Welcome to our behind-the-scenes sneak peak of our epic 3 day photo-shoot featuring 30 gorgeous models for our new and improved shade finding quiz launching this week! We'll take you on a journey through the process of creating stunning makeup looks for our diverse group of models. From the initial planning stages to the final touches, we'll give you an exclusive look at the hard work and creativity that goes into a photo shoot of this scale.

Our team of talented makeup artists, photographer, and shoot assistants worked tirelessly to bring this project to life, carefully selecting the perfect shades and textures to complement each model's unique features. With so many different skin tones and types to consider, it was a true test of our team's skill and attention to detail.

So sit back, relax, and join us as we take you behind the scenes of this exciting makeup photo shoot and give you a glimpse into the world of makeup artistry and the dedication it takes to create beautiful, flawless looks for a skin shoot.

Initial planning stages

• First things first: MODELS. Finding the right models was a crucial part of the planning process, as we needed to represent 10 different skin depth categories, from the lightest light to the deepest dark. To ensure that the quiz accurately represented the wide range of skin tones and types that exist, we selected 3 distinct models for each skin depth category. This approach allowed us to showcase the versatility of our shade matching tool, demonstrating a wide variety of skin tones and types. We want every customer to feel seen and valued, and to know that they can find their perfect shade using our tech! Color Lab Manager Fleur and Sales & Product Manager Rachel turned into a model casting agents for 3 weeks as they met with and shade matched 100+ candidates. Fleur and Rachel took their roles seriously, carefully considering each candidate's skin tone, type, and depth to ensure that they would accurately represent our 10 different skin depth categories. They looked for diversity not only in skin tone, but also in age, gender, and background, knowing that every customer deserves to see themselves represented. All the models absolutely nailed the brief on the day, and we couldn't be happier with the final casting decisions.

  

  Makeup prep & Foundation application

  We were looking for 2 make up artists who not only had experience working with a diverse range of skin types, ages, and tones, but experience working with different hair types, textures, and lengths. This will help them create hairstyles that complement the makeup looks and overall aesthetic of each model. This way, we be able to achieve a wide range of looks for our models, and give the artists enough time to create different looks for each model while maintaining high-quality work. Delivering 15 looks each is definitely a challenging task for any hair and makeup artists, but with their skills and experience, Charlotte McLeod and Diane Noorlander were up for the challenge.

  Charlotte's extensive background in working on stills photography and digital content meant that she was no stranger in paying close attention to the lighting and camera angles to ensure that the makeup looks just as good on camera as it does in person. What makeup products did Charlotte use to enhance the natural beauty and unique skin tones of each individual model she worked with? The brief was all about SKIN, which means base prep, color matching, and application was critical. Every model got skin prepped with industry favorite Weleda Skin Food & Skin Food Light. The non-greasy texture that is quickly absorbed into the skin, leaving a smooth and glowing finish. Lips were not neglected, and it was the Elizabeth Arden 8hr Cream to the rescue. The 8hr Cream is a type of skincare product that is marketed as a versatile balm with multiple uses, including as a lip balm!

  Light - Light Medium skin tones: Charlotte went in with a new MMM fave, the Ere Perez Oat Milk Foundation. Its natural and radiant finish leaves the skin looking healthy and glowing. For any areas that needed a little extra somethin' somethin', the Ere Perez Correcting Concealer paired beautifully with its lightweight and creamy texture that blends easily into the skin.

  Medium - Deep skin tones: Charlotte chose the Dior Face & Body foundation. Its natural and lightweight coverage is buildable, and well as being easy to apply and blend, leaving a smooth and even finish on the skin. The NARS Radiant Creamy concealer was paired with the Dior foundation, known for being high-coverage and long-wearing, with a lightweight and creamy texture that blends easily into the skin, leaving a natural and radiant finish.

  Once models got to set, Fleur & Rachel demanded MORE SHINE every time, and Charlotte had a handy trick up her sleeve by way of the Egyptian Magic All Purpose Cream. This multi-purpose cream is made with a combination of six natural ingredients, including olive oil, beeswax, honey, bee pollen, royal jelly, and propolis and Charlotte used this on the high points of the face and lips where we wanted that extra juiciness to come through. When we shined too close to the sun, Charlotte used Rae Morris No Powder Powder to mattify the skin. Rae Morris No Powder Powder is a translucent powder that is formulated to absorb excess oil and minimize the appearance of pores and fine lines, without adding any additional weight or texture to the skin.

  

  Shooting process

  One of the biggest challenges we faced was photographing all 30 models in just 3 days. That meant shooting 10 models a day, which required careful planning and coordination to ensure that each model received the attention and care they deserved.

  One of the key players in our success was Sales & Product Manager Rachel, who created the tightest run sheet you'll likely ever see. With so many models to photograph and a limited amount of time to do it in, Rachel's organization and attention to detail were critical to keeping everything running smoothly.

  Meanwhile, Color Analyst Toia was tasked with checking all the models in, providing their wardrobe, getting them into the right hair & makeup chair at the right time, and then finally onto set. With so many moving parts and people involved, Toia's role ensured that everything stayed on track and that the models looked their absolute best.

  Our incredibly talented photographer Byron Martin bought the Match My Makeup vision to life. Byron was instrumental in helping us realize our vision, and his creativity and skill helped capture the beauty and diversity of each model. With his keen eye for detail and his ability to connect with his subjects, Byron was able to create stunning images that truly capture the essence of each models unique skin tone and depth, whilst capturing their personalities and flair.

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  Retouching and editing

  So, what happens after the photos are taken? The MMM team have the extremely difficult and unenviable task of reviewing all the photos and selecting each models best shot! Once the best shots were selected with the help of an impartial judge (our graphic designer Alex!), the images were handed off to our skilled retouching team, who worked their magic to ensure that each image looked flawless and polished, and most importantly, each models skin depth and undertone were true to life.

  One of the unique features of our photo shoot was our approach to retouching. Unlike many other photo shoots, we decided to focus on showcasing the natural beauty and unique qualities of each model's skin. Instead of smoothing out blemishes or eliminating dark circles and fine lines, we spent our time color balancing and light and shadow balancing to ensure that each model's skin tone was accurately represented in the final images, and Charlotte & Diane's incredible makeup skills shined.

  This approach allowed us to truly celebrate the natural beauty and diversity of each model, and it was a reflection of our commitment to inclusivity and authenticity. For us, the skin of each model was the hero of the shoot, and we wanted to showcase it in all of its natural, un-retouched glory.

  

This 3 day shoot with 30 models was a remarkable and eye-opening experience. Not only did it highlight the beauty of diversity, but it also emphasized the importance of inclusivity in the beauty industry. By showcasing a wide range of skin tones, we were able to create a quiz that can assist individuals in finding their perfect shade match, regardless of their skin tone.

Match My Makeup is grateful for the opportunity to work with such a diverse group of models and are proud of the final result. We hope that this quiz will serve as a useful tool for individuals searching for their perfect shade match, and we look forward to continuing our commitment to inclusivity and diversity in all future projects.