Any boudoir photographer will tell you there are two questions we get asked more frequently than any others. The first is usually asking for help with posing – which I cover in detail here – and the second is asking for help with hair and make up!

Hair and make up is a very personal choice, and with so many styles and options available, perfecting your boudoir hair and make up can feel daunting, especially if you don’t feel that comfortable weilding a pair of super hot curling tongs an inch from your scalp! I want you to look and feel amazing on the day of your boudoir shoot, which is why all of my boudoir packages come with complimentary professional styling. I want you to look and feel like the very best version of you, and my team of hair and make up artists are on hand to make that happen.

My stylists can take as much or as little input from you for what look you’d like to go for at your shoot. Got a solid idea in your head of what you want? Great! Alternatively, they are always willing to suggest styles they think would suit you.

As there’s quite a lot to cover, I’ve split this blog post into two posts, one for hair and the other for make up. For boudoir hair ideas, check back next week. For boudoir make up ideas, read on! 

Anna Swiczniuk’s Instagram feed is a makeup lovers’ treasure; a creative mastermind, she puts together the most incredible makeup looks coupled with what I can only imagine is the most sparkly wardrobe ever! It’s not a ‘classic’ boudoir look but shows that you can go as big and bright as you want and look SENSATIONAL. Anna’s skin is very matte to make her look almost doll-like and otherworldly. If you prefer a dewy finish to your skin, you can ask your makeup artist and they’ll be only too happy to help you.

Miss Deadly Red‘s soft pink and purple eyeshadow fitted beautifully with the lingerie, and in keeping with the location too. It’s not overly noticeable until you look closely but there’s a touch of blue in the inner corner of her eye, which really makes her eyes pop. If eyes are your thing, ask your makeup artist to make a feature of them.

Didi Derriere‘s grey matte smoky eye is a classic Hollywood starlet look which suits everyone. It will look sensational on anyone (and of any age too) and Didi absolutely rocks it here. Whenever there is a client who says they can’t wear red lipstick, there’s a delightful look spread across their face when a makeup artist finds the right one. Believe me; there’s a red lipstick out there for everyone!

Emerald Fontaine: You can dare to bare as much or as little as you like in a boudoir shoot; whatever you wear for the shoot, it’s about making you feel and look incredible! This nude glossed lip, with cut crease and larger than life eyelashes, makes Emmerald Fontaine look every inch a 1960’s film star, coupled with the off the shoulder little black dress. The makeup complimented the outfit wonderfully.

Jessebelle Thunder‘s deep plummy purple lipstick was a divine coupling with her gold sequin burlesque costume. I’m a fan of big lashes, but we won’t go too big else you can lose the detail of your eye makeup. Your makeup artist will be able to put these on for you during your complimentary boudoir styling session.

Miss Victory Violet: Beautiful red lips and black eyeliner, but just look at that flawless glowing skin. As well as a photographer, I’m a retoucher and make a point of not over-editing skin or changing the shape of any of your facial features in Photoshop. I don’t have to worry about needing to do that when I work with talented stylists though, because my makeup artists make sure you are camera ready. Miss Victory Violet did her own makeup for this shoot, and when we do our makeover tours across Europe, she’s in charge of them then too! Now you can see clearly why 😉

Inspired? Get in touch and let’s put a date in the diary! Make sure you also have a read of these blogs to find out what you should wear and some inside information about how to pose – time to get excited!