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What lasts longer than your makeup at an event? The photos and videos that capture it from every angle. That means your glam isn’t just about how it looks in the mirror, but how it performs on camera, under harsh lighting and unforgiving flashes.
To break it down, E! spoke to celebrity makeup artist Elaine Offers, the artist behind Lisa Kudrow’s glam on Season 3 of The Comeback, as well as looks for Sarah Jessica Parker and Julianne Moore. She shared the makeup essentials you'll need, plus how to look really, really good in photos.
- Easy-to-blend complexion stick: Ogee Sculpted Complexion Foundation Stick
- $5 color corrector: e.l.f. Camo Color Corrector for Dark Circles
- Blush that looks natural on camera: Neen Going Rouge
If you’ve got a big event coming up like a graduation, wedding, party, or yes, even the Met Gala (hey, it could happen!)—you’ll want to keep these on-camera makeup tips in mind.
Offers explains: “Camera lighting tends to flatten features and wash out dimension. The goal is more makeup, applied strategically, so it still reads fresh and natural on screen.”
Complexion first
“A well-blended medium-to-full coverage foundation is key. Make sure to carry it down the neck and onto the chest so everything reads seamlessly on camera,” she shared.
We love the buildable option below from Ogee. It's super easy to blend and comes in so many shades!
Ogee Sculpted Complexion Foundation Stick
This creamy, smooth, blendable formula delivers buildable coverage with a natural, second-skin finish. Botanical actives support elasticity and smoothness for a firmer-looking, radiant complexion. Choose from many colors.
Color-correcting is key
No need to try every color of the rainbow to get your dark circles in check. “Peach-toned correctors help neutralize dark under-eyes,” she shared. “Apply directly where needed, then layer concealer.”
We curated a combo below that will instantly brighten. Shop the e.l.f. Camo Color Corrector for Dark Circles and the Ogee Complexion Perfecting Concealer for the brightest under-eyes.
e.l.f. Camo Color Corrector for Dark Circles
This peachy, orange shade works miracles for reducing the look of everything from dark circles to bruising from injectables.
Ogee Complexion Perfecting Concealer
This skincare-first formula delivers medium, buildable coverage that brightens under-eyes while seamlessly concealing dark circles, blemishes, and redness–without settling or creasing. Choose from many shades.
Brows matter
"Groomed, well-shaped brows frame the face," she advised. "Fill in sparse areas with a pencil, powder, or gel for structure without looking heavy."
Anastasia Beverly Hills ArchiBrow Microblade Hair-Like Eyebrow Detailing Pencil
An ultrathin, blade-tipped brow pencil that delivers hair-like strokes with 12-hour wear—for natural, microblade-looking brows.
Layer your blush
“Start with a cream blush before powder, then set with a sheer powder blush. This builds dimension that holds up under flash,” she explained.
Neen Going Rouge
I'm personally a big fan of Neen's Going Rouge. It's pigmented, dewy, and blends really well. Choose from many colors.
HAUS LABS Color Fuse Talc-Free Blush Powder With Fermented Arnica
Talc-free blush with redness reducing fermented arnica and hydrating squalane and hydraberry. Choose from a few shades.
Be strategic with powder
“Focus on the center of the face (forehead, around brows, mid-face) and let the outer areas retain a natural glow,” she explained.
She shared that overdoing shine is one of the biggest mistakes you can make with on-camera makeup. "Excessive highlighter or shimmery bronzer can read greasy or overly reflective on camera, especially under flash. A more controlled, balanced finish always looks more elevated,” she said.
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Refillable Blurring & Setting Powder
This ultra-fine setting powder is designed to blur imperfections and visibly reduce shine.
Choose luminosity over color payoff
Although eye shadow is back, a pop of color isn’t always best when it comes to looking your best on camera. “For eyes, a soft, light-reflective finish is more flattering than overly saturated pigment,” she said.
Neen Pretty Shady
Neen eyeshadows are easily blendable and never crease. Choose from many colors. We adore the light-reflective finish of the shade "beam."
Elevate with lashes
You don’t need to go full strip lash to elevate your look. “A half lash or a few individuals can subtly enhance the eye without feeling overdone,” she said.
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