How to apply make-up for photos

Celebrity make-up artist Mary Greenwell has done her fair share of magazine photo shoots. So we asked her for her best camera-ready tips. Say cheese!

• Blending your base is super important. "Spend time doing this," says Greenwell. "There shouldn't be lines where foundation ends; it also shouldn't be noticeable around the hairline. Your base should be even over the entire face."

• Use illuminating creams. "Camera lights can make skin look rather dull," explains Greenwell. Try Visage Anti-Wrinkle Q10Plus Tinted Day Cream, $18.89, as a primer to give you the perfect, glowing canvas.

• Layer the products, giving your face shading and definition. You can get away with a lot more colour in photos than you would in real life.

• "If you're a little overweight, it's important to contour your face to give it shape," says Greenwell, who reiterates that strong lighting can tend to give the face a flattened appearance. If you don't own contouring powder, try a matte bronzer, such as Physicians Formula Baked Pyramid Matte Bronzer, $29.95.

• Keep your lips soft, they look prettier in a picture. Try Revlon ColorStay Soft and Smooth Lipcolour in Natural Cashmere, $29.95.

• If you have lines on your face, remember that too much powder will be very ageing as it accentuates wrinkles and crow's feet. Likewise too much eye make-up will just make you look tired rather than fashionable. Looking fresh is the key to looking younger.

• Photographic make-up has to be very precise. "As it's a still image that can be literally stared at for hours, every blemish and flaw can be seen, hence the make-up has to be perfect," says Greenwell.

• "Remember photographic lights pick up on shine, so that natural glow which looks fantastic in real life will just look shiny in a picture!" Nix shine with blotting papers such as: Shiseido Pureness Oil-Control Blotting Papers, $35.

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