Be yourself, when it comes to Senior portraits, drastically changing your hair can be a big mistake, we have all had a bad haircut, and the last thing you want is to come to your session upset about your hair. 

This include color(at least a week prior if it's a normal color you use often, so it has time to settle in), cuts, perms, etc...if you've never tried it before, right now is not an ideal time. 

If you prefer a simplistic hair style, go for it! Just be sure to brush it before the session and keep your brush with you for quick comb outs when needed. If you have lots of baby hairs that take off on you, bring a smoothing serum and hairspray but let Alysia or her assistant help you with the application so as not to make your hair appear greasy. Please have the main style of your hair complete prior to arrival. 

If you plan to do a messy bun with an outfit and hair down for another, plan accordingly. Start with it down, then put it up, to keep bumps out of the hair this type of retouching will require an additional fee.  Same with bobby pins, get the color that matches your hair. (Photo Credit: o-women-standing-together-facebook.)

SKIN IS WHERE IT STARTS – this is your canvas, and you should know your canvas before painting. Is your skin dry or oily skin, or combination? Does your makeup work well with your canvas? If not, seek a professional, I will list some below.

If you don’t know your skin type, as a young woman it's important that you learn. Speak with a professional at least once in your life, take care of your skin, you don't get a second skin.

I am am the photoshop wizard, so DO NOT STRESS OVER BREAKOUTS! I offer retouching at no extra charge on all images that are purchased, as a courtesy because "pimples happen" to us all!

Start pampering your skin 2-3 weeks before your session.  This should be a complete regimen of cleansing, exfoliation, and moisturizing. I say two to three weeks in case the first couple of days your regimen isn't working well enough you have time to make adjustments.  

TANNING

The only type of tanning we recommend prior to your senior portrait session is natural light tanning at the beach or a pool.  We’ve found that other methods (spray, tanning bed etc) can be blotchy, and noticeably unnatural.  Remember, natural tanning requires bathing suits in most areas, and tan lines will show up very obviously in strapless or tank style tops. Consider this prior to choosing your swim suit top if tanning near your session date.  (Photo Credit: Exquisite Premier Salon & Spa - TX)

Let's talk about the makeup you are going to put on top of that beautiful canvas that you have learned about!

FOUNDATION

A great base coat is necessity, and so important to get it right underneath of everything else! So how do you choose the right foundation?  Simple, no dew finish or shimmer, no reflective properties, no spf, myself and most Senior portrait makeup pros will agree, keep it matte on the base, as much as possible.

CONCEALER

If you aren't sure how concealer works, again, speak to a pro. Getting the shades right and using it in the right places like dark circles or very red blemishes is key.  Be sure to run the concealer for dark circles under the eye down toward the tip of your nose, creating a sort of triangular shape and blending it in with a sponge or even your fingers if done gently it works well.  You can apply it to the nose bridge and above the arches of your eyebrows, but use it sparingly in these places so as not to make your nose seem awkwardly thin or pointy.

POWDER

Powder can make it or break it as far as looks go, it's important you know the right powder to use over liquid or cream makeups foundation.  Make sure to use a color that perfectly matches your skin! Stick to matte powder as well, and take a few selfies the week before, so that if your poster doesn't match your seasonal skin tone, you can adjust accordingly for the time of year. Winter and summer skin is not the same and neither is the makeup you use during these times.

BRONZER

Bronzer is a fantastic contour option if used correctly, overdo it and you won't like the result in photos! Rule of thumb, just graze the underneath of the cheekbone's fullest point just above the ear to the slightly above the lips and under the chin a little brush can go along way in defining the jawline!  Again, no shimmer or dewy looks are needed here either.

BLUSH

Brushing the blush just above the bronzer always adds a nice transition from the highlighted area to the bronzed area. Unless you want to look like a clown doll, use it gently, a little goes a long way.  (Photo Credit: 29skincombo-facebook.lumbo)

Eyes are said to be the windows into the soul, eye make-up is as unique as the person wearing it. We each have differently shaped eyes and like to apply eye makeup differently. 

EYEBROWS

The last thing you want to do is look at your pics and think "holy eyebrows", painting them in is not necessary, but a tiny bit of definition can be added without being too obvious.  It's important that you have your eyebrows waxed about two weeks before, so that you have time to play with shading them, not coloring them in.  Just like you learned in school, color between the lines or your natural eyebrow line.  Less is more, and will add just enough to the overall look of your eyes, drawing the viewer into your eyes, which should be a focal point. 

EYE SHADOW

There are tons of colors you could play with regarding eyeshadow palettes...but unless this is fashion shoot, too much color can clown it up a bit.  Learn about colors that bring out your eyes, and make your eyes pop.  There are tons of tutorials online for ways to add color the right way! There are so many different colors available. Pick something that will accent your eye color.  If your whites of your eyes tend to be a bit dull, Alysia suggests a few eye drops prior, to make your whites stand out and that will accentuate the coloring of your eyes! 

EYELINER

If you haven't played with different ways to line your eyes, DO IT! You may find that there are better ways to line them, and depending on your shape, some styles of lining can actually open they eyes up, while others close them down giving a smaller appearance and less flattering look in photos.

MASCARA

NO MATTER WHAT EVERY GIRL MUST HAVE THIS ON HER PHOTO DAY...IF YOU WEAR NOTHING ELSE, WEAR THIS!  Be sure to get one that doesn't clump leaving a spider leg look on your lashes. If you use any with fiber, be sure the fibers don't end up on your cheeks instead.  A personal tip from Alysia...Keep a sewing needle handy, to separate lashes if a few clump without having to start all over, the needle slides gently between wet mascara covered lashes for separation! (Photo Credit: timthumb.php)

GET MULTIPLE LOOKS ON THE SAME DAY...start off light or nude look, and then spruce it up with bold color just like your personality! 

LIP LINER

A super important detail is lip liner...more important than most realize.  Find the exact shade of your full color you choose for your lips, or a slight shade deeper. Liners will keep your lipsticks from bleeding into the corners of your mouth or on hot days sweating as though a pan of water had been thrown at you and your face is dripping off. For nude looks, clear liner is great!

LIP-GLOSS VS LIPSTICK

This one is all about your own personal preference. Gloss or sticks? As long as you use something, Alysia will be happy...the last thin you want is lips that look dry and cracked, so if color isn't your thing, chap stick works wonders.  You will probably need to reapply, so be sure to have your lip items with you.

FOR SMOOTHER LIPS…

For the week before your session, use your toothbrush to brush your lips vigorously, while brushing your teeth at night.  Then apply chapstick to your lips and off to bed. This will make your lips smooth and ready for lipstick the next day. Chapped lips don’t photograph well, and add age to any photo. (Photo Credit: Chenese Bean Makeup Artistry, Glam by CheneseBean)