Proper makeup application is a talent that can be honed with time, practice, and looking through some online makeup tutorials. Some people would even take courses and workshops designed to perfect the art of applying makeup in various ways. But lighting may completely change your makeup, no matter how skilled you are. When applying makeup, light can be your best friend or worst enemy. You might easily choose the wrong colors if the environment is too dark or bright.
Poor lighting in a studio or room can severely hinder makeup application. To give just two examples, fluorescent lighting can cause you to apply too many cosmetics. In contrast, pink-tinted bulbs can cause you to overlook flaws. To that end, consider installing brighter lights in your makeup area.
Why is Lighting Important?
A change in the lighting can either hide or accentuate flaws, like a magic trick. Some of these techniques are wonderful for smoothing out rough spots in photographs. Still, they might make applying makeup in natural light more challenging. Your perception of what’s in front of you may change depending on the light source’s color temperature. And, of course, it affects how you apply cosmetics. Makeup can seem great in the bathroom, but when you step outside, you may discover that you haven’t even bothered to put any foundation on.
- Concealing the area under the eyes can be challenging if the lighting is poor.
- When applying makeup, being able to see every little detail is invaluable.
- Proper lighting makes it simpler to see colors as they are.
- Proper lighting makes it easier to see where you add shadows and contours.
- Good illumination makes it simpler to search for skin flaws or other imperfections.
- Makeup artists need proper lighting to create shadows and highlights since it impacts the viewer’s impression of depth.
- If the lighting isn’t just right, it’s hard to see how the makeup turns out on the skin.
- Magnifying tools are invaluable when dealing with delicate facial features like the eyes or lips
- Natural light is preferable when taking photos of cosmetics to use as a tutorial or for a company.
- Before putting a lace, mesh, or sequin fabric on your face, inspect it thoroughly under good lighting conditions.
Dos and Don’ts for Makeup Lighting
The difference between a stunning appearance and a potential disaster is often as simple as changing the lighting. Makeup specialists agree that natural daylight produces the most realistic reflection of your face, making it the ideal lighting for applying makeup. Moreover, because natural light is crisp and diffused, it’s easy to see when a blend is off. You can get the precision and accuracy required for a faultless base by working in natural light.
However, due to different circumstances, one cannot always use natural light in applying makeup, such as during nighttime. Since the color temperature and intensity of LED lighting are so near that of natural light, it is the next best option if you can’t apply your makeup in natural light. Even while natural light can make you look good, it’s advisable to use artificial lighting so that you’re not fighting against shadows.
1. Use the right kind of light bulb for your makeup lighting.
When natural light isn’t enough in your cosmetics area, artificial lighting is the next best thing. However, with incandescent, fluorescent, and LED bulbs all on the market, it can take time to determine which setup is ideal.
- Incandescent bulb – One of the most common light bulb types is the incandescent bulb. Still, it has several drawbacks. It generates heat and can cause makeup to melt and sweat excessively. A bright white light from an incandescent bulb is perfect for doing cosmetics. Still, these bulbs could be more energy efficient and can be expensive.
- Fluorescent – Some of the most unattractive lighting for doing makeup is fluorescent. For a makeup artist, they are the ultimate nightmare since they draw attention to imperfections while masking your best features.
- Yellow Lights – Yellow light is ideal for shaving, but it should be avoided at all costs for applying makeup. Similarly, it makes flaws, such as dark circles and patches, more noticeable, prompting the need for concealer and powder to cover them up.
- Pink Light – When compared to harsher lighting options like fluorescent or yellow, the warm glow of a rose bulb might make it seem like you need less makeup. While overdone makeup is not a good idea, it’s also not a good idea to leave the house with a half-done face of makeup. Take a picture on Instagram under pink lighting but use white light to apply your makeup.
- LED Light – To put it simply, LED bulbs are the best option. LED lights are dimmable, save energy, and shine brightly enough to illuminate your face without casting shadows. To acquire the precise tone and level of illumination you need, smart LED lights that can be switched from warm to cold white light are an even better option.
2. Setting up your LED makeup lights properly.
Simply switching to LEDs from incandescent bulbs is insufficient. Additionally, pay attention to where they are placed. Proper makeup lighting should have no overhead angles and should face you directly. This ensures that there are no shadows and eliminates the possibility of you trying to fix flaws that aren’t there.
Set your LED makeup lights up in front of your face like you would place your beauty table in front of a window. In doing so, the likelihood of shadows is reduced, and a uniform concentration is achieved. When doing makeup, use the lights you have set up at your grooming table. If your room has an overhead ceiling light, as is typical, turn it off.
- Overhead Lighting – Applying makeup under overhead lighting is only recommended if you want to see every line, wrinkle, and flaw exaggerated. Strange shadows produced by overhead lighting may lead you to overapply makeup when it is optional.
- Standard Lamps – If your mirror doesn’t have built-in lighting, a lamp placed on the table is the best option. You can eliminate shadows by directing the light right where needed, thanks to an adjustable head.
Moreover, if you’re using a normal lamp, think about utilizing two instead of one, one on each side of you and one in front of you to provide more even lighting for your face. A floor lamp with a light source at eye level is a good option if you don’t have room for lamps on your vanity.
3. Install Daylight Bulbs in your bathroom
It’s only sometimes possible to do makeup in the comfort of natural light. Instead, you can spend your money on daylight bulbs, which seem like natural light. Additionally, you may view how your makeup appears in various environments. You can avoid having unblended concealer, thick bronzer, or raccoon eyes by installing a few daylight bulbs in your bathroom or near your cosmetic mirror.
4. Position your lighting at face level.
Makeup experts advise that the lighting source’s top, bottom, and sides should all equally hit your face. Position your light source to shine on your face from the front for the greatest results. Bad shadows are produced by illumination from above or below.
5. Position your vanity mirror appropriately.
The position of your mirror is another factor to consider when deciding on the optimal lighting for makeup. The natural light from the sun might make your makeup appear washed out if your bathroom mirror is next to a window. Alternatively, consider moving your mirror away from a window or other natural light source. By doing this, you can make sure that your makeup looks great.
A makeup mirror should have lights at the absolute least on each side of it and ideally around it. By doing so, light is produced that eliminates shadows on the face and uniformly lights the skin, eyes, and facial features.
Conclusion
Different colors can be produced depending on the type of light, and these color differences impact how makeup appears. The location of your home or employment outside may also affect how much natural sunshine you receive. Anyone seeking a simpler alternative to apply makeup while ensuring they are doing it correctly would benefit from understanding this.
You can apply makeup using various light sources. Still, it’s crucial to choose the one that’s best for you out of all the options available. You have a lot of possibilities, so take your time and select the one that best meets your specific needs. You can consistently apply your makeup like an expert with the appropriate lighting.
Undeniably proper lighting is while doing makeup. Because most people do makeup for evening events and night outs, acquiring the ideal lighting is only sometimes possible. So, this is where these incredible tips and tricks come into play and assist you in achieving the perfect makeup look. Prepare your lights, set them up as described above, and apply your makeup. Don’t forget to finish with a smile and wear your confidence.