Beauty Hacker Of The Week: Alexandra Kirienko - How To Make The Perfect Makeup For Photography

A well-known make-up artist, beauty blogger with the 124,000th Instagram and sister of model Elena Perminova, Alexandra Kiriyenko, about the textures of highlighters, shadows and tones for filming. BeautyHack publishes the best tips!

avatar Alexandra Kirienko

Alexandra Kirienko

Independent makeup artist

“Even if you know that you will be photographed, the makeup must still be 'wearable', real for life - not just for photos on Instagram. You want a slightly denser tone and creamy textures."

THE BASIS

Photography eats up colors - the skin can look dull, but lifeless. It is necessary to highlight it moderately, but without oily sheen. Lena flies often, the skin dries up, so the first rule is moisturizing. I rub the Smashbox Oil Primer into my hands.

When it heats up in my hands, I apply it all over my face (if the skin is oily, I recommend avoiding the T-zone). On top of it is Charlotte's Magic Cream primer by Charlotte Tilbiry. Skin is hydrated and ready for foundation.

TONE

I love the Giorgio Armani foundation (I often mix Luminous Silk with Lasting Silk).

But for evening make-up for an event, I use the Temptu airbrush - the coating is the most durable.

Then I powder the T-zone - I like the Becca powder, which gives a matte finish. In the photo, it is not noticeable, even if you zoom in.

SCULPTURE

My favorite sculptor is Becca. It is a very correct color - gray-earthy, cold, gives the effect of a natural shadow. It outlines the cheekbones and face oval well. Duplicate on top with dry bronzer (if Lena is tanned).

I always use highlighters in makeup - Becca have the best ones. My favorites are Shimmering Skin Perfector Liquid and Dry. If shooting in a studio, I use the first one. If on the street - the second.

EYES

Work out the inter-eyelash contour with a pencil - the eyes immediately become more expressive, and the eyelashes - thicker, this is always visible in the photo.

When it comes to eyeshadow, I recommend combining dry and creamy textures. Use cream as a base (such as Tom Ford, Becca, Giorgio Armani).

For my shots, I usually choose shade No. 9 of Giorgio Armani Eye Tint - suitable for everyone, especially those with drooping eyelids. No need to draw a crease - it gives a good shadow, and there is already a highlight on the center of the eyelid. Blending dry textures with Giorgio Armani Eye Tint is done in a couple of strokes with the brush.

LIPS

I try to make Lena's lips as neutral as possible. She has very expressive eyes and lush eyelashes - all the emphasis on them. If the makeup is for a daytime event, I barely touch my lips with lipstick or tint of a pale pink or peach color. For example, Becca Beach Tint. They can still (and should!) Be applied to the cheeks - long-lasting pigment with a highlighter effect refreshes.

For an evening look, I outline the contour and always shade my lips with a pencil, blend the borders and then apply lipstick. For Lena, we most often apply Tom Ford nude lipstick in shade 13.

My favorites are MAC reds in Ruby Woo and Nouba Millebaci in 7. Long-lasting, will suit everyone without exception and instantly refresh the face. For photography - that's it!