Boudoir photography is a growing specialized niche photography industry that highlights women in the “boudoir”, or the bedroom or inner chambers. A certain kind of intimacy and vulnerability comes along with a photo session of this nature. Often, the term “boudoir” accompanies misconceptions about this form of photographic art. 

At Show Your Spark, we consider ourselves to be a unicorn in this specialized industry. Though part of the boudoir industry, we believe that phrase limits the scope of our empowering, confidence-building, and celebratory photography services. 

Today we seek to debunk some of the myths around the beauty portion of our services. We will set to rest seven myths present about boudoir hair and makeup and show you what you can really expect to experience during your time in our chair.

What can I expect out of my time in the hair and makeup chair?

You can expect to be pampered and feel very cared for and relaxed. Most importantly, you can expect to be heard. We will ask you questions, get to know you, your preferences, personality, and anything else you want to share with us. 

Receiving hair and makeup services is quite personal, both ideologically and physically. As a trauma-informed studio, our goal is for you to feel comfortable every step of the process, especially while standing near you while applying your makeup and preparing your hair for the photography session. 

Myth #1: Boudoir photography hair and makeup is all about creating an overtly sexy, dramatic, and over-the-top look. 

While this might be true at different studios, at Show Your Spark, your look doesn’t have to be about sex appeal (though we can help you achieve that look if you want). 

We work collaboratively with you to achieve the look YOU desire to have. 

We customize your entire portrait experience, including hair and makeup, wardrobe, sets, and poses, to give you the experience and final product you envision.

Myth #2: I prefer a natural look so I don’t need professional makeup services.

We want the camera to see YOU and all your beautiful features. When used skillfully and collaboratively, photography and makeup are the best of friends! 

Due to the way the camera lens detects variations in lighting and color, without makeup your face would become washed out. Our talented hair and makeup artist, Michelle DeVoe, knows how the camera responds to different lighting, skin tones, and hair textures. She sees you as the beauty that you are and knows how to work her magic so the camera sees it as well. With that knowledge, she uses her beauty skills to bring out your natural features even if you want a natural look.  

Myth #3: Using professional hair and makeup services will make me look like someone I’m not.

At Show Your Spark, our goal is to always make you look like the best version of yourself!  

We are not about erasing your face. We don’t use makeup to hide you, cover you up, or mask you.  

Makeup brings out your best features and ensures that the camera brings out these features through the lens.

We want to see YOU, your eyes, the shape of your eyes, the shape of your face, YOUR face. 

Myth #4: I have to know what I want before I come to the studio.

Nope!  

If you have an idea or a vision, that’s great. Share it with us and will help you achieve that look.

If you don’t know what you want (and most people don’t), that’s okay! Over the past 20 years, our team has helped prepare thousands of women for portrait sessions. Though it can be helpful to know what you like, what is often more helpful is knowing what you don’t like. 

We will always start your time in the hair and makeup chair getting to know you better. We will ask you lots of questions such as; what makes you feel the most beautiful? What features do you want to bring out? What features do you feel less confident about?

We will also ask you questions about poor makeup experiences from your past. What haven’t you liked? What hasn’t made you feel comfortable? That information is helpful as well.

We do not have a “one-size-fits-all” beauty approach. Your customized look will be inspired by your answers to our questions, your unique features, and the rules of photography and lighting. 

We can and will curate a look that is just right for you!

Myth #5: False eyelashes are only for those who want a dramatic look. 

It is said that the eyes are the window into the soul. At Show Your Spark, we want to help frame those eyes and allow your inner spark to shine brightly in our studio! The camera loves them as they give your eyes that little added pop, which is so important for when you’re being photographed. 

False eyelashes are especially important if you don’t wear a lot of makeup or don’t want a lot of makeup, because it brings attention to your eyes without feeling heavily made up.

Our makeup artist customizes the false eyelashes for each individual client, applying each lash individually and trimming them to just the right length. Our services at Show Your Spark are truly customized and personalized, down to every lash!

Myth #6: I’m the only one who knows how to work with my own hair, can I do it myself?

Just as with makeup, our goal with hair is to make it camera ready. A client’s hair can look perfect when they walk into the studio, but the camera is incredible at picking up hairs that you can’t even see with the naked eye if it’s not polished correctly. Our hair and makeup artist will work with you to ensure there isn’t a single stray hair while still creating hair that moves, bounces, and feels natural.  

We’ve worked with all hair types, textures, and lengths! We’ve even worked with client wigs! Whatever you want out of your hair, we will help you achieve that look while making it camera ready.

Myth #7: The makeup artist will be offended if I tell them I don’t like it.

If you don’t like the results, let us know! We are not offended in any way to hear that we missed the mark!  

Your opinion matters to us! We want you to look and feel confident, beautiful, and empowered. We will work to create a look that brings you the most joy and happiness. If something feels “off” or not like YOU, we will make the needed adjustments so you are shining like the star you are!

Our Goal Is To Serve You

At the end of the day, our goal is to serve you, prioritizing your wants and needs. After all, a day at Show Your Spark is about experiencing a luxurious full-service portrait experience that helps you step into your confidence and to reclaim your power. We want you to see yourself through the lens of beauty and collaboratively create custom-made images and products that remind you of your inner Spark.

If you have questions or concerns, our hair and makeup artists would be happy to hop on a call to discuss your options with her.  

Now that we’ve dispelled these myths, it’s time to get your Spark Session on our calendar! 

Contact us today! We can’t wait to help you show your spark!

PS. For other Boudoir Photography Myths debunked, be sure to check out this post about boudoir wardrobe choices! (Hint: You don’t have to get naked or wear lingerie!)