Before you get in front of a camera, make sure your makeup is done. We’re not saying you don’t look great just the way you are! What we mean is that with any piece of media that’s going to be viewed repeatedly or stick around for eternity, you want to look your best when it comes to video. It’s good to literally put your best face forward, especially when you’re representing your business or product. Here are some of the reasons to consider on-camera makeup for your video.
What’s Good for the Goose…
On-camera makeup isn’t just for women. The fact is, cameras can accentuate and magnify skin imperfections. Makeup provides a uniform, clean look for everyone. For men, the focus is more on removing shine (especially on bald heads) and evening out skin tone. Women’s makeup typically goes a step further by emphasizing features and adding more colour.
The better our cameras get, the more important makeup becomes. When television changed over from standard definition to high definition in the late 2000s, not everybody was ready for their close-up. The new resolution made lines and wrinkles all the more noticeable, as well as the makeup meant to cover flaws. A more sheer kind of makeup was developed and used to address the changing technology. Now 4K, which uses four times as many pixels as HD, is increasingly the standard. The super realistic, sharp images provided by 4K work better with warmer makeup tones. When 8K becomes the new standard, makeup trends will likely need to adjust again.
Only Your Personality Should Shine
Matte is the desired look for on-camera makeup. This means the skin isn’t oily or shiny and has a smooth finish. Matte makeup is achieved with a combination of mattifying products such as specially-formulated foundation and powder. Many makeup artists start with a primer that allows makeup to go on smoother and last longer. Blotting papers can remove excess oil without affecting makeup. Although “dewy” skin is often equated with youth and vibrancy, the matte look is really best for on-camera makeup. There’s a fine line between dewy and oily, so it’s best to banish the glisten. Finally, avoid makeup with shimmer or glitter.
Lighting and On-Camera Makeup
Always apply on-camera makeup in the same light used for the shoot. For example, natural light versus studio light. Lights can wash out an already pale complexion. It’s one of the reasons you need makeup in the first place—to avoid disappearing. Makeup helps provide the definition that can compete with bright studio lights. And remember that warmer colours work better for video.
Consider the Video
An important consideration for on-camera makeup is the type of video being produced. When a CEO is addressing customers or employees, they want to look professional and polished. A music video may call for exaggerated or special effects makeup. If you’re promoting a new line of backpacks, your goal may be a no-makeup look—there’s a makeup for that! Ultimately, you should still look like you. Ideally, the version of you that’s appropriate for the situation.
Touch-Ups
Be sure to check on-camera makeup throughout a shoot. Bright, hot lights can increase sweat and oil production, leading to shine. Use powder and blotting papers to get rid of that greasy look. And pay attention to continuity. If makeup is losing its vibrancy over a long shoot day, touch-ups can ensure the first take looks like the last take. Sometimes a video is shot out of order, making a uniform look even more important.
PRO TIP: Once your talent is made up, dressed and ready to go, don’t forget to check them out in a color monitor before you start recording.
When to Use a Professional
It’s never a bad idea to use a makeup artist on a shoot. This professional’s job is to make you look your best and they’ll be watching for the things that need attention when the camera is on. You have enough to worry about during production, so why not let a pro worry about your on-camera makeup? When you book with Key West Video, we can include a makeup artist in our quote. Call us today to discuss your next project and we’ll make sure you look great on video.
