Makeup doesn't show in pictures - what am I doing wrong?

[sweetheart]

I've noticed since the Christmas period that even if I'm wearing a face full of make up in photos I often look very plain as if I'm not really wearing much - what am I doing wrong?

Subtle false lashes make a huge difference to how you look in photos

MAC studio concealer, Laura Mercier secret camouflage both good coverage and have staying power

I use a very small amount of Ben Nye Banana powder to set

Bronzer round the edges of the face, lightly contour under cheekbones , blush on the apples if you like it

Powder blush first as a base for longevity then a touch of cream blusher to add glow

This is all very general as it's all so personal and everyone's skin/features/style/comfort level of coverage varies wildly

I do a lot of brides who need the look you are talking about ( natural in real life but enough for photos)

The thing they always remark upon is that I take a LOT more time in the application than they would but the end result lasts so much longer, and shows in the photos

Yes Dior forever is a lovely product

Yolandas - I have noticed false eyelashes (not the big caterpillars but substantially feathery) make a difference on other people's pics, but because I already use liquid eyeliner and really emphasise my eyes (as opposed to lips) with eyeshadow etc already I worry that I'm veering into silly territory in real life.

Whereas it would probably all stand out so much better on a photo.

Thank you for the tips! So useful. I can't seem to do bronzer any more, at least not to the cheekbones. Even very lightly done it seems interrupt my eyes and lips and looks like there's too much going on. Finding the same with blusher, unless I do very simple eyes (definitely no liner or definition of any kind under the eyes, and only plain black liquid eyeliner on top) and nude lipcolour. (I was going to say "a nude lip" there but I STOPPED MYSELF because ugh magazine speak! A nude lip... a classic red lip... don't get me started on a "bold eye"...

Anyway, I digress I'm going to try the MAC concealer you mentioned. Got an eyeshadow or two from MAC and thought they were good, their eye primer veil is also very good. Thank you for the tips.

There are plenty of well regarded budget primers, you tube is your friend here

Cheap shadow rarely shows up due to lack of pigment and too much talc
There's the odd good one of course, Sleek/NYX
However considering how long an eyeshadow lasts ( a year?) I'd still go for MAC over a Superdrug one

Openup - I've only had one good brand mascara (once, as a gift) which I thought was any good anyway and it was Diorshow mascara. The rest of those sorts of brands in mascara... meh. I use Push-up Angel by Maybelline day to day, I think it's brill. Also Maybelline eyeshadow palettes are great colours and go on well/last well for the price.

Yes to feathery lashes, not too long. Maybe try less shadow if you are doing lashes?
Experiment. Then take a selfie!

It's all about individual comfort level

One (wo)man's "OMG im so pale and plain give me more" is another's "OMG get it off it's too much"
I've learned to be a bit psychic

Ps I'm guilty of "try it with a nude lip/ I'm going to fling on a red lip"

I prefer the natural ish look, but wanted to look made up on my wedding day.
My wedding photographer told my to apply make up as normal, then apply a second coat of everything as if I had no make up on.
It worked (plus I had ver subtle false eye lashes on upper lids, they don't look false in the photos, but definitely helped me look better in the photos

Thanks so much for the tip yoland! Looks like I need to do some shopping. Think I'll start with maybe a couple of good eyeshadows. I did order a new foundation and primer yesterday - I still got a No 7 foundation because I know what colour I am so I could order it online - I choose one that didn't have an spf and is a bit heavier than my usually daily wear stuff so I'll see how that goes.

I also ordered a bold coloured lipstick - ekkkk!

So interesting what you said about blusher as I usually do it the other way round - use the liquid one for colour and then set it with a powder blush - I'm not keen on the dewy look - I never get it right and just end up looking greasy like my makeup is sliding off my face.

Also I don;t have cheekbones - just a big fat face with no real good structure of definition so blusher / bronzer all scare the life out of me! I'd never touch contouring with a barge pole because I'd end up looking all stripey like a tiger lol

Check your products, if it has an spf the photo particularly if there is a flash will "white you out" x

Lol at the dropping shadow
Maybe you need a (washable) rug 😂

MAC pro longwear concealer also good but the glass packaging is a PITA as it's easily smashed too !

They say countouring has had its day, certainly the noticeable variety

I just wish someone would tell all the teenagers at my local shopping mall