Customizing Your Boudoir Hair and Makeup Look at the Chicago Boudoir Photography Studio

Hey there! Did you know that every boudoir shoot at the Chicago Boudoir Photography studio is customized just for YOU?

We’re not going to just slap the same makeup on every woman that walks through our doors. We’re going to bring out YOUR best features your unique beauty.

Do you have a specific hair and makeup vision for your shoot? We will make it happen!

Don’t know at all what you want, but still want to look great? No worries, the hair and makeup artists are very good at analyzing your features and giving you a hair and makeup that look that will make you look fabulous on camera.

One of our hair and makeup artists, Rosie Hunter shows us 6 examples of different hair and makeup looks for your boudoir shoot - keep reading what she has to say below! xo Liz

6 Different Women, 6 Different Boudoir Looks

One of the best parts of your boudoir session is professional hair and makeup. This is a chance for you to get pampered, maybe try something new, and fully “get into character” before you get in front of the camera. But before that amazing reveal happens, you need to decide how you’re going to look! In this digital age, with literally millions of images on Pinterest to scroll through, it can be overwhelming to decide how you want to look. Will you choose to simply enhance your features more subtly? Will you decide to have an “alter ego” moment and completely transform? Will you try to emulate your favorite movie star? Will you look like a vintage pin-up girl from days gone by? Having a basic idea of what you’d like prior to arriving at your boudoir shoot is both reassuring for you and helpful for your artist. That being said, if you truly don’t have a preference, or can’t decide, your artist will collaborate with you on the day of your photoshoot to create a stunning look. Here are 6 examples of women who came into the Chicago Boudoir Photography studio and their before and after makeup looks!

Vintage Hollywood

 This client gal arrived at the studio with a VERY specific vision in mind. She absolutely loved the idea of having a vintage Hollywood look, something like if Marilyn Monroe and Veronica Lake had a baby. She said she wanted a classic red lip, cat eyes, and the soft Hollywood wave. This client did not have a specific image of reference for me, however I knew exactly what she was going for. Along with her cat-eye and red lip, a strong brow, volumized hair, and brightened/evened skin ensured she had the look of her dreams.

Rock n’ Roll Glam

 This client arrived at the studio VERY nervous but with a specific vision of how she wanted to look. A naturally wavy-haired gal, she wanted me to make her hair curlier with a subtle 80’s vibe—not too big, but not too tame either. She wanted smoky eyes, didn’t mind what shade, but wanted them fully rimmed with a cat-eye and didn’t have a lip preference. To make sure she looked a little rock n’ roll, I did a deep smokey eye with neutral tones to emphasize her blue eyes, while also correcting her brow (which she was very self-conscious about). I made sure her skin was flawless and bronzed, and that her lip was soft and didn’t pull focus (although I did overline the top to enhance fullness). The final result was a drop-dead gorgeous diva, and she was ready to rock her shoot!

Diva Glamour 

This client arrived at the studio with a mission: body positivity and celebrating her inner diva. She wanted a modern look with a retro twist with a classic red lip, dark smokey eyes, and softly waved hair. She had brought with her a favorite eye shadow palette that had been a gift from her husband, and really wanted to incorporate it into her look. She was very artsy and knowledgeable about color, so she was excited for me to use a variety of shades to enhance her stunning features. Her biggest concern was making sure she had even, flawless skin, and smoky eyes that were DEEP and extended. She was in love with her look and felt super empowered. Love it!

 Natural Glamour

 This client arrived at the studio a bit demure and shy, but ready to throw herself into the experience! She was very specific with NOT wanting to look like a ‘different person’ by wearing more dramatic makeup. She didn’t have images for me to look at, but I knew based on our consultation I would create something subtle yet beautiful. I did let her know that a ‘no makeup’ look requires a lot of makeup to look fabulous on film, and she trusted me to do my work. The soft peach tones really enhance her creamy complexion, and a subtle false lash opens the eye. A ‘tightline’ on the top of the lash opens the eye further without overpowering, and her strong brow draws focus to her fabulous eyes as well. My goal was to make her look like the most fresh, flawless version of herself. Soft beach waves with a little bit of volume give her that romantic and dream vibe.

 The JLo

 Often times clients come into the studio without a specific vision for themselves—and then I give them The JLo: Bronzed and glowy skin, smokey neutral eyes, pouty nude/rose lips, and beach waved hair. The JLo looks amazing on everyone, even if their complexion is far from the OG herself. It’s all about making the client feel like the most sun-kissed, flawless, movie star version of themselves.

Makeup is Magic

This B&A is one of my favorites because it highlights the magic of makeup. This client is beautiful before AND after but let me tell you—once she saw herself, she said it was the best makeup she’d ever had in her life. Period. The reasons? The eyeshadow complimented and lifted her eye shape. The brow COMPLETELY transformed her face, lifting everything and taking years off. Her airbrush foundation was the first time it had been matched correctly, and the first time she had been contoured correctly. She also loved the use of eye shadow to make her roots disappear in her gorgeous beach-waved hair. She literally looks 15 years younger in her after shot. Oh, and did I mention she is OVER 50? #goals