Photoshop For My Face

Skincare is an essential first step in preparing for a photography session or wedding, and something that can actually reduce your photography costs. Tonight, that will be our topic and you will get a peek into my world in actual images of my skin and face and items thanks to Google and a few other places.  So we will begin with a photo from about six years ago, when I was somewhat more comfortable with my looks and willing to be on the model's side of the camera. This is an untouched photo from the summer of 206 while I was spending time climbing trees with one of my god-kids and my then boyfriend.

Why am I letting you see this?

This is rare, I actually hate being on "that side" of the camera because I feel like my job is behind the lens. I had my days as a model and those days are well and truly over. I am happy with how I have aged and that I could still pass for much younger. I still get acne since hormones are great, but all in all my skin is soft and in such lovely condition and is quite pale and pink. I have ginger kid skin, it doesn't tan and has pretty little freckles when I spend enough time in the sun.

To keep it clear of the worst acne, I use a multistage process that all models and rides should use to prepare for their day in front of the camera. Make-up is actually not that essential if you make sure to use a good care regiment and should be viewed as an aid not a requirement. Think of it as a prop, there if you want something a little extra, but never meant to be dominating the scene.

iStockPhoto image via Goggle

Stage One: DRINK WATER! 

Seriously people, water will flush out your system, help manage your weight, and improve your skin by actually helping keep a healthy glow. It actually also improves hair as well, though we are covering skin today, hair is another topic completely and not something I am particularly great with in all truth.

The typical requirement is six full 8oz glasses of water per day, and make it plain water or water with a spritz of lemon. Your water should not have calories. I drink about two 2ltr bottles a day when I am shooting at a location and about four glasses of water per day. I also drink juice, milk, and some soda or a glass of wine every now and then, but I am a water with lemon kind of girl and it is awesome.

Stage Two: Proper Skin Cleansers Are Essential.

At minimum, you should be washing you face with a gentle cleanser twice per day and using an exfoliating scrub one to two times per week at maximum. Cleansers are not simply any old soap, but should be something mild enough to maintain a balanced level of skin's natural oils, invigorating to encourage healthy cell growth, and something that will wash clean so it will not clog pores.

I personally use products from my retail job for make-up removal and loving care of my sensitive skin. I still have "teenager skin" which is sensitive, oily in the T-zone, and prone to stress induced acne that got worse postpartum. I have a combination of products, one is a very mild make-up removing cleanser that clings to the mascara and foundation just enough to pull it away without making my skin feel stripped, and the other has an awesome coarse sugar and charcoal combination to exfoliate away the damaged layers and sunblock that can build up quickly if they are not treated daily.

Step Three: Toners And Moisturizers Should Be A Daily Product. 

iStockPhoto image via Goggle

Toners and moisturizers are not the same thing and both need to be used in sequence for proper skincare. Toners prepare the skin by allowing the pores to empty themselves of harmful agents, reduce the excess oil, and allow a hydrating barrier before tinted products. Toners for daily use should NOT be harsh acidic items or require immediate removal. An ideal toner is something to clear out pores and can even be used through-out the day in a spray form to maintain a matte finish to the skin by reducing the build-up of oils and other skin assailants. Toners should be applied after cleansing and prior to moisturizers, make-ups or sunblocks.

Next should be a moisturizer with an SPF or equivalent for protecting against sun damage. Remember that not all are made equal and you will need to find the right one for your individual needs.Those with oily skin might want to look for a product with some citrus agents as they are a natural oil reduction method while anyone finding they get dry or patchy skin should aim for a product with lavender or rose to enhance quality and balance while encouraging a healthy glow.

You may want to consider a lighter moisturizer for day use, perhaps tinted for coverage of mild skin imperfections if you are self conscious or prone to wearing make-up but have oily or sensitive skin. At night your cream should be a little thicker and leave a dewy tone to the skin so it can prevent that water loss that happens at night as we sleep.

Step Four: Tear Yourself Every Now And Then.

Trying to relax while pregnant by using a
mint mask from LUSH.

Exfoliating and weekly skin treats are a great idea even if all you do is lay on the Couch with slices of cucumber on your eyes and a glass of wine to sip. Find or make a sugar scrub that will encourage healthy new growth of your skin. I enjoy making my own skincare at home, and you would e shocked to find out how many of the expensive products we buy are absolutely a waste of money because all of their ingredients are available at your greengrocer for less than ten dollars.

If you are looking for something pre-mixed but don't want to spend a fortune, there are other options out there too. I am a huge fan of the face masks from LUSH: Handmade Cosmetics because they each do something wonderful and are not a “one for all” answer. Each one is made with something different to sooth, tighten, reduce oil, add moisture, or just help you relax and detoxify from all the daily damage. They smell amazing and contain real natural ingredients like chocolate, honey, aloe, garlic, and avocado. They do need to be kept cold and have a short shelf life... but the effectiveness will make you understand why the attention to detail in each formula makes them so much more than just one more thing for your skin.

Step Five: All Over Awesome Is Important.

Original Soaps Enterprises -
Star Wars fan bundle for $10.

Photography doesn't just involve the face. Sure, we want to see those pretty eyes and lovely smile, but remember to take time for the rest of you. Shower gels, soaps and body products abound, and it is up to your personal tastes to find the ideal for you. I am a fan of citrus soaps, most of all the big bar of lemony goodness that lives in my shower and makes my whole house smell of grapefruit and lemon.

Just as with your face, exfoliating is important for legs, arms, and hands where skin becomes rough and dry very quickly. Exfoliating prior to shaving reduces razor burn and moisturizing after each shower or bath is essential.  Pumice products, sugar scrubs, and other options abound so find one you love.

Be sure to select the right level of hydrating moisturizer for your body too. This should be heavier than your face cream and applied with a minute or two to sink in before putting on your clothes for best results. You may also want to consider something with a soft glowing finish if you are looking for great photographic skin... but stay away from self tanners. Actually, tanning of any kind in the week right before photos or a big event is not always a good idea because you risk the dreaded orange haze that photographers then have to correct. If you want a glow without the tan, a slight bronze dusting powder might be just what you are looking for; giving a sexy hint of summer color while not having a lasting tawny. Be aware of how well your choice of duster stays on the skin if you are wearing white or light shades, you don't want a nasty line on your outfit either.

Legs and feet are important and should be given some love, most of all if you are getting ready for wedding photography. Wedding shoes make for fantastic photos and you will need to prepare your hands for those ring pictures. This means a manicure or pedicure is in order. Simple at home ones work just fine if you are on a small budget, and since I have never hand a professional manicure or pedicure you can bet that has been my solution. Just have a more practiced friend paint your nails if you are worried about the finish needing to look just right, I cannot tell you the number of times in college I painted my roommate's nails or had her do mine before a night out. Pick fun colors and go for broke, color is your friend!

My Rennie Side.

Step Six: SUN BLOCK IS YOUR FRIEND!

SPF moisturizers are fantastic. I use one under my thin base make-up which also contains an SPF rated agent. I am outside at least two hours per day with my toddler, who also wears infant safe sunblock. If you cannot find something you love, I suggest looking at a baby safe product as they are very mild, have a high SPF rating for ginger kids and light skinned lovelies that burn in the bright light just like me.

In 2008 I went on vacation to Las Vegas with the man who was my boyfriend at the time. He and I are still friend and both agree that the trip out there might have been one of the coolest things we ever did as a couple. That trip was a huge adventure and I went prepared for the sun and sexiness with a full bag of tricks for the face and plenty for free space on my digital camera's memory cards.

But even if you don't live or vacation in crazy climates that can dry you out... sunblock is essential.  I use it while working weddings, chasing the baby around a playground, and covering my family shop selling costumes for Steampunk, Renaissance, and Civil War reenactments in the Northeast.

Step Seven: Minimal Make-up Is A Great Idea.

Not that you can really tell, but I am not a fan of make-up in general. I go for a brown and pink pallet over my pale-pinkish skin. I let my freckles show through as much as possible, dotting concealer under my eyes and on trouble spots when needed. It makes everything light and simple and lets who I am show through. On rare occasion I wear a darker eye style or a stronger lip, but that only happens when I am dressed for an event and never when I am working. Actually, I try to wear little or no make-up while shooting because it just creates a mess on the camera.

This is in a folder marked 2008 and other photos seems to support that date
so it is a tad dated but still fairly accurate.

I will never tell a client not to wear any make-up, but I encourage a reduced amount so that their natural highlights and shapes can show. The face has it's own contours and make-up can even be used to change those, tricking the eye and the lens for good or for ill and making work complicated at times. Editing can fix a truly poor make-up job to a degree, but even that does have limits and the costs for editing time can build quickly. In the end, expecting to look like a Hollywood star when not hiring a high quality make-up artist to make that look may not bring the expected results.

Anyway... since you saw that untouched photo of my in the beginning, I'll end with the version of me that I wish could appear every day. Retouched, made-up, and posed to maximize the points about my face that I don't mind so very much.  I'm not sure what the backdrop was, but I'm not going to complain since it allows you to see the the subject better.