Beauty, Beatitudes, and Blatancy

   I've got a ton of friends who are participating in the #nomakeup Facebook challenge for cancer awareness, and I've been impressed with how many of my friends are so beautiful with no enhancements whatsoever.  Linked above is a good friend who's almost 40, and in the comments are some who are older than that, but still look amazing without makeup. Could anyone really think that makeup makes those faces "better?" Maybe, but from where does that mentality originate?

   I'll tell you where.                                       

                                BIG MAKEUP.                                

   These corporations have nothing to do other than manufacture paste for your face and make you feel bad enough about yourself that you'll buy tons of it.

   Makeup in this world is regarded as a must for any female who expects to be taken seriously. #nomakeup got me thinking about why we hire Makeup Artists for our sessions, and what kind of message it sends. Does my (strong) suggestion of including a Makeup Artist mean that I think you're ugly? That you don't have what it takes to look good in front of a camera without professional help? No. That's not it at all.

 I've shot plenty of sessions where no Makeup Artists have been hired, and instead the client wants to do her own. To be entirely blatant, I'd rather not have shot those sessions. In almost every case, instead of using makeup to enhance natural beauty or gently accentuate features, it has been used to "cover up," "conceal," or otherwise plasticize features of an already beautiful face. This is done from a perspective of someone who has lived through half a lifetime of "beauty standards," being beaten into her brain, careless comments of a relative or "friend," and naturally occurring self-criticism.

That's where this look comes from.

   I can rely on a subject like this to take an extra 10 minutes to reassure, relax, and settle into something of a comfort zone where I can capture somewhat natural, sincere expressions. This difficulty can be redoubled if the session involves peers, friends, or relatives, as self-consciousness raises immediate objections to what looks good in-camera.

Instead, get good results.

                                             Before                                                   After

Makeup by Mattie R

   In sharp contrast, my sessions that include a Makeup Artist are dramatically different. Women who know that someone else will be responsible for their appearance are considerably more relaxed, take no time to "condition," and have more confidence than even me! A good Makeup Artist provides a feeling of stability, comfort, and makes you feel good about yourself. Further, the actual results are stunning. Free of the crushing weight of life's insecurities, your Makeup Artist takes an objective look at your face, and knows exactly what to cover up do to make your photos brilliant.