Where Should Your Light Come From When Doing Makeup? A Flawless Look in the Right Light

Where your light comes from while you do your makeup matters a lot, because makeup done in the wrong light may look good in the moment, but daylight reveals how unbalanced its true tone is. So what should the right light be like? Daylight is especially ideal for doing makeup, but you won't always have daylight available when you're getting ready. The right makeup lighting helps your makeup look flawless.

Why Does Lighting Matter When You Do Your Makeup?

If the light comes from above while you do your makeup, you'll notice shadows forming on certain areas of your face. Because of that, you end up applying too much concealer under your eyes. Then, when you step out into daylight, there's extra concealer under your eyes, which makes the lines there more noticeable. It makes your skin look tired and dull.

Should You Choose Daylight or Artificial Light?

Daylight is perfect for avoiding makeup mistakes. Because it shows your skin's true texture and tone exactly as they are, it keeps you from making any mistakes with your products; however, daylight isn't always available. When you're indoors or doing your makeup after dark, it's just you and artificial light! So what should you do then?

You can use a mirror light, because mirror lights illuminate both sides of your face and prevent light from coming from a single point. That way, one side of your face won't be left in shadow while the other side gets the light. If you don't have a mirror light, we recommend using LED lighting in shades close to daylight. Instead of very yellow or very white light, a white light close to daylight will help you get your facial features and lighting right.

How Should Your Mirror and Lighting Be Positioned?

Your mirror's placement matters just as much as the light. When you look in the mirror, you should see your whole face, and the mirror should be at eye level. The light should come from directly in front of you and illuminate every part of your face evenly. Avoid light coming from above in particular, because overhead light creates shadows under the eyes, under the chin, and under the nose.

How Do Light Color Tones Affect Your Makeup?

The color tone of your lighting affects the tone of your makeup too. If you can, we recommend doing your makeup in natural light, but you won't always have natural light. That's why choosing the right tone of artificial light can help your makeup look flawless. If the room you're in has yellow light, your skin may look warm and bronzed. When you do your makeup under yellow light, you may choose a darker foundation and a heavy bronze blush. If you do your makeup under cool white light, your skin looks pale and dull. You may focus too much on highlighter and go overboard with concealer.

Now let's talk about natural white light! If there's natural white light where you are, you'll see your skin tone accurately. You'll choose the right foundation shade, you won't apply too little or too much contour, and you'll find the balance that makes your makeup look natural.

Using Light for Makeup in Photos and Videos

For photo and video shoots, you may need to turn to professional makeup techniques so your skin looks smooth and your makeup looks flawless. How balanced your makeup looks can depend on the angle and tone of the light hitting your face. After all, the right light is what helps you decide on the shade and amount of makeup products you'll use.

You need to position your light source correctly. Light coming from above creates extra shadows on certain areas of your face, and you start brightening your under-eye area, mistaking those shadows for imperfections. The extra concealer you use under your eyes settles into fine lines and makes your under-eye area look washed out. Light coming from only one side has the same effect. It leaves the other side of your face in shadow, and you can't achieve a balanced makeup look.

So what about light coming from directly in front of you? This is the light that lets you work wonders with your makeup! It comes from right in front of your face and illuminates every area evenly. It shows your skin tone exactly as it is and doesn't let any extra shadows fall anywhere on your face.