We all know how great celebrities look in magazines, but the real test is how good they
look on the red carpet and on social media.
Whether it's nailing a pose, or applying the right makeup, a good photo can take a lot
of work.
Celebs have these tricks on lock and we're revealing just how they do it.
After all, a picture is worth a thousand likes…!
Light it up
Celeb stylist Ali Levine is known for her selfies.
She even has a lighting kit set up in her living room to make sure all of her shots
are perfectly lit.
She says, "When you are taking a selfie, always be aware of the lights around you…
Get a lighting kit and also a ring light because having just two lights can cause harsh shadowing
and contrast…
You want the ring light to balance out and give you a natural glow."
Don't wanna shell out for a ring light?
Snap one to your phone!
Cases like LuMee, developed by professional photographer Allan Shoemake in 2011, are designed
for great portable lighting.
He got the idea when selfies hit the mainstream, saying, "When social media started up, I would
look at photos people had taken and I would wonder 'why bother.'"
His idea was a hit.
"Somebody sent me a picture - I think Kim Kardashian is using her phone case.
If Kim's using it, I thought, 'We're onto something.'"
Lucky for us, now our shots are perfectly lit!
There's an app for that
Reality star and celeb hairstylist Anthony Pazos believes you have to attack your photo
from a variety of angles to get just the right one.
He also suggests downloading an editing app, but he advises going easy, saying, "An adjustment
here and there makes your photos look flawless."
And go ahead and use your favorite filter!
We're not judging.
With stars like The Skinny Confidential's Lauryn Evarts publicly coming out about her
love of filters (and even designing her own!), we're saying you do you, from #Valencia to
Skyline!
And for a little more glam, Project Runway judge Vanessa Simmons is also a fan of apps
like the YouCam beauty app.
And, a source tells Us Weekly, the Kardashian sisters are all about apps like Perfect365.
With tech like this, you can try on products and looks seamlessly, with zero commitment.
Way more budget-friendly than wearing out your credit card at Sephora.
Go natural
Actress-slash-model, Caitlin O'Connor doesn't use any special apps to edit her photos.
Instead, she relies on good old-fashioned natural lighting and Instagram filters to
achieve her signature look.
She says, "For my photos on Instagram, I use a combo of filters and good lighting.
I adjust the contrast and colors for each photo.
I use white natural light at a window or shaded areas outside."
O'Connor confessed that she isn't afraid to ask her friends for help, saying, "When taking
a booty shot or outfit photo, I have somebody kneel down and aim upward with the camera."
If you don't have other people around to get the right angle, she recommends taking several
shots so you can pick your favorite one!
Nail your pose
According to Ali Levine, it's all about you, saying, "Know your best angles…
You have to experiment and shoot lots of pictures.
Only you can determine how you look best."
Author and musician Ezina agrees, saying the key to looking your best is choosing the right
pose.
One of her favorites is the Purse Pose.
She says, "On days when I feel a bit bloated...I hold my purse in front of my tummy to mask
it."
For a ladylike look, Ezina recommends the Criss Cross pose, where you, "cross your legs
at the ankles and push your chest forward."
Want to look slimmer?
"Place your hand on your hip and pop it...forward or back.
Choose one direction and work it."
And don't forget your mouth.
The musician says, quote, "Put your tongue on the roof of your mouth while smiling.
I'm looking at you Heidi Klum and Tyra Banks!"
The right makeup
Have you ever wondered how actress Amanda Peet rocks flawless skin in every photo?
It's because, according to In Style, she uses camera-friendly products, like Makeup Forever's
HD Foundation, which is formulated specifically for people being photographed.
In Style also reported that pigments in an HD formulation are coated to look more like
skin, so makeup is smooth and less detectable to a camera lens.
There are lots of HD products available, including blush, concealer, powder, shadow and BB cream.
And with drugstore brands like "elf" in the HD game, you can look flawless and still have
money to hit the town.
Flash those pearly whites
What's a selfie without a million dollar smile?
Luckily, you don't have to spend a lot of money to get one like Ciara.
According to In Style, she uses an LED teeth-whitening kit.
LED kits work because the light triggers a chemical reaction in the gel on your teeth
to remove stains, and whiten.
Kits like the Aura Glow Deluxe Home Teeth Whitening System are a fast and effective
way to smile like a celeb.
There are even whitening pens for quick pre-selfie smile touch-ups.
Signature beauty
There are countless tools to help you nail a perfect shot.
But whether you find your own signature pose, discover a filter that makes you look like
an off-duty model, or get really good at an editing app, it's all about finding what works
best for you.
With all the different ways to light, edit, and a take a picture, you'll always look your
best.
But perhaps the best celebrity tip?
Let the real you shine through, and the camera will capture your own unique vibe and beauty.
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