Can you help me look less ugly in Teams calls?

[WaterWall22]

In real life I'm a pretty average looking middle-aged woman. Lots of my work is on Teams as I work for large national company.
Few times now when I've met people first time in person they've said something along the lines of: 'You look nice?!' in a really surprised way. One woman actually said 'gosh, you look so much nicer and younger in person!'
I've always thought myself that I do look terrible on Teams, but others clearly think so too!
So what do you do to look nice on Teams? I have to wear a headset due to confidentiality so hair is always flat which doesn't help..

Trying to look nice for others in any circumstance is always a pointless task. Because to one person you will look amazing and to others terrible depending on personal taste. Don't waste your time. I'm sure you are a lovely person and that's what matters more than peoples passive aggressive comments. Personally I like to look as rough as possible on camera so I can give people a nice surprise when I go into the office 😂. All jokes aside as long as you are clean and smart looking i'd keep it at that. But if its affecting your confidence then you could put a bit of lippy on and do your eyebrows as i'd say that's what stands out the most on camera

I turn off the video for me so everyone can see me but I cannot see myself. It's the only way I don't get distracted by wondering how I look like a surprised potato.

I find a bit of eyeliner along my upper eyelashes helps, along with some colour on my lips.

You can change the settings to put a slight blur on in teams.

I use a bit of the filter built into teams, smooths out my jowls! I think it’s mainly due to lighting - honestly I try not to look at myself

Everyone looks better IRL than on Teams. Don't worry about it.

I use the filter :D

Make sure your face is lit properly.

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Here’s a little more information:
https://applink.ikea.com/tY8M9r9M4w--10514358--gb--en I use the warmest setting. Makes a big difference!

I look amazing on teams. Have you used the blur function? Takes years off. I get a fright when I look in an actual mirror now.

See if you've got the Maybelline filter! It's in video effect, scroll right to the bottom where the filters are. There are a couple that are quite realistic.

I look so incredibly pale on Teams, I am quite fair but I actually look white on Teams. I've recently got a warm lamp in front of me which helps a lot. As someone else said, eyeliner on the top lid and also an eyebrow pencil help!

I had my hair in quite a nice 'messy' bun styled top knot the other day, I thought it looked lovely in real life, one of those days where it all fell in to place perfectly, but on Teams I looked like Betty from the Flintstones!

Use a ring light! Good lighting makes such a difference. I look so much better on Teams since I started using one.

I look deathly pale on teams. Like a ghostly blob. I’ve found that if I wear my reading glasses and red lipstick then it makes me look really put together.

I use the blur filter and have a small ring light which I only put on when I am in a teams call. Also having your laptop/camera higher so it’s not straight on

Loved that description - can totally see the 'surprised potato' when I see myself on Teams too!

Have you got your laptop raised? So its not looking up at you? Work out the best angle.

Second this

I agree ring light behind the camera you can get them that clip on to your laptop! Makes such a difference. Then add soft focus- I wouldn’t do filter as sometimes you can tell when someone has a filter on. Also angle- some people at work have their laptops down low which makes it look like they have a double chin etc whereas slightly raised is more flattering. I don’t give a hoot what anyone else looks like but as I have a lot of meetings I try and make myself look reasonable!

I don't wear make-up day to day (can't be bothered!), but I do for video calls - my skin is quite average but my laptop camera makes my skin tone very pale and any blemishes/blotches are highlighted, and my under-eye circles look hideous. I use the 'touch up' filter in zoom, but only move the slider about 20% along, so not trying to look 20 (I'm 50).

Also, make sure your camera is slightly above your eyeline, tilted down towards you, as this is a more flattering angle, and you're well-lit with warm light, not very white LED.

I'm having "surprised potato"..brilliant.

I have a soft filter on mine so I look less old and shattered lol.

At least it’s that way round. Whenever I (rarely) Teams call with DH he insists I must have the filter on as I look so good on the camera. He’s very complimentary to me in real life too, so I think he is just genuinely shocked that I look nicer on Teams than any sort of negging.

Filter, good lighting and a bit of fake tan! I always think it makes me look deathly pale

Agree with everyone who has said:
improve lighting (ring light/lamp) experiment until it looks right
wear a bit of makeup - I found a light-reflecting/blurring tinted moisturiser eg dermalogica, Bobbi Brown, etc worked well, with a bit of blush/bronzer and tinted lip balm
make sure you are looking up slightly, so have whatever you focus on on the screen ( for most people, this is their own image) at the top of the screen, have notes etc raised up, use a laptop riser with separate keyboard or just pop laptop on a stack of books for calls
use the built in filters

Where's the blur filter?

Unsure with having it in front of me but I think in camera settings