Once you’ve figured out what to wear, the next question is usually:
What do I do with my hair and makeup?
There’s a lot of noise out there. Some photographers insist you “need” professional hair and makeup to be camera-ready.
You don’t.
After photographing thousands of women over the past decade, here’s what I know to be true:
The goal isn’t transformation. It’s alignment.
What do I do with my hair and makeup?
There’s a lot of noise out there. Some photographers insist you “need” professional hair and makeup to be camera-ready.
You don’t.
After photographing thousands of women over the past decade, here’s what I know to be true:
- No one needs makeup to be beautiful — in life or in photos.
- No one needs professional hair and makeup to look gorgeous in photos.
The goal isn’t transformation. It’s alignment.
Do your hair and makeup the way you would when you want to look like your best, most put-together self.
Not stage makeup.
Not Vogue editorial.
Not someone else.
If you wear no makeup day to day, that’s completely fine.
If you wear light makeup, wear light makeup.
If you like a little polish, great.
The only thing I caution against is going dramatically heavier than usual. When you don’t look like yourself, you’ll feel it — and that shows up.
Hair & Makeup for Photoshoots *in general*
Style your hair in a way that:
A small practical note: tightly pulled-back hair can sometimes read flatter in a straight-on portrait. If you prefer it up, consider wearing it a bit looser.
If your hair falls into your face easily, bring a few pins just in case.
Curly Hair Gals — If your hair is narurally curly you already know: curls can be magic or chaos. Choose the version of your hair that makes you feel most in control and confident on shoot day.
- Feels like your day-to-day best
- Makes you feel confident
- Won’t cause “hair panic” mid-shoot
A small practical note: tightly pulled-back hair can sometimes read flatter in a straight-on portrait. If you prefer it up, consider wearing it a bit looser.
If your hair falls into your face easily, bring a few pins just in case.
Curly Hair Gals — If your hair is narurally curly you already know: curls can be magic or chaos. Choose the version of your hair that makes you feel most in control and confident on shoot day.
Makeup: Keep It Recognizably You
As a general rule: If you never wear heavy or dramatic makeup in your real life, do not wear heavy or dramatic makeup for your professional photoshoot.
If you’re wearing makeup, here are a few helpful tweaks:
Professional makeup is 100% optional — most of my clients do their own hair and makeup.
That being said, if having a prop style you will make you feel more confident walking into your shoot, do it. Just bring inspiration photos so you and your artist are aligned on “polished and natural,” not “evening gala.”
If you’re wearing makeup, here are a few helpful tweaks:
- Skip heavy shimmer. Shine can reflect light unpredictably. Matte or satin finishes photograph more reliably.
- Control oil if needed. Blotting papers or a light powder can help.
- Lip color: A shade slightly deeper than your natural lip color helps your smile pop.
- Whiten Teeth: try Crest White Strips 3 times the week or two leading up to your photoshoot.
Professional makeup is 100% optional — most of my clients do their own hair and makeup.
That being said, if having a prop style you will make you feel more confident walking into your shoot, do it. Just bring inspiration photos so you and your artist are aligned on “polished and natural,” not “evening gala.”
Business headshots have a clear job:
To represent you professionally.
Your hair and makeup choices should support three things
To represent you professionally.
Your hair and makeup choices should support three things
If you are usually wearing glasses in the context of your work — wear them for your headshots and branding photos.
If you sometimes wear them, bring them so we can do both.
Hair: Practical Tips
Hair & Makeup for Business Headshots Specifically
Context Appropriate
Style yourself in a way that makes sense for your industry.
If you’d wear your hair and makeup this way to an important presentation or networking event, you’re on the right track.
If you’d wear your hair and makeup this way to an important presentation or networking event, you’re on the right track.
Put-Together
Your headshot should match the version of you people meet in real life or on Zoom. The ideal difference between your photo and you on a good day in real life? — None.
Authentic
You want to look well-groomed and intentional. This doesn’t require makeup — it means:
- Clean hair
- Clean skin
- Clean glasses
- Thoughtful grooming
A note on glasses:
Whatever choices you make about hair and makeup for your photoshoot — prioritize looking and feeling like your best, authentic self.
