boudoir hair and makeup 101
If you’re reading this, your boudoir session is likely about a month away, and I’m so looking forward to creating this experience with you.
Professional hair and makeup are included in your session, which means your only job on session day is to arrive with your outfits, a clean and moisturized face, and clean hair. Day old hair is often ideal, but we’ll work beautifully with whatever you come in with.
When you sit down for hair and makeup, I want you to feel confident communicating the look you’re drawn to. This guide is here to help you find the language to describe what you’re envisioning, whether that’s soft and natural, a bit more polished, or something fully elevated. Below, you’ll find guidance on common makeup styles along with hairstyle options that photograph beautifully during a boudoir session.
And if this all feels outside your comfort zone, that’s completely okay. If you’d rather leave it to the professionals, our stylist will find a look that feels like you, striking a balance between natural beauty and gentle glamour so you don’t have to overthink it. You’re in good hands.
Makeup Guidance
When thinking about your makeup for your boudoir session, you’ll typically choose between a soft glam look or a full glam look. Both options include lashes and are tailored to suit your features and outfits.
Soft glam is a step above natural makeup. It uses lighter, more understated tones that complement your skin and enhance your features without feeling heavy. This look photographs beautifully and creates a soft, glowing effect on camera.
Full glam takes things a bit further and requires slightly more time. It often includes bolder tones, added definition, and more dramatic eyes. This option is perfect if you want your makeup to feel more striking and expressive on camera.
Most clients naturally fall somewhere between soft and full glam, and that’s completely normal. You can always lean more in one direction or the other, and we’ll also take your outfits into account when finalizing your look. Below, you’ll see examples of makeup styles from the studio, all done by Virginia Wilkens Beauty, to help you visualize what feels right for you.
If you’d like to explore a little further, I’ve created a couple of Pinterest boards for additional inspiration. These are meant to help you visualize the difference between looks, not to limit you to a specific style.
Soft Glam Examples
Full Glam Examples
Use these as a reference point only. Your final look will always be tailored to you.
Hairstyle Guidance
Hair is deeply personal, and there’s no one right way to wear it for your session. That said, there are a few general guidelines that tend to photograph beautifully and allow us more flexibility during posing.
If you have longer hair and enjoy wearing it down, that’s often the best option. Loose hair, whether worn wavy, curly, straight, braided, or natural, gives us more movement to work with and adds softness and dimension to your images. It also makes certain poses more comfortable, especially those where you’ll be lying down or arching your back.
If you’re planning a haircut or color refresh before your session, try to schedule it at least three to five days ahead of time. This allows you to get used to the change and gives any remaining dye time to fully wash out.
Below, you’ll find examples of hairstyles from the studio, along with a Pinterest board for additional inspiration if you’d like to explore further:
Boudoir Hair Inspiration
As always, if you’re unsure what will work best for you, we’ll figure it out together.
“what if i’m a man or more masc presenting?”
I’m really glad you asked. Pampering is included in your session experience as well. This typically looks like light hair styling and minimal makeup to even skin tone or cover blemishes, if you’d like it. Everything is optional and tailored to you.
The goal isn’t to change how you look. It’s simply to help you feel comfortable, confident, and at ease in front of the camera. When you feel good, it shows.
If you don’t have a session booked yet and would like to learn more, you can reach out through the contact page on my website. And if you’re already scheduled, feel free to email me anytime with questions or inspiration images for your upcoming session. I’m always happy to talk things through.
I’ll see you soon,
Christine