While you may be a professional photographer with the best camera and photography equipment, makeup flashback can ruin the photos you take at events such as photoshoots or weddings. That said, it’s up to you as a photographer to advise your clients on how to go about their makeup to avoid makeup flashback. This article shares essential things you should be aware of about makeup flashback as a photographer, and most importantly, how to avoid the phenomenon.
What Is Makeup Flashback?
Makeup flashback refers to a white cast that shows up on the face in photos when the person used certain cosmetic products. Now, the big question to ask yourself as a photographer is, “what causes makeup flashback?”
Well, you may not be a makeup artist but then, it’s essential to understand the phenomenon because clients won’t agree that it’s their mistake. Most of them will question your photography skills.
What Causes Makeup Flashback
Makeup flashback occurs when light from the camera’s flash is reflected by specific SPF ingredients in the cosmetic products used. In most cases, zinc oxide, silica, and titanium oxide are the culprits and are mostly found in day creams but night creams such as Verso night cream don’t have these ingredients. For the record, some day creams don’t have these SPF ingredients.
Another cause of makeup flashback is the choice of foundation and how it is applied. While some foundation products may have SPF ingredients which cause makeup flashback, in most cases, it’s the wrong foundation shade that causes makeup flashback. The foundation’s shade should match the user’s skin tone because the camera’s flash will exaggerate even the slightest difference between the skin tone and the foundation shade and again, that mysterious white appears on the photos.
How to Avoid Makeup Flashback
Avoiding cosmetics with SPF ingredients, such as zinc oxide, silica, and titanium oxide and choosing the right foundation is paramount. Opting for matte formulas and using light-diffusing face powders can also help.
Wrapping Up
As a photographer, there is nothing much you can do to avoid makeup flashback, but in most cases, the blame will be shifted to you. The phenomenon has everything to do with the clients and their makeup artists.