We have so many holiday parties coming up— and as you can imagine— there will be a lot of selfies taken. No matter how many people try to pretend they’re against them; it is one of the fastest and easiest ways to capture a special moment. I spoke to celebrity makeup artist and author of #Beautiful: 50 Easy-To-Create Selfie-Ready Beauty Looks Luis Casco who shared many of his favorite tips.
Congratulations on the release of your beautiful book. Why was it important for you to dedicate a book to the selfie?
“Selfies are the way a lot of people now communicate with the world. As a Latino who has family all over I clearly saw a need to show people some of the tricks I’ve learned about photography and makeup from my 20+ year career.”
There are some beautiful shades of bright lipsticks featured in the book. Is this something we should skip now that it’s fall? What are the rules?
“Rules? (laughs) It is important to just feel comfortable with your look and to not let it wear you. For instance, a bright gloss in the middle of winter can really make you look and feel better!”
What are your top three selfie tips?
1- It’s all about the light- Find it, follow it or create it
2- Practice makes best- Take as many selfies to make sure you get to know your face and its best angles- don’t be afraid- you can always erase the bad ones!
3- When in doubt and don’t know what to do- SMILE! There’s nothing like a confident smile to say that you are feeling and looking great!
True of False: Lighting is as important as your makeup.
True! However we know have products that can help to create light and attract the viewer’s eye to certain areas of the face. A favorite of mine is a highlighter, Mary Kay Sheer Dimensions Powder in Pearls.
True or False: Foundations with SPF or those made of minerals make your face appear white in a photo?
Well, sort of true. Foundations with zinc based SPF will have a lightening effect. Take a selfie with a flash at night and test it but I usually like to compensate with one shade darker of foundation if it does have SPF or use a bronzer to warm up the complexion. No matter what SPF protection is a must and you can’t ignore.
One great product to try that doesn’t make your face appear white as it is sheer enough but yet powerful enough to protect skin and hide flaws is, Mary Kay CC Cream Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 15.
Why is keeping your skin hydrated important— especially in the fall/winter months?
“Indoor heaters dry up the skin. Colder, dry weather will wreak havoc on your skin. Even if you feel your skin is oily you still need to moisturize. You will notice the difference if you don’t. I love to use moisture masks or products that you can use day and night to help your skin renew itself. This goes to the lips as well and all over your body!”