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Avoiding Flashback from your Makeup

AVOIDING

FROM YOUR MAKEUP

Avoiding Flashback from your Makeup

AVOIDING FLASHBACK FROM YOUR MAKEUP 

Have you ever taken a group picture and then realized you look like a ghost? That iPhone flash just bounced off your face and made you look as if you were an oily mess? This is what we in the biz call “flashback”, an unfortunate condition where the SPF in your makeup turns your skin into a reflector. But don’t fear miss bride-to-be, we have the solution to avoiding flashback from your makeup!

Luckily this is an easy fix. Foundations that have SPF 20+, especially if they contain Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide, are good ones to avoid if you’re planning on being the subject of some flash photography. Although these ingredients are excellent at deflecting the sun’s harmful rays and protecting your beautiful skin, they also reflect that flash and give you a not-so- glamorous shine.

Here you can see an epic fail a friend experienced at a formal. Happens to the best of us! Now she uses an SPF 50 foundation during the day and avoid the zinc for date night. 

Silica (typically found in HD powders) is another culprit of the flashback effect. In the midst of dry skin, silica turns from clear to white which then reflects light. The best way to tell if your makeup will cause an issue is by performing a flash test!

What if my photographer doesn’t use a direct flash?

GREAT! Many pro’s use reflector tools to indirectly light their subjects, which would eliminate the risk of flashback. But don’t forget about your guest’s photos throughout the night that will undoubtedly end up on your Facebook wall before you even make it to your honeymoon.

I’m still worried about too much sun exposure on my wedding day…

Ditching the sunscreen is fine unless your skin is super sensitive and prone to burning. No one wants to be lobster red on their wedding day. If this is you, try carrying a French vintage parasol which will serve as both sun protection plus a romantic accessory!

As long as you’re not having a destination beach wedding, you may be able to use a shawl as sun protection without getting overheated. Winter brides: don’t forget that you are still at risk of getting sunburned even when it’s cold!        

Check out this handmade shawl available on Etsy. A DIY way of achieving this look is to simply use your veil!

Seek the shade

An obvious way to protect yourself from an unpleasant sunburn the hours leading up to your wedding is periodically hanging out in shade, but this may require a bit of planning. When your photographer is scouring your venue for the perfect photo back-drop, ask him/her to seek out some shady areas to “set up shop”; AKA a place to leave your essentials such as your touch-up makeup, hairspray and bridesmaid’s purses. While you’re at it bring a cooler with some water bottles, as you need to stay hydrated throughout the day! (That would be a great job for your bridesmaids to handle!)

Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

There are plenty of foundation and powder options that will not cause flashback, but with so many products on the market it can be overwhelming to find what will work best for you. For the best wedding makeup products that avoid flashback and other beauty tips, contact Nancy Gorman. And don’t sweat the small stuff on your big day; let your wedding makeup artist work their magic and have you looking your very best, so you can focus on the important things.. like your handsome groom at the end of the aisle! Hiring an experienced wedding makeup artist can make all the difference.

Have YOU ever experienced flashback? How do you avoid it? Share your experience in the comments below!

Written by Nicole Miller