If you dread taking photos of yourself, you’re not alone. According to estimates by the skincare company Dove, more than 75 percent of women didn’t like taking pictures of themselves because of the way that they looked. More than 96 percent of women classified themselves as looking “average,” which, of course, is a contradiction in terms.
Believe In Your Selfie
So what can we do to improve the way we look in every selfie? Here are some tips from medical professionals, photographers and stylists.
Groom Your Eyebrows
According to celebrity stylish Kelley Baker, one of the most important things you can do before taking a photo is grooming your eyebrows. She says that eyebrows that are arches rather than round like to make round faces look fuller. If, however, you have an oval face, softly angled eyebrows look better.
The bottom line, she says, is to choose the right eyebrow shape for your face. You can have thicker brows, she says, so long as you have wide cheekbones and a wider face.
Brighten Up Your Skin
Ask any medical aesthetic doctor and they’ll tell you one of the main problems with people’s skin is oxidation of fat just under the surface. No matter what your skin tone, this makes skin appear darker and less healthy, especially as we age. It’s a good idea, therefore to try to brighten it up. Reality television star Holly Madison says that she uses an old trick employed by Marilyn Monroe. To bring extra brightness to her face, she uses a light foundation and then pairs it with brighter, light jewelry and hair dye. A white stone in her diamond earrings, she says, brightens up the rest of her face enormously.
Go For A Jog Before Hand
Our bodies are designed for movement. If they’re not moving, they don’t look their best. For instance, one of the reason people’s faces look puffy in the morning has to do with the buildup of lymph just under their skin, especially around their eyes. But the good news is that exercise helps to drain this away, returning the face to its natural complexion. Next time you want to take a selfie, try going for a jog beforehand.
Keep Your Chin Up
If you want to look good in your next selfie, smiling might not be such a good idea. Why? Because when we smile, we naturally draw our faces back into our necks, creating the impression that we have a double chin. A better idea is to imagine that your nose is being pulled towards the camera. This will help keep the face from sinking back into the neck, making it appear chiseled and refined. It might feel funny not smiling for the camera if you’re not used to it, but it does make a big difference.
Get In The Right Frame Of Mind
Even small fluctuations in our emotions are written all over our faces. That’s why it’s so important to get yourself in the right frame of mind before a photoshoot. Nigel Barker, a celebrity photographer, says to imagine eating something delicious before you take the snap.
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