Multi use items: Cream blush

This weeks multi use item post will be short and sweet. A cream blush, like Miracle Touch Creamy Blush from Max Factor, can be used for many things, the most basic being as a touch of colour on your cheeks. But did you know that makeup artists also use it as matte lip colour and creamy eye shadow on the catwalks? Try blending two shades together, on lips as well as eyelids, use your fingers and just tone it for different fun, but discrete effects! Make sure that it dries on your lids before you open your eyes fully.
Note: Creamy products should always be used before powder products and should be set with a transparent powder. If you use a powder first, the cream product won't go on evenly or stay on your skin and will most likely crumble.

Top 5: Photo tips

The past couple of days, I've been working on the launch of my latest spring collection for my fashion brand, frk.C. One of the biggest parts of the brand is the photo shoot, so I wanted to take this opportunity to write down my five top tips for looking great on a photo!

Step 1 - Makeup
A professional camera with flash will take away around 75% of all makeup you wear. It will also enhance all imperfections, bruises, blemishes, dark circles etc. so makeup is important! Put some extra blush on your cheeks, use eye shadow to deepen the impact of your eyes (use skin tones and earthy colours if you don't want to look too made up) and use a highlighter on all parts that is touched by the light, forehead, cheekbones, eyebrow bones, collar bones etc.

Step 2 - Clothes
A photograph doesn't move. A garment that might look good outside of the camera, might not look as good in front of it. Be prepared that garments do lose a bit of shape on a photo, the flat image won't be able to give you all the nuances a human eye can. Put a belt in your dress or your hands on your waist, twist and turn your body to make sure you don't come out looking like a potato sack. Try exaggerating proportions with a flowing skirt and tight top.

Step 3 - Posture
Do you know the classic model pose where they push their shoulders so far forward that they almost look like pretty hunchbacks? That only works if you have the same bone structure as they do. Try to push your shoulders back, lengthen your neck and stand proud! Exaggerate your posing, move around and try different things. Keep one thing in mind, everything that's closer to the camera will look bigger, while everything further away will look smaller. Even the skinniest girl can look pregnant on a photo if she stands straight in front of the camera with her back arched in a natural arch. Try to twist your body a little sideways instead. If you're worried about your hips and thigh area, push your hips a little backwards. That way you will look smaller on camera. Practice different poses in front of the mirror, then you'll be more comfortable in front of the camera and know better what poses fit your body. But most importantly, relax. Have a glass of wine and a good laugh now and then, it will help relax your muscles.
Someone once said that he puts all models in high heels before a photo shoot, even if they're just taking a photo from the waist up. High heels change your posture and the way you stand, your whole look. Try it!

Step 4 - Preparations
There are some easy things you can do if you know that you're going to take a picture. Avoid having a heavy dinner the night before, exfoliate your face and body, use plenty of moisturizer and drink a lot of water.

Step 5 - Thought
Your thoughts will show up in the photos, so will the absence of thought. Invent a story! Who are you and why are you standing there in front of the camera? Who are you taking the picture for? Is it for a lover, your family or goofing for your friends? Don't act it. Be it. It will show and make it much easier and so much more fun!