How To Look Flawless In Photos

You want to look your best for the holidays. It’s a time with family, some you never get to see, and there will be tons of family photo opportunities. Make sure you look glowing and happy with these products to help you look flawless in holiday photos, because pictures are forever — especially the ones your mom frames over the fireplace.

First thing's first: The biggest beauty blunders highlighted by photography usually revolve around foundation. Make sure yours perfectly matches your skin tone. If it doesn’t, you can mix foundations for an on-point color, or simply blend your foundation as much as possible. Don’t forget to apply foundation to your neck and your ears!

Next, avoid Casper-white under-eyes by choosing a concealer that is only a shade or two shades lighter than your foundation, instead of five shades brighter. For bronzer, a soft warm glow looks better than an ultra-harsh contour. You want timeless images, not pictures that will look silly in ten years (or full-blown embarrassing in twenty). Instead of trying out the latest trends, stick to classic makeup looks. Red lips, rosy cheeks, and a soft eye shadow look are foolproof.

Finally, a pinky nude lip or a classic, cool-toned red will look flawless and timeless in your images. Below are some of my favorite products for family pictures.

1. Nivea Men Post Shave Balm

Nivea Men Post Shave Balm, $4, Amazon

This cheap drugstore product is a fantastic primer, thanks to one of its main ingredients, glycerin. It creates a smooth base for your foundation, and keeps it on all day.

2. Naked Skin Weightless Complete Coverage Concealer

Naked Skin Weightless Complete Coverage Concealer, $28, Urban Decay

A creamy, complete coverage concealer will cover dark circles and dullness from holiday indulgences (ahem, that bottle of wine).

3. L'Oreal Paris True Match Lumi Liquid Glow Illuminator

L'Oreal Paris True Match Lumi Liquid Glow Illuminator, $10, Amazon

Mix a liquid luminizer with your foundation for a glow from within that looks angelic, and even better in photos.

4. The Original Beauty Blender

The Original Beauty Blender, $20, Amazon

Instead of swiping foundation across your face, bounce it into the skin with a damp beauty blender for a skin-like finish.

5. Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder

Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder, $38, Sephora

Set your foundation, especially under your eyes, with a brightening powder that will make you look wide awake.

6. NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk

NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk, $5, Ulta

Lining your waterline with a white liner will make them appear larger, brighter and more awake in images.

7. L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Mascara

L'Oreal Mascara, $6, Amazon

Using an ultra-black mascara will make your eyelashes really show up. If you bump the wand against your lash line, it creates a perfectly messy liner.

8. Sigma E25 Blending Brush

Sigma E25 Blending Brush, $16, Amazon

Harsh lines are the worst, especially in photos. Blend out everything, and then when you think you're done, blend some more. I also love using this brush to lightly contour my nose, and I think it makes a huge difference in my photos.

9. Urban Decay Chill Cooling & Hydrating Makeup Setting Spray

Urban Decay Cooling Makeup Setting Spray, $31, Sephora

Last but not least, set your makeup with a setting spray to ensure it stays on all night and doesn't melt off. I like a cooling spray, especially if you'll be in a packed house full of family and fully operating ovens.

Want more beauty tips? Check out the video below, and be sure to subscribe to Bustle’s YouTube page for more hacks and tricks!

Image: Andrew Zaeh/Bustle