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Style and beauty

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Original poster

Why do I look shit in photos or on the webcam?

53 replies

aliciaflorrick · 07/05/2013 19:16

I put my makeup on in the morning, I stand under a window so it's done in a natural light, I use good quality products. When I'm finished I stand back and while not a natural beauty I look okay, quite passable, reasonably attractive. So why oh why do I not take a good photograph? On photos my skin looks grey and I look older than my age, my eyelids look heavy and droopy and my nose is huge. I look like shit.

Is it true that the camera never lies, and I have a magic mirror in my bathroom telling me I am the fairest of them all.

I really want to look nice, it's been a hard year and I'm really trying to sort myself out in the grooming department.

OP posts:

OnTheNingNangNong · 07/05/2013 23:06

Thinking on this, my sister gave me a lovely photobook of me from birth until I got married. I've still not been able to look at it and it's been 3 years.

revolvenotevolve · 08/05/2013 11:59

If it's any consolation I take quite a GOOD photo - but don't look as good in real life which is worse!!

NotTreadingGrapes · 08/05/2013 12:05

I am a horror. In fact I took about 30 yesterday because my school wants a new one for their leaflets or whatever. Binned the lot. Am a monster.

Someone once said that models and priddy girls learn to jut their chin forwards in photos, at a quite unrealistic angle. It tightens your face. But I still looked like a mortuary pic yesterday.

LadySlatternlysHoover · 08/05/2013 12:34

You will all be looking back at these photos in 10 or 20 years time thinking you looked lovely back then.

Think on.

(nods old head wisely)

charitygirl · 08/05/2013 12:40

Get your colours done! I had a House of Colour analysis recently, and as well as sorting out my wardrobe they also told me the right make up colours to wear. The difference in photos (as well as in the mirror) is amazing - face much younger, firmer, slimmer looking.

NotTreadingGrapes · 08/05/2013 13:08

Can you get your colours done online? (am in Arse End of Italy where everyone thinks orange faces are a good thing)

charitygirl · 08/05/2013 13:29

I would say definitely not, although there are tons of self-analysis tools online. I would never have self-diagnosed as autumn.

MissMogwi · 08/05/2013 14:31

I too look shit in photos. I hate having my photo taken, so I very rarely do. I've perfected the 'blend in to the background' whenever anyone has a camera. Unfortunately this means there are barely any pictures of me and my DC.

I have my graduation ceremony coming up and I'm already bricking it about the photos and university videos. If I hadn't worked my arse off for it, I wouldn't be going! (drama queen).

ToastedTeacakes · 08/05/2013 17:02

It's a worry isn't it? And with so many more ways to get instant images of ourselves now, we can't avoid looking!

I look find on webcam (macbook, not tried others) but diabolical in still photo's. The worst of all are those taken on phone or ipod. I look like something a cat dug up: fuzzy grey skin, skin folds that weren't there before, bulbous nose (not in real life, oddly) and huge black panda troughs beneath eyes.

I look ok on DSLR pics, but quite asymmetrical. In mirror and video the symmetry is fairly even.

It's a circus of horrors, best taken with pinch of salt!

ToastedTeacakes · 08/05/2013 17:02

fine on webcam

ToastedTeacakes · 08/05/2013 17:04

I also look like a completely different person in every single photo. Not sure how I manage that.

I have been told i have a very 'mobile' face, with tons of quickly altering expressions, so perhaps this is why - there are so many quirks to freeze for posterity!

Isabeller · 08/05/2013 17:04

My friend looks great but doesn't take a good photo. I used to work with someone who was perfectly pleasant looking but in photos looked amazing.

Elizabeth22 · 08/05/2013 17:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LittleBallOfFur · 08/05/2013 17:54

My DH, who is a bit of a camera geek, says there's something about 'auto sharpness' on digital photos, so it highlights more lines/marks etc.

Of course he could just be saying that to make me feel better...

Ledkr · 08/05/2013 17:58

This happened this morning. I took a quick pic to check my make up and had a baggy puffy face and hooded eyes I was shocked but looked ok in the mirror I thought.
It ruined my day until this thread so thanks xx

Callycat · 08/05/2013 18:31

I did an evening course in film-making once. Our tutor told us that it is well known in the industry that some facial features just don't make the transition from real life to 2D as well as others. Models (he said) are often not necessarily too pretty in real life, but are chosen for the way that their faces survive that transition to 2D.

hollyisalovelyname · 08/05/2013 21:31

My friend looks great in photos snd is just very ordinary in real life. I look terrible in photos only in photos under duress

Eliza22 · 09/05/2013 08:19

I think it depends on "the day". Some days in real life I look good and others, I look off/tired/grey....no matter the careful application of makeup. Same with photos. I made DH delete some on his iPhone last weekend. Just crap ones where my nose looks huge when really it's pretty average (for noses!).

Don't be so hard on yourself. I'm 50 and was chuffed when fellow mumsnet terms (who'd viewed pics on profile) said I look good for my age. Obviously I wouldn't put crap pics of me on, the ones with the mahoooosive snout!

Eliza22 · 09/05/2013 08:21

Don't be so hard on yourself. I'm 50 and was chuffed when fellow mumsnetters (who'd viewed pics on profile) said I look good for my age. Obviously I wouldn't put crap pics of me on, the ones with the mahoooosive snout!

NotTreadingGrapes · 09/05/2013 08:32

I would also like to know where you got that beautiful shirt from in pic 1 please!

msrisotto · 09/05/2013 08:42

My photos are really mixed but mostly awful! However i looked like a movie star in my wedding photos so i put it down to professional lighting and cameras!

My sister is lovely looking but too shy to do an open mouth smile in photos so looks awful. If only she would do an open mouth smile she would look so much better in photos.

Eliza22 · 09/05/2013 08:51

Ooh, hello NotTreading. It's either John Lewis (own brand linen white shirt) or Laura Ashley. Got a few of 'em in pretty much the same style.

Got the Laura Ashley one (the Weekend range) in strawberry and cream gingham last week in LA sale for £24, from £45. Same style. I love it but DH keeps singing Doris Day's "Whip Crackaway, Whip Crackaway" when I wear it and says I look like something from "Calamity Jane". I care not!

worldgonecrazy · 09/05/2013 09:03

I dont' think it's entirely do do with make up, though good eye definition and lipstick can help.

I am considered fairly attractive in real life but look shit in photos purely because my face is not symmetrical. I have a slightly weak, and round jaw on one side and a square jaw on the other, and the lower jaw is offset by about 3mm. When my face is moving it's not noticeable, but in photos it is.

The angle of light can also make you look different, good models do the whole smile with the eyes, relax the mouth, find the light and hold their teeth apart just enough to give them a big smile without looking clownish.

NotTreadingGrapes · 09/05/2013 09:04

It is definitely my mouth that goes wrong in pics. I look like I am about to throw my head back and neigh.

NotTreadingGrapes · 09/05/2013 09:05

Eliza- btw, among my friends you have created a bit of a Delia-with-the-cranberries thing.....there is suddenly a shortage of Roc roller balls up and down the whole country!!

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