Easy Makeup Tips & Tricks for Zoom Video Calls

LOOK GOOD WHILE WFH

Don’t shrink from the camera—shine! The new influx of video conferencing has left us all feeling a little less-than through the lens. From fixing under-eye circles to adding a splash of telegenic color on the lips, here’s how to look like the star that you are in your next video conference, whether it’s a 9am meeting with the boss or a girls’ night in cocktail hour.

You know what the camera really loves? Dark circles under eyes! So first thing’s first, swipe an easy-to-blend concealer under eyes, and at the outer and inner corners. Stick with lightweight, light-reflecting formulas like Instant Age Rewind, which does double duty, covering up circles without looking masklike, thanks to radiant, light-reflecting properties. Plus, the round, sponge-tip applicator fits perfectly into the curve of the under-eye, so you get coverage exactly where you need it.

The camera instantly picks up on any redness in skin—that means breakouts, irritation, rosacea and broken blood vessels. Use an easy-to blend liquid concealer, either the same formula you use for dark circles or if you prefer, something creamier like Fit Me Concealer, and tap it gently into corners of nose, on the chin, cheeks and anywhere else you’re naturally red or ruddy. Be sure to blend it well with a makeup sponge or with your fingers.

Groomed brows go a long way to giving professional polish, and add a dash of “finished” chic. Think of brows as your beauty punctuation mark. Without them, you’re just not finished. There are two ways you can get your brows up to sniff: Filling them in with a super-skinny brow pencil like Brow Ultra Slim Defining Eyebrow Pencil which gives the most precise, “hair-like” effect, or with a tinted brow gel like Brow Fast Sculpt Eyebrow Mascara which tames, grooms and tints exactly where you need it in one fast swoop. And let’s be honest, if you’re getting ready for a morning meeting while still in your PJ’s, speed is the number one priority.

Lash maintenance has become serious business in this day and age, between tints, perms, extensions and so on. But in-salon appointments are a no-go today. Some of you are blessed with lush, dark, eye-framing lashes. Good for you guys! Most of us aren’t. That’s where the right mascara comes in to save the day. A few coats of curling mascara does triple duty: it lengthens, darkens and lifts lashes in one go—the finished effect is wider, more awake-looking eyes. If the lash lift effect is more your look, nothing beats The Falsies Lash Lift Washable Mascara for giving you a natural-but-better touch of thickness, definition and length, fast.

The camera tends to wash everyone’s complexion out on-screen, making us look blah, pallid. A vibrant cream or gel blush like Cheek Heat Blush blended into the apple of cheeks—either with very clean, just-washed hands or very clean, just-washed blush brush or sponge—is just the antidote and takes about 5 seconds to do. Play with colors that are a little brighter than your usual shade if you want. It won’t read as loudly on camera.

Bright pink or purple lipstick immediately says “I’m here to have fun” and upgrades an everyday look into cocktail-chic. Plus, it pops on camera and is actually easier to pull off virtually than irl. Shades like Color Sensational Lipstick’s ‘Berry Go’ and ‘Pink Thrill’ are perfect picks!

The camera loves shine: combine it with a skin-flattering bronzer or a touch of highlighter on cheekbones.

For some quick, flattering definition, swipe on a good taupe, caramel or bronze eyeshadow.

1. Fluff your hair—For whatever reason, hair flattens when on camera, even if it looks great in real life.  Either pull it back, or pump up the volume!

2. Don’t sit under direct lighting—Yikes! Every photographer on earth will tell you, direct overhead lighting is a no-no. Look for eye-level sources of light.

3. Check your teeth—From the comfort of your couch, it’s easy to forget about little things like a poppy seed in between teeth—but the camera sees all.