With the rise of remote work and virtual meetings, how we present ourselves on camera has become a new focus. While it’s tempting to keep your camera off, looking fresh and polished for Zoom calls can make you feel more confident and engaged. The key is learning how to apply makeup that looks natural yet professional on screen. This guide will walk you through the best makeup products and tips for virtual meetings, making sure you’re camera-ready without feeling overdone.
Why Makeup Looks Different on Camera
Before we get into application tips, it’s important to understand why makeup can look different on camera than in person. The camera can often wash out your natural features, making your face look flat or dull. Lighting also plays a huge role in how your makeup shows up. Harsh or poor lighting can either highlight every imperfection or make you look overly pale.
To counter this, Bobbi Brown, a renowned makeup artist, suggests keeping makeup light and natural for virtual meetings: “For virtual meetings, less is more. Focus on a fresh, natural look with a good concealer, a bit of blush, and a touch of mascara. The camera can exaggerate heavy makeup, so keep it light and natural” (Vogue). With that in mind, let’s dive into the best products and tips for your virtual beauty routine.
Prepping Your Skin for Virtual Success
Before you even reach for makeup, prepping your skin is the foundation of any good look. Well-moisturized skin helps makeup glide on smoothly and ensures it lasts longer. Start with a gentle cleanser and follow up with a lightweight moisturizer.
Using a primer can also make a world of difference. Pat McGrath, makeup artist and founder of Pat McGrath Labs, advises that “A good primer can help your makeup last longer, and a bit of lip color can brighten your face” (Allure). Primers create a smooth canvas, minimize pores, and help makeup stay in place, which is essential for those long Zoom sessions.
Step-by-Step Makeup Tips for Zoom Calls
1. Keep the Base Light and Natural
The first rule of Zoom makeup is to avoid heavy foundation. Cameras can exaggerate cakey or thick makeup, making it look unnatural. Instead, opt for a tinted moisturizer or light foundation that evens out your skin tone without covering it up too much. Lisa Eldridge, a renowned makeup artist, suggests, “Avoid heavy foundation; instead, use a tinted moisturizer for a more natural look” (Elle).
Recommended Products:
- Tinted Moisturizer: A good tinted moisturizer offers light coverage while keeping your skin looking fresh. Look for formulas with SPF to protect your skin from blue light exposure from your screen.
- Concealer: For any areas that need a little extra coverage, like dark circles or blemishes, use a lightweight concealer that blends easily.
For those looking for lightweight coverage that still provides a flawless finish, check out Patrick Ta’s collection of foundations. These foundations are perfect for virtual meetings, offering a natural look that evens out your skin tone without feeling heavy.
2. Brighten Up Your Eyes
Your eyes are one of the most important features to focus on during virtual meetings. Since Zoom tends to wash out facial features, you’ll want to enhance your eyes so they stand out on camera. Start by defining your brows with a brow pencil or powder. Well-groomed brows frame the face and make you look more put-together.
Next, add a bit of eyeliner along the upper lash line to make your eyes pop. Skip heavy eyeshadows and opt for neutral tones that blend well. Lisa Eldridge recommends focusing on a well-defined brow and a subtle liner for virtual meetings (Elle).
Recommended Products:
- Eyebrow Pencil or Powder: Filling in your brows can instantly lift your face, giving a more polished look.
- Eyeliner: A soft pencil or liquid liner along the upper lash line enhances your eyes without being too bold for the camera.
To shape and define your brows for Zoom calls, a good brow wax can make all the difference. Patrick Ta’s Major Brow Shaping Wax helps keep brows in place while giving them a natural, polished look that holds throughout the day.
3. A Pop of Color with Blush and Highlighter
One of the most important tips for Zoom calls is to avoid looking washed out. The camera can often dull your natural skin tone, so adding a bit of color is crucial. Blush adds warmth to your face, making you look healthy and awake. Smile and apply blush to the apples of your cheeks, blending it out towards your temples for a natural flush.
Charlotte Tilbury, another famous makeup artist, emphasizes the importance of highlighting: “A flawless base with a bit of highlighter on the high points of your face can make you look more awake and vibrant on camera” (Harper’s Bazaar). Lightly dust highlighter on the tops of your cheekbones and the bridge of your nose for a subtle glow.
Recommended Products:
- Cream or Powder Blush: Cream blushes are great for a natural, dewy finish, while powder blushes offer a more matte look.
- Highlighter: A liquid or powder highlighter can give your skin that extra glow, perfect for Zoom lighting.
4. The Perfect Lip Color
Although lip color may not seem as important on a virtual call, it can make a noticeable difference in how vibrant your face looks on camera. The key is to avoid anything too bold or too pale. A soft, natural lip color, like a pink or peach shade, will brighten your face without drawing too much attention.
For me, a soft lip balm with a hint of color always does the trick. I once used a bright red lipstick on a Zoom call, only to realize later that it looked too harsh on camera. A simple tinted balm made my lips look just right—healthy and natural without being overwhelming.
Recommended Products:
- Tinted Lip Balm: For a soft wash of color, tinted balms are perfect. They hydrate your lips while adding a bit of shine.
- Lipstick: If you prefer lipstick, choose one in a soft, neutral shade that complements your skin tone.
Lighting and Camera Setup
Makeup isn’t the only factor in looking great on camera. Lighting can make or break your appearance during virtual meetings. As Charlotte Tilbury points out, “Lighting is key for virtual meetings. Use a ring light to ensure your face is well-lit” (Harper’s Bazaar). Natural light is best, so position yourself facing a window if possible. If natural light isn’t an option, invest in a ring light or use a lamp to brighten your face evenly.
Pro Tip: Camera Angles Matter
Place your camera slightly above eye level and angle it down slightly to avoid any unflattering views. This also helps with showing off your makeup in the best possible way. It may seem like a small adjustment, but it can greatly improve how you look on camera.
Final Touches: Setting Spray and Powders
To make sure your makeup lasts throughout long virtual meetings, finish off with a setting spray or a light dusting of translucent powder. This helps keep shine at bay and ensures your makeup stays in place, even if your meeting runs overtime.
A study from the Journal of Business and Psychology highlights that during video conferencing, people are more likely to focus on their facial appearance, so subtle makeup application can enhance your professional look (Journal of Business and Psychology). Setting your makeup with a long-lasting spray ensures you’ll look fresh all day.
Recommended Products:
- Setting Spray: A setting spray locks in your makeup, keeping it intact and camera-ready.
- Translucent Powder: If you have oily skin, a translucent powder will help control shine without adding extra layers of makeup.
If you’re looking for a step-by-step guide to perfecting your Zoom makeup look, this Zoom Makeup Tutorial offers great tips for applying makeup for video calls, like Zoom, FaceTime, and Skype. It walks you through each step, ensuring you’re camera-ready with minimal effort.
Conclusion: Confidence on Camera
Looking polished on Zoom doesn’t require a lot of effort or heavy makeup. With the right products and a few simple techniques, you can achieve a natural, camera-ready look that enhances your features without feeling overdone. From a light base to a pop of blush and defined eyes, these tips will help you feel confident and professional in every virtual meeting.
Makeup artists like Bobbi Brown, Charlotte Tilbury, Lisa Eldridge, and Pat McGrath have all stressed the importance of natural, well-lit looks for virtual meetings. By focusing on the right areas, like brightening your eyes and adding subtle color to your face, you can look and feel your best on camera.
Incorporating these makeup tips into your daily routine will ensure you always feel prepared for your next Zoom call, no matter how spontaneous. And remember, it’s not just about how you look but how confident you feel—because when you feel good, it shows!
