2020 dramatically pushed the world into the online space. It quickly turned our meetups with friends into game nights, movie nights, or just catch-up sessions over Zoom calls.
Sometimes it’s hard to want to get ready for virtual hangouts because you can attend them from the comfort of your own bed. But little efforts to groom yourself have an effect on your mood and behavior. It’s amazing what a little dressing-up can do!
Consider not skipping out on the makeup and accessorizing on your next video call. Here are a bunch of tips and tricks on how to look your best on Zoom, but with minimal effort (or maximum effort, really—it’s up to your preference!).
Tip #1: Put on Some Accessories
A completely no-fuss way to spruce up your appearance is to put on your favorite accessories. Since you will be limited to a little box in a conference call, focus your accessorizing on your hair, ears, and neck.
If you want to go for a more youthful look, wear earrings on the lighter side. Heavy, clunky earrings tend to age a person and can even encourage sagging on your earlobes. Yikes!
Don’t leave out accessorizing for your neck, too. Show off that cottagecore aesthetic by wearing a necklace with an owl pendant. It’s cute and unique!
Ultimately, your accessories should be a form of expression. Feel free to match them according to the overall look or mood you are going for!
Tip #2: Wear a Bit of Makeup
It should not take much to brighten up your face for a video call. Vogue‘s five-minute makeup guide for conference calls requires just the basics: moisturizer, mascara, blush, and some concealer to further define your features.
Good skin is the best base for makeup, and moisturizer gives you a supple, natural glow. Mascara opens up your eyes, making you look more awake on camera. A swipe from your favorite blush then adds a good amount of color to counter how webcams wash out color from the face.
A good tip is to do your makeup using your laptop or computer camera as your mirror. This immediately shows how you will look from your friends’ perspectives.
Tip #3: Fix Your Hair
Hair easily gets pretty messy, especially when you spend the day lounging around in bed. (Whoops, guilty as charged!) Good thing there is a great variety of products and styling tools in the market that help you style your hair with just a bit of work.
Sometimes, you may not even need to put in a product or use a tool! A bit of hand combing or parting your hair in a different area can give you a wow factor when you turn on that camera.
Tip #4: Dress Up
It is so tempting to jump on a video call in your pajamas. No one will fully see what you’re wearing anyway, right? Well, sure, but you will.
This prolonged period of being cooped up at home is a great opportunity to practice self-care by getting dressed for your own satisfaction. Put on your best suit or dress and match it with your makeup and accessories to replicate the feeling of going out and about!
Tip #5: Use Filters and Backgrounds
Looking your best isn’t only limited to how you groom yourself physically. Fun innovations in technology have made it possible to include the camera in that process!
Plain backgrounds work in your favor, as it lets other people pay attention to your face instead of what’s behind you. Still, if you want to make full use of your Zoom features, choose them as you please. You can even use videos as backgrounds if you want to!
Tip #6: Mind the Angles
Having the camera see up your nose isn’t quite the most flattering sight for your friends, isn’t it? At the very least, place your camera at eye level. This frames your face much better than a low angle.
Pay attention to how the light hits your face, too. The best angle for natural light to illuminate your face is from the front. It brightens your face and makes you look more awake without the need for makeup!
Tip #7: Let Yourself Enjoy
Genuine happiness improves your appearance more than any makeup, outfit, or accessory. So, when you go on and get ready for your next conference call, don’t get too caught up in what you will look like! The most important thing is to be present at the moment and enjoy yourself.
