Hairstyling 101: How to Look Good in Pictures

We’ve all had pictures of ourselves that we wish never made it to social media. Perhaps the flash caught you, or you were not paying attention, but an unpleasant picture can get you in a bad mood. The truth is, though, anyone can look fantastic in pictures when you know how to style your hair properly; it can make all the difference.

There are just so many things you can’t control when it comes to photos – bad lighting, being out of focus, or a finger covering the lens, for example. But one thing you can change? Your hair. Even if you don’t think you’re a particularly photogenic person, there are some tricks you can use to look your best when in front of the camera lens.

In this article, we’ll take you through our photography and hairstyling tips as well as how Hairy Hair can help if you’re worried about your hair situation.

How Do I Style My Hair for Photos?

Taking a bit more time with your hair before a photo shoot can make a big difference in the result and in your confidence. If you regularly colour your hair, get your roots done before you have your photo taken. This kind of thing is not easy to fix in the moment or afterwards.

If it’s for a special occasion, consider having a professional do it for that salon-fresh feeling. If you’re thinking about trying out a new hairstyle, wait a couple of weeks before planning any photoshoots so you can get used to it and see if it’s right for you.

In general, you should go for the hairstyle that will make you feel most at ease. Your attitude can make or break the look of your photos. It is possible to see in pictures if you are not at ease or not in your comfort zone, so remember to smile naturally.

Practice in front of a mirror or in front of a camera to see which hairstyle photographs best. Knowing your angles and what photographs well is a good thing, especially when you have an asymmetrical hairstyle.

Avoid overstyling your hair; too much product in your strands can look wet or crunchy in photos. Keep your frizz under control to avoid flyaways in pictures with pomade or dry oil to slick down your hair. You can run your hands through your hair before taking a photo to give it some volume and fix your part.

Hairstyle and Face Shape

If you don’t know what hairstyle works best in photos, look at your face shape to find a complementary ‘do. Here are the best hairstyles for different face shapes whether you’re styling short hair or long:

• Oval: Balanced proportions mean many hairstyles can work for oval faces. Texture or layers can add dimension and style.
• Round: Length and the illusion of angles are your friend here. An angular fringe or a swept-back style can help lengthen the face and create dimension.
• Square: Work with your strong jawline, not against it. Textured cuts can help break up sharp angles and soften edges through side parts or tousled layers.
• Heart-shape: A wide forehead can benefit from layered cuts that create volume and texture in the lower half of your face. This helps to balance proportions by drawing attention to your chin.
• Diamond: Highlight your cheekbones to show off your face’s symmetry. Go for styles with a lot of volume on top or an angular fringe to accentuate your distinct features.

What Can I Do to Complement My Hairstyle?

The rest of your overall look, along with your hair, can be a friend or enemy in photographs. Dressing neatly for where you are and who you are with will make you more appealing in photographs. There will be colours that work better with your skin and hair colour than others, so play around with what you wear.

Match your hairstyle with your clothes to help you look your best. Your updos will match well with sweetheart necklines or turtlenecks, etc. Or, you can opt for bouncy waves in an off-the-shoulder dress to accentuate your clavicle. Match the ambiance of what you’re wearing with your hair to put the finishing touches on your picture.

If you’ve thought you have a better side in photos, you’re not alone. A study published in Experimental Brain Research found that humans prefer looking at the left side of a face, as the right side can often appear more awkward. One reason for this was that observers enjoy the greater intensity of emotion that tends to appear in the left cheek, according to the researchers.

Posing Tips

If you’re getting your photos professionally taken, then the photographer will most likely tell you how to pose so that you’ll look your best. But even when it’s just a photo that your friend is taking, there are some things to remember:

• Angle your body: Posing face-on isn’t flattering in pictures. Angling yourself at a 45-degree angle and looking back can prevent you from appearing wide in photos. Pushing your weight onto your back leg can prompt you to elongate your body. Lean forward a bit just before the photo is snapped for a better angle.
• Emphasise your neck: Sticking your neck out from your head and lowering your chin a bit can prevent the double chin look. It may not feel completely natural, but it can be a big help.
• Relax: Don’t stress too much about it with all the posing. Take a deep breath and relax those shoulders before the picture is taken.
• Smile: It is hard for some to smile on command, but there are a few things you can do to help. Faking a laugh may be uncomfortable, but it tends to turn into a genuine laugh or smile. Having your tongue against the roof of your mouth utilises facial muscles and can create a more pronounced jaw when smiling.

Hairstyling for Photos and Taking Care of Your Hair

Feeling confident in photos can be hard, but small things like smiling, having fun, and styling your hair right can make a big difference. Preparation and practice can make things easier over time, but if you’re self-conscious about part of your appearance, it can be hard to hide in pictures. Thinning hair can be difficult to cover up on the go when taking photos, so hairstyling can only go so far.

If you’re worried about your hair loss, contact Hairy Hair today. Our hair growth treatment is formualted with a range of ingredients designed to tackle the root causes of hair loss. The treatment acts as a DHT blocker to help prevent hair follicle shrinkage, and it aims to widen the blood vessels in the scalp to ensure your strands are sufficiently nourished. 

When you’re ready to start your treatment, just fill in our brief online form. Once we get to know you and your hair loss, one of our qualified Australian GPs will design a personalised treatment plan. They’ll then give you a call to outline the details and answer any questions. Finally, your prescription will be delivered straight to your door, meaning no pharmacy or clinic visits.

Our comprehensive hair loss solution may give you a better chance at achieving regrowth compared to single treatments used in isolation. The best time to tackle your hair loss is at the first signs, so start your hair growth journey today. Our dedicated support team will be on hand to guide you through the treatment and help you monitor your progress every step of the way.