Being filmed for TV - need quick fixes

[KittyB52]

I am going to be filmed next week for a short documentary for tv. AFAIK I will need to do my own make up and ‘wardrobe’ - only guidance I have is to avoid logos on clothes.

I am in my forties, short, overweight, and somewhat haggard (10 month old DD + ill health = spud face ). I know I need to get my hair cut, so that will at least be tidy (ish). I am rubbish at doing make up and am not likely to be able to learn much in a week. What’s the best to concentrate on - mascara and a bit of something to define eyes?

I’ve ordered a few jumpers from DP to pair with skinnies/jeggings and some form of flat footwear (not yet purchased).

Any advice on how to look vaguely presentable without splashing vast sums of cash would be appreciated, thank you!

Go for a block colour & some nice jewelry including earrings. My go to earrings are some dangly pearls. You will need slightly heavier make-up and a bright-ish lipstick - or better still go to a counter at your local department store and get them to make you up - what fun!
Start practicing and looking at yourself in your webcam.

Could you get your makeup done at the benefit counter in your local department store beforehand?

Have a google for celebrities with a similar face and body shape to you - see what they wear and how their hair is done and try to mimic that. As with the makeup, hairdressers before the TV slot? Would there be time?

Could you even put a pic of yourself on here with your face blurred so people could give ideas?

Eyeliner, mascara & brightish lipstick and some blusher.

I have to travel a few hours to studio, so doubt I’d be able to get my face done at a department store - I did think about it though.

I rarely wear make up as I am v lazy plus I don’t seem to make myself look any better with it. I will need to get a lipstick as I usually just wear tinted lip balm.

Not sure there are any celebrities with my body shape/size. Susan Calman is similar height, but she’s more of an apple and I’m a pear-Apple hybrid.

I will need to be practical clothes wise as I will be with DD so potentially wrangling baby/lifting/crawling on floor with her.

I'd definitely think about getting my make up done professionally. Or maybe ask a friend to do it?
Avoid busy clothes. Presumably it's neck or waist up only on show, so think neckline. Keep it simple

Sorry cross posted re getting make up done

If you are going to a studio I would guess they will do makeup for you , or at least check it. makeup for studio lighting is usually quite heavy on the foundation as the bright lights wash you out.

Agree with PPs about a block colour, nothing with a fussy pattern. But mostly something that fits and you are comfortable in, you don't want to be adjusting yourself when you need to be concentrating!

Hope it all goes well

Don't be shiny. Try to keep your base as matte as possible.

Yes to mascara - if you're a makeup novice don't experiment with eyeliner for a TV appearance. I'd stick with foundation, powder for nose area, a little blush, mascara, natural coloured lipstick. Give it a trial run beforehand so you don't feel uncomfortable.

No patterns, particularly not stripes as they can create a weird optical illusion on camera. Stick with block colours. Something in a flattering light colour near your face is always a good bet.

You'll (probably) be framed from torso/chest up on camera so necklines are important. Don't wear anything fiddly or that you don't feel comfortable in - being interviewed makes people nervous and I've seen plenty start fiddling with their clothes on camera.

Most importantly - remember to breathe, relax, smile.

Get them to do it. You need inch thick slap for TV . your own mother won't recognise you and you will look twenty years older off screen but apparently it works for the.camera.

Seen someone I know on TV - its weird!

Sorry - when I said ‘studio’, I meant ‘filming venue’. Which sounded a bit wanky in my head, so I have ended up having to drip feed. Gah!

Anyway, yes to block colour, simple neckline, comfort. No to shine and stripes. Thank you.

I have been filmed before (I was going to be on a Davina programme) and the amount of make up! It probably looked ok on screen but good grief! I took half my face off back at the hotel and took a photo to compare.

Have your eyebrows dyed and shaped. It is the single thing that will make the biggest difference in making you look groomed. It will be worth every penny.

Then attend to your lashes - if the budget can stretch to it and they are naturally long and full have them dyed. If they are sparse consider lash extensions. If they are a step too far in terms of cost or time then concentrate on mascara - use one you like and trust and concentrate on your application technique. Hold the brush at the base of your lashes and wiggle back and forward as you brush upwards. That will give you colour and volume all the way up. Allow to dry and repeat..and if you want repeat again.

I would add some sort of tinted moisturiser and a lip balm but if you aren't comfortable with make up I wouldn't push it.

Add a blow dry or run a hot brush through your hair for shine and volume and you will be ready for your close up.

I hope it goes well, it sounds very exciting.

Thanks all - meant to come back yesterday but got lost in a world of online shopping.

Will venture to town at the weekend and get the brows sorted. I usually do them myself as I have a fear of ending up with scary dark caterpillars or sparse brows if I go to a salon.

I will also try to find a hairdresser that can trim my hair for me - I usually hack at the fringe myself.

And I need emergency lip balm/cream as DD flung her head back and cut my lip (she’s fine, thank goodness!) - they were already a bit dry but they’re split too. Grim!

Curl your eyelashes, they’ll help make your eyes look more open.

There’s tons of videos on YouTube about applying eye makeup, including a natural look. If you’ve got time have a look. I’ve found lots of great tips on there!

I have used eyelash curlers before but my lashes always go straight again really quickly. Will be going shopping this weekend for a new mascara and lipstick (have got everything else), so maybe that will help.

There will be a MUA who will add to whatever make up you have on - what looks good in real life will look like nothing on TV and washed out, so they will at peast give you a charmingly thick orange base! I was on a show once and told to do my own make up. I spent bloody ages on it then they re did the lot apart from the mascara! (Then had to wash it all off before going out in public!) So just don't spend a fortune on a new foundation and blusher, unless you wanted to anyway!

Don't have any style advice but whatever you do, don't say 'as I said....' before anything.

Makes for ghastly continuity. I physically clench whenever I hear it on telly.

Lanolips is good for sore lips. You can get it from boots. You could also experiment with curling your lashes a bit before the day. Heating the eyelash curler a little bit with a hair dryer (or I stick it down my bra for a bit to warm up!) will help your curl last longer. Set with mascara, natch. How exciting! Hope it all goes well for you on the day.

Thanks for the lanolips suggestions, opalmum - I was going to try Blisteze.

Will give the warmed curlers a go too.

My advice would be go for mascara, but not anything else, dont practise with full on eye make up for tv! I'd be looking to enhance but not paint myself, so exfoliate your skin and get some nice products to spruce it up, whether thats moisturising or 'radiance' or whatever. The proper brow shaping would be a good one. I see little wrong with tinted lip balm, lipstick can be tricky to get right i look like a drag queen with it har har my BIGGEST tip though is to get a babyliss hair styling tool like a keratin smooth brush. Watch some youtube tutorials and you can be styling your hair like a pro in ten mins! Groomed hair REALLY helps the overall groomed picture!

Blisteze is good too, and iirc, less expensive than lanolips. Lanolips is more of a preventative, I think, and gives a pretty sheen.

I have been using coconut oil, and trying not to lick it off.

I am beyond help.

I wouldn't do too much to be honest. Get your brows done but emphasis you want it natural, I wouldn't tint (mine end up really dark for few days) get a hair trim and if you can blow dry the day before?

Keep make up as natural as possible

You want to look like you, you'll kick yourself if you end up looking not at all like yourself or with crazy brows!

Good luck!