Who's that red slob in that photo? Oh wait its me :(

Shanelle

Hi
Its Nicole
Feeling really low at the moment, and pretty annoyed with myself too
There's this massive formal occasion I've been planning for months to go to, everything was sorted early and for once nothing went wrong
or so I thought...
I've planned my hairstyles, dresses and really organised things so I'm comfortable in everything
Anyway, I've been practising how I'm gonna look on the day, Sad I know but I've had trial runs with outfits, accesories, makeup etc
I finally thought I'd sussed looking and feeling good, I thought that using a mirror would actually give you an accurate reflection of what you look like but I can't believe how bad I've actually looked!
Yesterday during a trial run, I decided to take a few pics of myself and I look terrible!
My makeup however neatly I apply it, or get my makeup artist friend to do it, looks disgusting! I look like something you might find in the gutter on a street!
My face looks beyond flabby and humungous even though in the mirror I thought it looked quite normal!
I don't what to do..... Sorry for having such a huge rant. But I really wanted to 'wow' everyone......xxx
Why do I look so ugly in photos!

FabSascha

Nicole about 5% of the population look good in photos; seriously, I can invest all the time in the world making sure my make-up is perfect and be happy with what I see in the mirror but stick a camera in front of my face and that all changes very quickly! PLEASE don't use photos as an accurate representation of what you look like, chances are you're just as unphotogenic as the rest of us

Sounds like you're putting waaaay too much pressure on yourself to look a certain way for this event. I'm very aware of the significant difference in me between nights out when I'm just looking to go out and have some fun and the nights out when I'm feeling a bit low and hoping to make myself look amazing to try and boost my self-esteem. The former I always end up looking and feeling ten times better than the latter.

Try to get other people's views on how you look when you've put everything together in the practise session. You'll be over-scrutinising everything, but other's will see you as a 'whole' if that makes sense.

Your 10 times more likely to wow everyone if you look comfortable and happy with yourself rather than perfectly put together, so stop putting so much pressure on yourself to look perfect as I can't remember the last time I've seen anyone who looks perfect, can you?

There_Goes_Trouble

One tip I had regarding photographs is to flip it, so you're seeing a mirror image. That way you get the same view of yourself as you get with looking in a mirror rather than the 'backwards' look you get in a picture. We're just not used to seeing ourselves the right way round and it looks weird. That's why other people will say you look fine in a photo and you think you look awful. They're used to seeing you that way round and you're not. Try it, I've found it really does help.

Edited to add, I agree with the above too!! Ease up on the pressure you're putting yourself under.

whitewing

1. Maybe you're gorgeous but rubbish at taking photos.

2. You are not comparing like with like. You are taking photos of yourself to be purposefully critical. Same outfit/make up etc with exactly same skill of preparation but on the day with anticipation and sparkle and you'll look completely different.

flissh

:grouphug: Awwww, Nicole,

When I have PMT I always think I look awful. Doesn't matter if I've worn that outfit a hundred times before and been happy I'm always hyper critical for these crucial 24-36 hours when my hormones are raging.

So first off, could it be this?

If not, how about getting a really trusted friend round to tell you what she thinks of the outfit.

You said your make up friend did the make up, what did she think?

Kay_Peel

My beautiful daughter and I look like Wallace and Gromit in photos. For some us, we have to work on that 'photo face' just like the woman in this article . That article gave me some food for thought.

I credit make-up artist Lisa Eldridge with providing me with a ton of videos on applying makeup that looks natural, fabulous, comfortable and affordable. It may be worth looking at her quick tutorials to make sure that you're not overdoing the makeup.

Good luck

ashaput

Kay_Peel wrote: »

My beautiful daughter and I look like Wallace and Gromit in photos. For some us, we have to work on that 'photo face' just like the woman in this article . That article gave me some food for thought.

Thanks. I think I've found my signature smile :j

juliaw

How exactly are you taking photos of yourself? By holding the camera in front of yourself at arm's length and clicking? If so you will never look right. Ask someone else to take your photo in good light, with a light background.