Actresses: What Kind of Makeup Should I Wear For My Headshots?

Sophie Attwood of “Imperium Management”

As a female headshot photographer, I always get asked how much makeup actresses should wear for their headshots. I tell them to wear what they wear on a normal day but more polished. You want to look like yourself! If you normally don’t wear makeup, then it is silly to pile it on for your headshots! Your headshots will appear unnatural if you don’t look how you do on a normal day.

You want to look as you would going to a casting; there should be no surprises for casting directors.

If you normally do wear makeup, you want to look like the best version of yourself without piling it on. Casting directors want to see what you look like! Therefore, heavy eyeliner, eyeshadow and blush are out. So how can you look like the best version of yourself?

I recommend lip balm, mascara, concealer, powder, subtle blush and lightly applied eyeliner. Lip balm gives a gentle colour and moisture while mascara makes your eyes pop in the headshots!

If you normally do wear heavy makeup/cosmetics, you generally want to stay away from anything too trendy. Your headshots need to appear as classic as possible so they don’t become outdated quickly. That means bright coloured eyeshadows and darkly rimmed eyes are out!