Anyone who has ever tried to take a selfie (aka everyone) knows that there’s an art to it. First, you have to find your light—nothing too bright, nothing too low—then your angle, and don’t even get me started on camera resolution. But once you’ve figured out those key components, there is a way to get outside help, in the form of beauty products.
See, aside from the sheer je ne sais quoi of being photogenic, makeup, skincare and haircare products can sculpt features, tame flyaways, and otherwise add to your natural photo-readiness. From the best highlighters to catch the light to brow gels that keep hairs perfectly in place, certain secret weapons take photos to the next level. Don’t believe me? I asked three of the most photogenic people on Instagram—Sasha Mei, Sarennya Srimugayogam, and Who What Wear’s own beauty director, Erin Jahns—for the products that help them feel their best when they pull out that front-facing camera.
“A great highlighter is such a powerful tool in photos, and this one instantly adds a wet look and catches the light so well! It’s so easy to use, you can just tap it on with your fingers for that youthful, dewy glow.”
“This is the only brow gel I’ve ever used that actually holds your brows in place all day long, with no white cast. It looks great for a soap brow look used on its own, or for a full bushy brow used with a brow pencil.”
“I love this kajal because it’s the creamiest and most pigmented liner I’ve ever used and makes it super easy to create a smoky wing. In a single swipe and a little drag of a brush or finger, you can have the most glamorous and chic smoky wing that only took you a minute to throw on!”
“I love a little glitter in all my looks, and this eye shadow is a cult classic for a reason. It applies easily and works as a gorgeous shimmer for any eye look.”
“If I’m traveling anywhere and need one product, this is it. I can reduce clutter, and it’s so lovely under makeup.”
“This is the best product for creating a natural dewy look, and nothing comes close. It creates a sheen without looking too wet or greasy, and there’s no sparkle so it’s perfect for every day.”
“I use this on my face, hair, sometimes even on the rest of my body. When I put this on at night, I wake up with the perfect glow.”
“This is a nonprofit makeup company by Lara Worthington, so not only are you contributing to a good cause, but the formulation is absolutely lovely. I am a big fan of the mousse-like texture and natural finish.”
“This foundation has completely changed the game for me. In fact, I’m so passionate about its skin-perfecting powers I wrote an entire dedicated story about it. I’m someone who wants a decent amount of coverage but doesn’t want to actually look like I have anything on my face. This is the first and only product I’ve experienced that can achieve that. People always compliment my skin (not my makeup, but my actual skin) when I’m wearing it, and it looks really amazing in photos. I cleanse, apply Tatcha’s Dewy Skin Serum, Exa’s Oil-Free Hydrating Primer, and then I use a damp Beautyblender to apply this and the brand’s sister concealer. It’s a magical glowy skin equation that makes my complexion look 10 times better than it actually is.”
“I was a ride-or-die powder highlighter girl until Merit’s launch a couple of years back, and I discovered this dreamy stick. It’s truly a perfect makeup product, but I apply it on bare-face and full-face days alike. I use my finger to apply to the tip and bridge of my nose, my Cupid’s bow, the outer part of my brow bone, and the top of my cheekbones. It gives your skin this insanely flattering but somehow still natural-looking gleam that looks equally pretty in person and in photos. I refuse to use anything else at this point! Plus, since it’s balmy and fairly sheer, you’ll never look spackled with glitter or chalky.”
“If you’re someone who wants the length and flutter of lash extensions or falsies but doesn’t want to actually bother, get this. I’ve turned at least half of the WWW edit team onto it, and while it might look strange, this tiny, magical little rod will tint, lift, and seriously lengthen your lashes. It’s pretty unbelievable, especially after a few coats. It won’t give you lots of thickness or volume, but if you’re after that doe-eyed Bambi effect, this is your ticket. I know it’s expensive, but just trust me!”
“I used to be such an avid lipstick wearer, but I’ve really started to gravitate toward glosses, balms, and dewy stains in the last year or so. The easier and less fuss, the better! I love a product that packs a little bit of plumping action, a little bit of pigment, and a little bit of shine. Lawless’s Forget The Filler Overnight Lip Plumping Mask is it. I don’t go a day without it, and while I do apply it at night, it’s moisturizing enough so that I use it as a daily lip treatment and/or gloss as well. It does everything, and I swear it’s the best lip mask on the market. I like the Cherry Vanilla (fear not, it doesn’t tread cough syrupy in the slightest), and while I like it on its own, I’ll also apply it on top of Benefit’s classic Benetint (in Rose) or YSL’s Lip & Cheek Balmy Tint (in Nu Flush) when I want more of that slurpy popsicle effect.”
You probably have Aquaphor in your bag for chapped lips or cracked cuticles, but did you know it also makes a great highlighter? Apply the teeniest bit where the light naturally hits to accentuate your natural bone structure.
This product touts its camera-readiness right in the name. Apply before your foundation or tinted moisturizer for the smoothest complexion of your life. (TBH, a filter could never.)
This glitter-free highlight stick adds the most gorgeous glow, and the moisturizing formula is especially great for mature skin types.
Nothing makes a cheekbone pop quite like contour, and this convenient stick from Anastasia Beverly Hills is a favorite among beauty enthusiasts.
Face mists are an underrated skincare product in general, and this one from Tatcha adds subtle radiance thanks to loads of hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and Okinawa red algae.
Kosas’s beloved concealer helps brighten dark circles, and it has the benefits of eye cream built right in (in other words, no weird dry patches).
A hair serum in a mascara-like tube to help you target specific flyaways? Yeah, you need it.
Setting sprays are great for keeping your makeup in place no matter what, but with the added benefit of blue light protection (thanks to hydrolyzed algae—fancy!), this one is especially handy for a photo sesh.
No professional airbrushing needed—this best-selling foundation helps even skin tone, smooth the look of pores, and hydrate skin. Plus, it comes in 44 shades so you’ll always find your match.
Brows can make or break a good photo. Don’t underestimate the power of a clear brow gel, which can be used to tidy up rogue hairs on the go.
