top of page

More  Blogs

Flash Photography Dilemma! Tips for Flash Photography Makeup | Indian Makeup Beauty Blog

Many of us have gone through that phase when we really take the time and get ready for an event... make sure our makeup is perfect, hair is lovely and our dress is all ironed and draped beautifully and flowing! :) However, when you see all the pics from the event, you get the shock of your life seeing a horrible white cast on your face from your makeup or sometimes your face look all shiny and glittery or at times you get this powdery cakey finish. (One event that comes to our mind is South Indian Actress Nazriya Nazim's wedding... Remember!) What exactly happened there??? If you actually see her wedding pics from the album, she looks perfectly fine... beautiful as always... but on the day of the event, her face looked as though she had a white cast. WHY??

I have the answer to that...

Source: Internet search engines,copyright with respective owners. Shared only for information

There were many press photographers present during the event and they used FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY... and her foundation flashed back. In my personal opinion, I think the makeup artist did a good job with blending the foundation well so it did not look THAT BAD. The whole media and audience went BALLISTIC seeing her makeup. They heavily criticized the makeup artist, Avinash Chetia for over-doing her makeup and making her look really cakey and plastered. To ask a cine-artist who is highly popular like Nazriya, who is constantly groomed... who got a SABYASACHI LEHENGA for her wedding, do you suppose she wants to look all NATURAL for her wedding? The makeup artist went for a Mughal inspired look for her based on her attire, unfortunately, the foundation and flash photography did not do justice to neither of them and whole of Kerala went crazy seeing their favourite actress made to look so plastered! Forget about Nazriya's case.. I know many of your have faced the same issue with photography makeup and we blame it on the foundation. It is indeed a big dilemma and question for many of you out there. However, the question lies here if you have actually used the right products suitable for Flash Photography? The answer is No.

So, what do you exactly do you do to avoid such flash back in your pictures??

Why does your skin looks white and pale when there is flash photography taken??? There are several reasons for this.

Source: Internet search engines,copyright with respective owners. Shared only for information

It can be your moisturiser, foundation, concealer or your setting powder. Any product that contain SPF WILL flashback! If you intend to take flash photography there are certain key points you definitely need to note.

1) Avoid any moisturiser, foundation, concealer and powder that contain above SPF 10.

Source: Internet search engines,copyright with respective owners. Shared only for information

2) If a product does not show the label SPF, it does not mean the product does not contain the ingredients for it! Always look for product ingredients that contain TITANIUM DIOXIDE and/or ZINC OXIDE in it. If a product contains this, it means the product contains SPF.​

Source: Internet search engines,copyright with respective owners. Shared only for information

3) Avoid using any micro HD powders to set your foundation or concealer as this contains SILICA that can bounce back light emitting particles. This causes a white cast during flash photography where the powder is used. These powders are beautiful and finely milled which is perfect for HD videos and NOT AT ALL meant for flash photography. Use a coloured powder to set your foundation than an HD powder.

Source: Internet search engines,copyright with respective owners. Shared only for information

4) Avoid using too much shimmers/glitters on your face if flash photography has to be taken. Use shimmer or glitters only on your eyes and keep the rest of your face free from such highlighting products. Use a soft highlighter above your cheekbones for that slight GLOW but do not use too much that you might end up looking like a disco-ball.

Source: Internet search engines,copyright with respective owners. Shared only for information

5) Never use your concealer more than 2 shades lighter under your eyes. This can cause a white cast to form under your eyes as well and make it look ashy/grey, especially on people with yellow undertones in their skin.

Source: Internet search engines,copyright with respective owners. Shared only for information

6) Avoid using foundations that have a very oily/dewy/glowing finish when flash photography is taken. These foundations will reflect back making your face look too shiny and oily. It can also make your pores visibly large. Always get a matte / semi-matte finish look if flash photography will be taken. If you have dry skin, only set where concealer is applied to your face and set it well with a setting spray that is photography friendly.

Source: Internet search engines,copyright with respective owners. Shared only for information

Hope this post has given you an insight on things that you need to keep in mind next time you get ready for that very important event. Next time, don't be afraid to take selfies with your family and friends or when there are photographers chasing you to take pictures. Give that big wonderful SMILE and say CHEESE!

Stay pretty and keep smiling! :D

bottom of page