Want to take a few selfies on your wedding day? Here’s what you need to know to make them as perfect as your big day…
1. Push Your Face Forward
Elongate your neck and push your face forward ever so slightly. It may feel a little ridiculous, but it makes your face look thinner and disguises any sign of a double chin. Tipping your chin down just a bit also defines your jawline and gives your face a more angular look.
2. Don’t Hide Behind Your Hair
Tucking your hair behind your ears makes your cheekbones look more lifted. At least do one ear to open up your face.
3. Work Your Angles
Unless you’ve got supermodel features, facing the camera straight-on is rarely flattering. Turn your head slightly to show off your better side. A three-quarters position gives your features more depth. And remember a photo shot from above is far more flattering than one shot from below.
4. Opt for Shine Over Hold
Fluid hairstyles photograph better than structured ones. Stay away from slicked-back styles and anything too coiffed. Make volume and shine priorities. Get your hold from the styling products you use while your hair is wet, and choose light-hold hairspray, so your hair doesn’t end up looking crunchy. But remember flash can pick up flyaways, so be sure to smooth those with a bit of styling cream.
5. Find the Light
We all know natural light is the best for photos, but that’s typically not an option at holiday parties. The next best thing is soft, indirect lighting. Avoid standing directly under a light source. It will cast shadows where you do not want them (read: under-eye circles) and make your hair color appear flat. Also, avoid standing directly in front of strong lighting.
6. The Perfect Foundation Is Key
If you can avoid it, don’t go crazy with the foundation. Light-coverage foundation and a good cream concealer will get the job done, but a face masked in foundation will look flat in photos. And be sure you’ve got the right shade, because when flash makes a too-pale foundation look even pastier. Even if your foundation game is on-point, don’t rely on a flawless complexion to carry your look. Without blush and a highlighter or some contouring, your face can look two-dimensional and washed out in photos. Another thing to remember? A little lip colour will help. Try to skip nudes, which can look ashy, and avoid dark matte colours, which tend to have an aging and lip-shrinking effect.
7. Smile Softly
No need to say “cheese,” but trying saying “money” instead. The hard “e” sound lifts the corners of your mouth up without looking forced. Or try gently pressing your tongue against the back of your teeth when you smile. If you have a tendency to smile a little too hard, this little trick prevents your smile from turning into a goofy grin.
8. Take Selfies Before Glass #2
Try to take your selfies before you get too deep into your cocktails. You’ll be more in control—after all, you have angles, lighting, and posture to think about. And no matter how well you hold your liquor or how bright the camera flash is, your eyes are going to look droopy after three glasses of champagne.