Welcome back, beauties! Today, I’m excited to share with you an inside look into one of my recent brand photo shoots with the incredibly talented Alicia Leigh Photography. But what truly makes this shoot special is my repeat client, who hails all the way from Honduras. She’s not just any client; she’s a boss babe (I wish I could find a different word than that, not my fav) with an infectious ambition and an adorable personality that lights up the room. Join me as I unravel the secrets behind her effortlessly chic makeup and hair transformation.

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As a natural makeup artist based in Austin, TX, I often encounter clients who want a modern yet natural look. My recent client was no exception. She loves makeup and hair that showcases a sense of effortlessness, but not too messy while still accentuating her natural beauty. One key aspect she emphasized was her reluctance to wear an excessive amount of makeup and not having perefectly in pplace hair, which I get! Perfectly placed hair and pageant-y makeup is definitely not something my creative lens gravitates towards. She wanted to look radiant in photos but remain true to herself, even after editing the photos. With her preferences in mind, I dove in to create a look that would enhance her features without overpowering her natural beauty.

The Radiant Skin Prep:
A flawless makeup look always begins with a radiant canvas. To achieve this, we started with a simple skin prep. Hydration is important, so we opted for a lightweight moisturizer to nourish her skin from within. A non glittery liquid illuminator helped create a radiant and luminous base, ensuring her skin glowed from every angle. By prioritizing this prep and keeping it simple, we laid the foundation for a makeup look that would not only look stunning in photos but also feel comfortable and breathable throughout the shoot.

Creating Dimension without Overwhelming:
I absolutely love the delicate balance between creating dimension and maintaining a natural aesthetic. With a careful eye, I artfully crafted a makeup look that accentuated her features without veering into heavy-handed contouring territory. I created a little bit of bronzing for dimension to make it more natural. For the eyes, which were the focal point of her look, I chose to highlight rather than overpower. By selecting subtle shades to create dimension and using subtle techniques, I enhanced the natural beauty of her eyes without overshadowing them. The result? A beautifully framed eye without stealing the spotlight from her beautiful features. Ya’ll know my goal is for you to always keep people guessing as to why you look so fresh and amazing! I never want the makeup to take center stage. I want YOU and your features to be the focus.

The Hair: I prefer to embrace my clients’ natural hair texture, refining and enhancing it to maintain authenticity. By working in harmony with their natural hair, rather than against it, I not only achieve better results but also ensure longevity. Altering the hair too drastically can often lead to it reverting back to its original state, especially in certain climates where humidity plays a role. By respecting the hair’s natural texture, fine tuning it to look polished, I ensure that my styling efforts look like you and stay in place longer.

Embracing Individuality:
In a world where trends come and go, I firmly believe in celebrating each individual’s unique beauty. While bold eyeshadow looks may dominate the current scene, I’m passionate about highlighting the beauty of one’s eyes in a way that feels authentic and timeless. My client’s eyes were the showstopper, and my goal was to frame them in a manner that accentuated them without overpowering them. Working with her features rather than against them by trying to change them, we achieved a look that felt all her own.

As I reflect on this photo shoot, I’m reminded of the transformative power of natural makeup and hair. Beyond enhancing one’s appearance, they have the ability to uplift, inspire, and empower and make you feel powerful. Her response, “It’s my most favorite look ever!”

From radiant skin prep to subtle eye enhancements, every step of the process was a testament to the beauty of embracing one’s natural features. And as my client radiated confidence in front of the camera, it was evident that true beauty lies not in conformity to trends, but in the celebration of each persons individual and unique features. Here’s to embracing your uniqueness! Until next time, stay beautiful!

*Photo Credit: Alicia Leigh Photography