“Kids don’t need makeup!” is a phrase that is often spoken when I tell people what I do for a living. While I agree that children do not need to wear makeup in real life, when it comes to a photoshoot, there is a reason that I am hired to do “kids grooming”.
Studio lighting can often make models appear washed out and tired. And just like we do, children can get blemishes and dark bags under their from time to time. To really bring out a child’s features, and give them a healthy “glow”, I often apply more makeup than I would ever use in real life.
If you are curious to know which products are my go-tos for kid and teen photoshoots, keep reading! All of these tips and products are also helpful for recreating some of the looks I do on set, when you’re at home. Whether your child is going to an audition, or you are simply having an impromptu mini shoot in your living room, these are some practices you can do to achieve a natural look!
The first few steps are focused on prepping the skin. You always want to have a clean and moisturized canvas to work on. Below are my go to products to get started.
Bioderma Hydrabio H2O ($9.90 for 8.3 oz.) This is a hydrating micellar water that gently cleanses the face without drying it. I feel comfortable using it because it is formulated for dry and sensitive skin.
Glossier priming moisturizer ($22.00). This product is also marketed as a primer, although that isn’t the reason I use it. It is a basic facial moisturizer that provides a nice base for any texture of foundation This product does not contain sunscreen, so it won’t cause any issues with photography flashback. If you want to use this as a daily moisturizer, make sure that you also apply a good facial sunblock with an SPF 30+.
Beautycounter Calendula lip balm ($22.00) This is a must-have for dry, peeling lips. It has a nice scent so no one complains of it smelling “icky”. It works as a clear lip gloss, but I will sometimes blot off the shine for when I am doing grooming on boys.
Most of the kids that I work with have great skin, and barely need any coverage. I use thin- textured foundations (liquid or cream-based) not only to provide minimal coverage, but also to anchor the rest of the cream makeup (like blush, bronzer and liquid highlighter). Two of my go-to foundations are Kosas Tinted Face Oil ($42.00) or MUFE Ultra HD Stick Foundation ($43.00)
There are situations where a light foundation may not offer enough coverage to make skin appear even. Dark circles under the eyes, (as mentioned above) are a common issue with kids, who may just have a genetic predisposition to them. Another area which may need more coverage is any redness around the nose and lips. This is when I would use a more heavily-pigmented product such as concealer or “cover up”.
While I continue my search for the Holy Grail of concealer (one which can hide facial discoloration but isn’t too heavy under the eyes), I have been getting good results from Maybelline Fit Me Concealer ($6.49). A little goes a long way, so I dab on the smallest amount with a pointed brush and blend with a damp micro mini beauty blender ($18.00).
I always reach for cream blush, and I apply it immediately after foundation so it blends seamlessly into the skin. Lately, I have been using Kosas Cream Color & Light Palette ($34.00). Each palette comes with a lighter and darker shade. Although the company calls the lighter shade a highlighter, I prefer to use it on top of the darker tone, to adjust the intensity of the shade.
Brows. I especially love the full ungroomed brows that most kids have naturally. I use a brow gel and eyebrow brush (spoolie) to gently brush the brows upward. If a child’s brows are very light, they may appear non-existent in photos. In that case, I use a soft eyeshadow like MAC eyeshadow in Omega ($17.00) and a small angled brush to lightly fill in with color.
Yes, I use mascara on kids for photoshoots. Since I don’t use eyeliner or shadows on the lids, mascara works to make the eyes look open and alert. I like Beautycounter’s Lengthening Mascara ($29.00). The small wand is perfect for coating lashes without adding bulk. My trick is to apply it with a small fan brush, on the top lashes only. A clear mascara would also work if you just want to give lashes a bit of lift and shine.
The final touch is a dusting of translucent powder to prevent excess shine on forehead, eyebrows, nose, and chin. Stellar Cosmic Face Finishing Powder. For deeper skin tones, I used a bright yellow pressed powder from Sephora collection.
Now, you certainly do not have to use all of these products or do every step to achieve a natural look. By simply doing a few, you can quickly and easily have your child (or yourself) looking put together and refreshed for any special occasion!
If you need any product recommendations or help achieving a certain look, please reach out! I am always here to help, just send me an email!