Makeup Secrets: Flawless Skin

My clients often request the list of products I used during their shoots. Even strangers often ask what makeup I use to create such flawless skin in my photographs. While Photoshop certainly gives that perfecting final touch, the makeup is what makes the biggest impact. Makeup is magical. Not only does it transform us on the outside, it also inspires the confidence that allows us to shine from the inside.

Most of the transformation happened with her hair and makeup styling​. Of course, lighting and posing certainly helped, but you can see that Photoshop did very little.

Most of the transformation happened with her hair and makeup styling​. Of course, lighting and posing certainly helped, but you can see that Photoshop did very little.

Full Coverage Foundation - For Photoshoots, Evenings Out, Public Speaking

If you have very uneven skin (Acne Prone, Rosacea, etc), this could be your every day makeup routine.

First Things First. Start with clean, moisturized skin. Apply your favorite SPF and lip balm.

Step 1: Prime Skin
Apply primer by dotting it onto the forehead, cheeks, chin and nose, then blend in with your fingers like a moisturizer. Bring any extra product down your throat. Use your ring finger to apply a small amount of eye primer to your eyelids and lower lash line, blending quickly.  

Foundation or Eyes First? If you're planning to apply dark - smokey eye makeup, apply your eye makeup before foundation. This will prevent eye shadow fallout from ruining your perfected skin. If your eyes will be more neutral to medium, you can save eyes for last. 

Step 2: Conceal
Apply full coverage concealer to trouble spots such as pimples or pigmentation, as well as inner eyes, redness around the eyes, and under eye circles. Tap concealer onto blemish using fingertip, then gently dab around the blemish to blend it out. Check your eyes, forehead lines, and parentheses lines around the mouth for creasing. Blend any product buildup out with your fingertips.

Step 3: Powder
Use a kabuki brush to dust HD powder on your entire face, (including eyelids if eye makeup has not already been applied).

Step 4: Bronzer
Use a fluffy face brush to apply bronzer to your throat and décolletage.

Finish your look with blush, eye makeup and lipstick or gloss.

My Favorite Foundation Products:

Primer, Foundation, Powder, Kabuki Brush:
Make Up For Ever HD Complexion Starter Kit - $79
This amazing kit includes a trial sized HD Microperfecting Primer (I liked mine so well, I bought the full sized version, and use the trial size for traveling), HD Invisible Cover Foundation in the color of your choice, HD Microfinish Powder, and the softest kabuki brush ever.

Foundation Brush:
M·A·C 188 Small Duo Fibre Face Brush - $35
A flat-topped stippling brush that gives an airbrushed finish to your foundation.

Concealer:
Kat Von D Tattoo Concealer - $25
This creamy, full coverage concealer designed to cover tattoos also does a great job concealing blemishes and dark circles.

Eye Primer:
(Dry or mature skin)  Benefit Lemon-Aid - $20
(Oily lids) Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion - $20

Every Day Foundation - Sheer Coverage

I love to use Bobbi Brown BB Cream SPF 35 ($42) as my foundation, then spot conceal, and apply powder for a quick, everyday face. 

Emily London

Emily London Miller is a Portrait Photographer and official Sue Bryce Photography Mentor based in Salt Lake City. She's also a traveler, a mother of teenagers, a storyteller, and perpetual student of life, love, and accessing authentic expression and expansive collaboration.