How’d They Do That? Secrets To Looking Great in Every Photo

There’s no iPhone alert that gets our attention faster than “You’ve Been Tagged!” It’s no surprise that people respond to a tag notification more quickly than any text, voicemail, or email, and for obvious reasons. Nobody wants an unflattering picture to land online and stay there for all eternity. So, what can we do to make sure that we look our best when posing for pictures? Thankfully, in this new “selfie nation” there are several products and posing strategies that you can employ to help you put your best face forward when smiling for the camera.First, your pose. Pay attention to the angle of your face to the camera. To get the most flattering shot you should avoid facing the camera directly (think mug shot). Instead turn your body at a slight angle, tilting your head to look at the camera. This will minimize the double-chin look and make the photo more interesting and less posed.While smiling is something that comes naturally when posing for a picture, there is an art to perfecting a natural, yet flattering smile. Grinning from ear-to-ear, is not the best look. Instead, go for a more genuine, gentle smile. The trick is to relax your face slightly and go for a more casual, cheerful look. Make sure to have those “smiling eyes,” too. (Bonus: it makes you feel happier, too).If you are standing up (always more flattering than sitting), avoid the dreaded “arm spread” by either placing your hand on your hip, or simply raising your arm slightly off your body. Again, angle yourself so that one shoulder is forward, and cross your legs at the calf. This will make your hips look narrower and your legs longer. And, just like your mother told you, stand up straight and shoulders back. This trick has been around as long as the red carpet.Where is the camera? The cardinal rule is to make sure you are not being shot from low to high. This is a recipe for accentuating a double chin, even if you don’t have one. Instead, make sure the camera is shooting a tad bit higher than you are. This will make your face look slimmer, and camouflage any chin and neck distortions. This tip is especially important when posing for a selfie.Overcast days really turn you on! Lighting can be your friend. Clouds diffuse light, which gets rid of any harshness, but for indoor, or nighttime pictures, use your flash. It will soften dark shadows and give you more of that glow we all love.Speaking of glow… Your makeup can make or break a good shot. Highlighters are a great tool for creating a dewy look without looking oily. A dab of highlighter like the Maya Chia Golden Hour or the Jouer Skinny Dip on the apples of your cheeks will catch the light in a flattering way, accentuating cheek bones and smoothing skin. If your skin tends to be oily, a sprinkle of translucent powder like Kevyn Aucoin’s Diaphanous Powder on your nose, chin and forehead will lessen any tendency for a shiny glare.Eyes are the focal point of your face, so make sure to define your eyes by lining your upper lids as close to the lash line as you can get. This will define your eyes without turning you into Cleopatra. Smashbox’s Always Sharp Eyeliner in Raven will help you get as close to the lash line as possible. Eyeliner can look overdone in pictures, so be wary of over-lining, especially on the bottom lids. Black lengthening mascara is also a must. We love Stila’s Mile High Lashes. Steer clear of frosty eye shadows which will show up as a reflector in a picture, and it can make your eyelids look crepe-y.For your skin, choose a foundation which matches your skin tone, and be sure to use a concealer in the inside corners of your eyes, and around your nose. The shade of concealer and foundation should match each other and your skin. Products that are too light or too dark age you, and do not look natural. To avoid looking washed out, an all too common problem, find a rosy, natural colored blush and apply it on the apples of the cheeks. A cream blush, like RMS Demure, which is especially good for dry complexions, can give your skin the perfect youthful rosy color which translates well on camera.Today’s phone cameras can be a blessing or a curse, so make sure you’re armed and ready to be picture perfect in a flash!