Don’t get me wrong – I love a good selfie. They may be a bit braggy and egotistical, but some of them are just downright cool. Problem is, there are a LOT of selfies that are really baaad. From nostril views to questionable locations (bathroom stalls, people, really?) — the possibilities to look crappy — and crazy — are endless.
Enter our experts: Davis Factor and Lori Taylor-Davis. Factor is the founder of Smashbox Cosmetics – a makeup line that was born out of his first career, photography. Taylor-Davis is the lead artist for Smashbox and a miracle worker with a makeup brush. With years of celebrity and editorial shoots under their belts, we figured they would be the perfect duo to dole out some (very necessary) advice on how to take a flattering selfie. Here’s what they had to say:
Cues for the Camera
Keep the Flash On!
Dim light may be sexy in person but in a photo – it’s not your friend. Shadows show off every flaw on your face. “Camera companies test the flash on women to make sure the lightening is flattering,” says Factor, “It’s really beautiful light that makes you look younger – so leave it on.”
Basics Cases Are Better
While decorative cases have become another fabulous way to accessorize – they can ruin your look in the long run. “Cases with shiny metal or bling on the back distract the flash. It’s like shooting in a mirror – it creates a flair that blurs the photo,” says Factor. His suggestion: buy a basic black plastic case. They are inexpensive but create priceless images.
Angles are Everything
For those who don’t know this rule already – NEVER, EVER – shoot a selfie from below. Its reveals disturbing things: double chins, nose hair, under-eye bags. “To get the perfect angle, hold your arm straight out then lift it up slightly so it’s just above eye-level,” says Factor. “ A cameras has a wide angle lens, so hold it as far away as possible to avoid it distorting the shape of your face.”
Tyler Joe
Rise to the Occasion
The art to a selfie lies in the filter. “My go-to filters are the ones that make you look brighter. Amara and Rise are especially good for the face,” says Taylor-Davis who adds this tip. “If the picture doesn’t look great choose a black and white filter – and all of a sudden it looks artsy. Willow is my pick.”
Cues for You
Put Your Best Face Forward
“Don’t do the duck face. You know the one I mean – puckering out your lips,” says Factor. “It makes your face look weird.” Instead opt for a soft grin that shows some teeth. Taylor-Davis’ tip? “If you put your tongue at the roof of your mouth, you get this subtle smirk instead of a big cheesy smile.”
Makeup Matters
While the flash is ultimately flattering because it washes out flaws, it will also wash out your makeup. “It’s all about balance in the colors and look you choose,” Taylor-Davis. Doing a smoky eye? Avoid harsh hues like black and gray. Choose shimmery navy or plum that looks softer. Doing a lip look? Skip the trendy mattes and opt for creamy formulas that are at least two shades darker than your natural lips color.
Tyler Joe
Throwing Shade
Contoured cheeks are all the rage but they can be aging if not done properly. “Shimmery highlighter — applied above the cheekbone — diffuses lines and creates that glowy, youthful look,” says Taylor-Davis, adding. “A side shot of the face when the light catches the top of your cheekbone – there’s nothing sexier.”
