Viewers often ask, “How long do you spend in the makeup chair before you go on-air?” The answer is 30-40 minutes. I’ve learned from my professional makeup artists — who happen to be some of my closest friends — that it’s all about layers, contouring, and using the right professional products to enhance your assets and make your features pop. Here are a few tips from ESPN and local news makeup artist, Lisa Morgan:
Q: What’s the difference between on-air makeup and off-air makeup?
A: The cameras show everything! With HD and lighting, your face has to have a matte, flawless finish. You don’t want to see the skin through the makeup. At KTLA, bronzing your face is essential. The bright lights wash out the color of your skin. Your face needs to have dimension or it will look flat on camera. Contouring is very important. I look at it in three parts, Lights, Mediums, and Darks; this applies to the eyes, the lips, and the face. The goal is to define your features. For off-air makeup, you do want to see the skin come through the makeup and you don’t have to create as much dimension to the face.
Here are a few of Lisa’s must haves when applying make-up for on-air talent:
NYX Eyeshadow Base in Skin Tone
Bobbi Brown True Black Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner
MAC Lip Liner (Spice, Chickory, and Plum)
Smashbox “Be Legendary” Lip Palette
Smashbox Photo Matte Eyes (shadow, liner, brow powder)
Lisa Morgan, Instagram: @dolleduplisa
