Smilebox Blog

When it comes to pictures, don’t rely on the photographer to make you look great. Fortunately, no matter who is taking the picture, you can take matters in your own hand by borrowing a few tricks of the trade. Discover how celebrities manage to look their best to even the most unkind of the paparazzi.

Prepare

Maggie Gyllenhaal has enough mascara and liner to show up on camera, but not too much eye shadow to look overdone.

• Wear the right clothes.
  • Of course, avoid horizontal stripes if you’re trying to look trim.
  • Wear solids whenever possible. They are less distracting and more flattering on the figure. Black, in particular, is slimming because it hides the outline of your body.
• For the ladies – Makeup always looks different under the harsh light of a flash, so when in doubt, just remember that less is more.
• Be aware of your location.
  • Stay away from fluorescent lighting.
  • If you have dark hair, don’t stand too close to a wall as the shadow behind you may become part of your hairstyle once the picture is developed.

The stance

Kim Cattrall poses to look thinner.

• Angle your body to look slimmer.
  • Stand diagonally towards the camera to obscure the outline of your body.
• Angle your front shoulder down to elongate your neck and make you look more relaxed.
• Don’t slouch!
• If you’re seated, extend your neck and tip your chin down slightly. This will help you avoid double chins and up-the-nose shots.
• To make your nose look smaller, face the camera head on or try tilting your head back to make it look shorter.

The smile

Jennifer Aniston knows how to make them sparkle.

• Make your eyes sparkle by allowing the light to catch your eyes – just try looking into the sun enough so that it’s a little uncomfortable.
• If you struggle to keep your eyes open for a picture, keep them closed until the count of “3.”
• To avoid red-eye, look a little above or below the camera so the flash doesn’t hit your eyes straight-on.