Hey! Here’s a handy printable appointment card for you!
Use it to schedule your beauty and studio appointments. ♥
And if you’d prefer your instructions in a written format, here ya go!
FIRST THINGS FIRST
Make Appointments. When booking your salon & spa appointments be sure to follow this timeline. Many treatments are time-sensitive, (example: waxing your brows shouldn’t be booked close to your shoot to avoid redness.)
Drink More Water. We all know water is important, yet we still forget to drink enough. Start now!
Avoid the Sun. Sunburns and tan lines are portrait ruiners. Use sunscreen and stay in the shade.
Don’t Pick (or Bite). Especially your skin, lips and nails.
Go Through Your Closet. This is the perfect chance to wear that dress you never get to wear. Or those shoes you can’t quite walk in!
Begin a Skincare Regimen. Wash your face nightly, exfoliate your face lips and body every few days, use moisturizer on your entire body daily, and wear lip balm constantly. Please make sure to pay special attention to your lips so they are nice and soft for the shoot. If you need help, our MUA Katrina would love to offer a complimentary consultation to get you on a wonderful skin care routine customized to your needs.
THREE WEEKS BEFORE
Start Stretching. Try to stretch for 20 minutes each day leading up to your shoot. Especially your neck, back and hips.
Visit the Dentist. Get a standard cleaning and consider whitening your teeth. This is an investment, so be sure your teeth look their best!
STOP Fake Tanning. If you usually spray tan or use fake tanning lotions or creams, take a hiatus now until after your shoot. All artificial tans will photograph orange, and often look streaky and uneven on camera. If you arrive with a fake tan you will forfeit your session.
Go Get Yourself a Facial! This should be done no later than 7 days before your session. We recommend a hydrofacial with dermaplane for the best results in your makeup application on shoot day. We recommend GADIS Beauty for local clients, or you can visit Katrina & her team at Allure out in the Janesville area. (DM Katrina on IG to set up your appointment.)
ONE WEEK BEFORE
Gather and Organize Your Packing List. Complete the wardrobe prep checklist on the “How To Prepare” section of the style guide.
Wax Eyebrows and Upper Lip. Get your brows waxed or threaded by a pro. Try to stay close to your natural shape and don’t go too thin. Have your upper lip waxed as well.
Wax Body Hair. Wax the hair on your legs and underarms. Depending on how revealing your outfit choices are, you may also need to wax your bikini area.
Cut Back Caffeine and Salt. Both are dehydrating and can cause your body to retain water.
Get a Trim & Get Roots Retouched. Neat, healthy hair is youthful and vibrant. If it’s been a while since your last cut, get a subtle trim. DO NOT do anything new at this appointment!
Make sure you have all of your “bring from home” items including your branding outfit(s), jeans, and any shoes/accessories etc you would like to bring along. (if applicable.) If you don’t, or you need to do some shopping, now’s the time to make sure you have it all ready in time.
3-5 DAYS BEFORE
Deep Condition your hair for soft, silky tresses on shoot day.
Get an eyelash fill if you do extensions.
Keep stretching & hydrating!
Don’t do any facials at this point as it can negatively impact your makeup application and wear.
Cut Back on Caffeine, Alcohol & Salt. We want to hydrate & avoid anything that will cause water retention or dehydration. Show your body extra love this week.
THE DAY BEFORE
Get a Manicure. PLAIN natural nails are best, with no polish! If you MUST please only use clear or nude polish. Natural shapes, no glitter. We want timeless hands with no distractions.
Buy Groceries: Plan a healthy shoot-day breakfast & snacks.
Clean Your Rings: For a fast & easy DIY option, try using a toothbrush & toothpaste to clean your bling.
Wash Your Hair: Fully air dry or rough blow dry your hair, but avoid using hot tools such as curling or straightening irons. Before bed, pull your hair up into a loose top knot. If you have curly hair, do your standard prep for curly hair on the day of your shoot. Arrive with it curly as you prefer and we will do curl refinement.
Very Short Hair? Wait until the morning of the shoot to shampoo.
Shave. Touch up your body hair situation; remember under-arms, legs and possibly forearms, bikini and upper lip. Go with what makes you comfortable, but remember whatever hair is there will show in your photos, so make sure you’re good with that.
Tweeze Eyebrows. Double check for any strays.