Looking Good on Camera at Any Age

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We’ve all done way more Zoom calls in 2020 than ever before. I’m all about the power of video, but there is one downside that we need to address.

Lots of people are feeling especially critical of their appearances from seeing themselves on camera all day, every day. Professionals have dubbed this trend “Zoom dysmorphia,” and it’s sweeping the nation.

In fact, one dermatologist and professor at Harvard Medical School said that he saw an increase in requests for cosmetic procedures during the pandemic!

People are starting to see flaws in their faces and bodies that either don’t really exist or are magnified by the camera. This is especially true for people who are sensitive about their appearance and now see the aging process close-up.

That leads to poor self-esteem, a lack of confidence, exhaustion, and even unprofessionalism.

Photographer and executive coach Liza Andrews knows all about the power of video — and the potential problems it can cause. But luckily, she’s full of ideas for embracing the camera at any age.

1. Camera distortion is real.

If you’re feeling upset about what you see in self-view, remember that it is not an accurate representation of your looks.

“A selfie taken from 12 inches can increase your nose size up to 30% compared to the same photo taken at five feet,” Liza says. “It’s vital to recognize the type of limitations that this kind of technology has and understand that they provide a flawed representation of your true appearance.”

2. Add lights.

Lighting is your friend! But not fluorescent lights — Liza says that they magnify any lines or blemishes in your skin. So stick to ring lights or windows in front of your face (lights behind you can cause weird shadows). Here’s a post I did all about what equipment to use.

3. Go the distance.

Lisa suggests sticking about two feet away from your camera, which should be at eye level. That will eliminate the dreaded downward angle and keep you at a professional distance.

4. Check your makeup.

Many people do their makeup in the bathroom or bedroom and don’t check again before they hop on Zoom. But Liza says you might be surprised at how different your makeup looks on camera — either stronger and darker or much lighter.

Liza suggests starting your makeup in your usual location and then finishing in front of your camera. That way you can make sure it looks the way you want.

As for your hands and your neck, which can often look older on camera, Liza says you can try extra moisturizing before you get on Zoom. You can even try misting some water on yourself to make your skin look hydrated. As for your nails, Liza says a clear white nail polish can make your hands look younger and slimmer. It will draw the eye to the nails instead of aging hands.

For more tips on makeup check out this tutorial that I did with my long-time makeup artist friend from Fox News Iren Halperin.

5. Don’t ditch your smile.

Liza says that her clients often ask her whether to limit smiling on camera because it shows wrinkles. She recommends smiling and forgetting about the wrinkles! A smile can really help build relationships and communicate confidence.

“Don’t sacrifice yourself and who you are and your passion and your excitement for a wrinkle,” Liza says.

If you found these tips helpful, you can check out our full conversation here.

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