In LaLaLand, everyone has a headshot. It doesn’t matter who you are, what you do, you are expected to have a headshot. LivingSocial even offers deals for headshots – that’s how ubiquitous they are.
Even I had some test headshots taken a while back by a friend and I’m what, a blogger/faux makeup artist (just because I have a “kit” and occasionally do makeup on other people doesn’t mean I’m a makeup artist). It was something casual and totally last minute so I’m not entirely in love with them. Plus I just stood there and smiled goofily for the majority of the time. But it still worked quite well for my Twitter avatar for a while, no?
Earlier today I redid my headshots, for what, I don’t know, but Dow-An, my Autumn English partner, told me to do it so I did. She did pay for the photographer via a LivingSocial deal so if she says I am to have pretty headshots, I shall have them. (Totally off topic but still funny – a while ago I found an old letter from Dow-An which she called herself “Gloria’s Queen.” That girl! Always bossing me around but it’s kind of funny)
Usually I’ll love to take fancy pictures but I totally dreaded it. I felt so tired, ugly, and looked more like a zombie than a human. If I were in Miami cops would probably shoot me on site even if I’m not eating some dude’s face. It’s really that awful! My skin is all dull with yucky uneven bumps, a big pimple that appeared out of no where on my left chin, and undereye circles so dark and sunken, it’s really quite gross. Plus I’m having a major episode of seborrheic dermatitis outbreak, meaning my scalp is all scabby and dandruff-y.
It’s not like I want to be all ugly and shit day after day. I just haven’t had ANY TIME or ENERGY to beautify myself. I haven’t worn makeup or turned on any heating tools for almost a month! YES, IT’S BEEN THAT BAD!! Between commuting an hour to work each way, a wacky work schedule that includes 6:30 am start times, and 2 demanding reporting classes, I’m drained by the time I get home. I literally just zone out when I have any down time!
Anyhow….. back to my headshot. Obviously miracles need to happen before I get in front of a camera. Photoshop can only fix soooo much without completely morphing me into some whole other person.
So here’s was my game plan to get me from zombie to hottie (or as hot as I could go) in one day:
1. Whiten my teeth – You can imagine how much coffee I drink just to get through the day. Seriously, I have to drink coffee before I drive home or else I’ll fall asleep at the wheel. Plus some of you know of my dirty lil habit that stains my teeth so horribly. But you know what REALLY works super fast in times like this? The Crest 3D White 2 Hour Express. No lies, no BS, this works in 2 hours! My gums are a tad sensitive but it’s totally worth it. If you are better at planning than I am, use the Crest 3D White Intensive
Professional Effects Whitestrips. Wear these for 2 hours for 7 days and bam, your teeth will be celebrity white!
Crest 3D 2 Hour Express Whitestrips TOTALLY works!
2. Exfoliate – I’m actually pretty good exfoliating my face daily thanks to ProActiv’s Renewing Cleanser. It’s a daily exfoliant cleanser that really does work. Again, no lies, no BS – ProActiv friggin works. I flat out REFUSED to try it for 10+ years, but NewBeauty editor Susan Yara swears it’s the only thing that works so I gave it a whirl. The night before I took my headshot, I not only exfoliated using this cleanser, but I used it with a Clarisonic. Yep, that’s right! I squirted a dime size amount of the Renewing Cleanser right on top of my Clarisonic and went to town for 2 whole minutes. IT FELT AMAZING AND MY SKIN GLOWED! How’s that for a double whammy?
Deep cleanse for a better exfoliation with the Clarisonic – now in super cute colors and prints!
3. Give yourself a gentle facial – Treat your skin’s biggest concern immediately. Dry skin? Use a hydrating mask. UBER dull skin that step 2 didn’t fix? A gentle chemical peel like the Brazilian Peel. I thought the Brazilian Peel would hurt like a mofo since it’s marketed to contain 30% glycolic acid, but it didn’t. It does warm up slightly and make your face tingle, then the peel self-neutralizes after 10 minutes and is filled with a bunch of fancy anti-oxidants that make your skin healthier. While you should do this once a week for 4 weeks for optimal glow, using it just once makes a huge difference.
The Brazilian Peel has nothing to do with your hoohas – it just makes your clean glowier and brighter!
My biggest concern however is acne, so I opted for ProActiv’s Clear Purifying Mask to zap those pimples out of sight. This particular acne mask is a fave because it doesn’t dry out the rest of your skin. It’s still super soothing and does not feel like a typical acne mask. The only downside is the yicky rotten egg smell, but you rinse it off after 10-15 minutes so it’s not a big deal.
And voila – in about 3 hours you’ll look so much better, and yes, camera ready!
My shoot went surprisingly well. I always feel awkward and self-conscious in front of the camera, but my photographer Lana Kats was really professional and gave great tips. If something wasn’t working she’ll let me know and have me try something else.
Do you have great tips on getting the best headshot? Do share!
Sneak peek of my makeup from my phone!
