair on set so save it from the extra damage when you’re not shooting and opt for a natural look. Who knows, a casting director might fall in love with your look because you have quirky tresses. Usually, a simple low ponytail (middle part for extra chicness) is the perfect casting hairstyle. Try to use special hair elastics that won’t leave a crease in your hair.
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Save the experimenting for weekends. Just as you wouldn’t test out the sheerness of a blouse at a job interview, don’t test out any newly-honed beauty skills at a casting. Under all those lights and lenses, it probably won’t look as flawless as it does in your bathroom mirror. I’m looking at you, contour experts.
