When it comes to professional headshots, getting your outfit right is essential, especially as a black woman who wants to look classic and authentic. Your headshot speaks volumes about your brand because it is the first impression you make on clients, colleagues, and potential business partners. So how do you choose the perfect look for your photos? In this blog, we'll break down the best wardrobe choices, hairstyles, makeup tips, and accessories to help you stand out in your next professional headshot.
What Should You Wear as a Black Female?
Choosing the right outfit for your professional headshot can feel like a challenge, but with the right wardrobe choices, you can make sure your personality and professionalism shine. Here are some wardrobe tips to guide your selection:
Best Colors for Dark Skin Tones
For Black women, certain shades can enhance your features and create a flattering and professional appearance.
Jewel Tones: Jewel tones are ideal for darker complexion tones. Colors like royal blue, deep purple, emerald green, ruby red, and sapphire teal are dramatic but elegant.
They bring richness and vitality to your appearance without overwhelming you.
Earth Tones: Earth tones are another great option. Warm shades like mustard yellow,olive green, burnt orange, and chocolate brown pair beautifully with dark skin.
These colors have a natural depth that works well for headshots, as they create a softer, approachable vibe while still looking professional.
Whites and Neons: Bright white is a bit tricky. Under studio lighting, it can sometimes create harsh contrasts or reflections that aren’t nice. Instead, consider softer alternatives like off-white, cream, or ivory. They’re gentler and more flattering. As for neon colors while they’re fun for a night out, they can be distracting and unflattering in professional photos. It’s best to avoid them for headshots.
Neutrals and Patterns
Neutrals are classic for a reason. Let's take black for instance. It is sleek and one of the best options, if you want to convey confidence and authority. On the other hand, gray is a softer neutral that feels approachable and pairs well with almost any accent color.
For patterns, solid colors are the safest bet for headshots.Meanwhile, subtle patterns can add a bit of personality to your outfit. You can either try light stripes, tiny polka dots, or faint plaids (nothing too bold or busy). This is because large or loud patterns can be distracting in photos and may clash with the background. If you’re considering a patterned piece, try to balance it with a blazer or cardiganto keep the look cohesive.
Clothing Fit
Even the most beautiful color or pattern can look off if the fit isn’t right. Tailored pieces are your best friend for headshots. A blazer that cinches at the waist, a blouse that fits neatly across the shoulders, or pants that sit just right can instantly elevate your look. Fitted clothing gives you a polished appearance, which is exactly what you want in a professional photo. So, what should you avoid?
Baggy clothes: These can make you look shapeless or unkempt.
Overly tight clothes: These can create discomfort and unflattering lines, especially when you’re sitting or posing. Look for outfits that skim your body and highlight your shape without feeling restrictive. You want to be able to move comfortably while looking your best.
Necklines
Necklines might seem like a small detail, but they make a big difference in how your photos turn out. Scoop necks and V-necks are fantastic choices because they draw attention to your face and neck, creating a balanced look.
Crewnecks can also work, but they tend to make your neck look shorter, so keep that in mind. However, if you’re shooting in cooler weather, a turtleneck can make a good option. Just make sure it’s not too snug around the neck.
Black Women Hairstyles for Professional Headshots
Your hair is a big part of your overall look in professional headshots. It frames your face and helps show off your personality, so it’s worth putting some thought into it before your photo session. It doesn’t matter if you wear your hair naturally, straighten it, or prefer a protective style, there’s a way to make sure it looks its best. Let’s talk about a few popular options and how to keep everything neat, polished, and photo-ready.
Natural Hairstyles
Natural hair is beautiful and versatile, so if you love wearing your hair in its natural state, go for it. Some of them are:
Braids and Twists
Braids and twists are fantastic because they’re low-maintenance and stay in place easily. However, since the camera picks up even small details, it’s important to make sure your braids or twists are fresh and neat. If you’ve had them in for a while, consider redoing the edges or applying a little gel to smooth down flyaways.
Afros
If you’re wearing an Afro, take a few extra steps to make it look its best. First, make sure it’s evenly shaped. You can use a pick or your fingers to fluff it out. Adding a bit of sheen spray or leave-in conditioner can also give it a healthy, glowing look on camera.
Locs
Locs are another beautiful option for headshots. Whether you wear them long, short, or styled into an updo, locs add character and personality to your look. To make them photo-ready, keep them moisturized and neat. If you notice any frizz, you can use a small amount of gel or oil to smooth things out.
Relaxed and Straightened Hair
If you prefer relaxed or straightened hair, the goal is to maintain volume and shine. One easy way to add volume is by using a round brush when you blow-dry your hair or adding a few curls with a curling iron. This creates a soft, natural lift that looks great in headshots. To make your hair look shiny, use a lightweight serum or oil. Avoid heavy products that might make your hair look greasy under studio lights. If you’re worried about flyaways, a light mist of hairspray can help keep everything in place.
Protective Styles
Protective styles lare also excellent choices for headshots. They allow you to try different looks while protecting your natural hair. They are:
Wigs
If you’re wearing a wig, make sure it fits properly and looks natural. The part should align with your face, and the edges should blend seamlessly. Take some time to style the wig so it looks polished. Whether you’re going for straight hair, curls, or waves, make sure the wig complements your outfit and overall look.
Extensions
Extensions, whether braided or sewn in, can add length and volume to your hair. Just like with wigs, it’s important to make them look as natural as possible. On the flip side, If you’re not sure how to style your hair for headshots, consulting a hairstylist can be very helpful. A professional hairstylist will give you tips on what works best for your hair type, face shape, and personal style. They can also help with last-minute touch-ups or even style your hair for the shoot itself.
Can I Apply Makeup in a Headshot as a Black Woman?
Yes, you totally can. Makeup is a powerful tool for enhancing your natural beauty in professional headshots, especially for Black women with beautiful ebony and dark skin tones. These are some tips that will help you prepare for your photoshoot with confidence.
Foundation and Skin Prep
For women with darker skin tones, keep these foundations secrets close your heart when preparing for a headshot:
Choose the Perfect Foundation
Finding a foundation that matches your unique shade and undertones is important. Ebony and dark skin tones often have warm, cool, or neutral undertones. So, look for a brand that has different shades specifically designed for Black women.
Skin Prep Matters
Before applying foundation, prepare your skin to ensure your makeup goes on smoothly. Cleanse and moisturize your face to hydrate your skin. If you have oily skin, apply a mattifying primer to control shine in areas like your forehead, nose, and chin. For dry skin, a hydrating primer will help prevent your foundation from looking cakey or flaky.
Highlighting and Contouring for Ebony Skin
Highlighting and contouring can add definition and dimension to your face, helping your features stand out in photographs. Use a contour shade that’s slightly darker than your natural skin tone to define your cheekbones, jawline, and nose. Pair it with a warm or golden highlighter that enhances the natural glow of your dark skin. Avoid overly glittery highlighters, as they can look shiny under studio lights. Instead, go for a subtle shimmer that catches the light beautifully.
Lip Colors and Eye Makeup
When it comes to makeup for your lips, a good lip color can improve your entire look. For Black women, rich, deep shades like berry, plum, chocolate brown, and burgundy complement ebony skin beautifully.
If you want to make a bold statement, opt for a classic red with warm undertones. Meanwhile, for a more understated look, nude lipsticks tailored for darker skin tones are perfect. Let's go over how your eye should look to have that killer pose. First, you need a neutral eyeshadow shades like bronze, gold, and chocolate brown to complement your dark skin beautifully and add warmth to your look. If you like wearing false lashes, pick ones that look simple and natural so they don’t take too much attention away from your face.
Avoiding Flashback in Photos
Flashback is when makeup reflects light, creating a white or ashy cast in photos. This can be especially noticeable on darker skin tones, but it’s easy to avoid with the right products. How's that possible?
Stay Away From SPF in Makeup
While SPF is essential for daily skincare, foundations or powders with SPF can cause flashback in professional photography. For headshots, use a foundation without SPF to ensure your skin tone is captured accurately.
Choose the Right Setting Powder
Some translucent powders contain white pigments that can leave an ashy finish on ebony skin under flash. You can go for powders specifically formulated for Black women, which blend easily with darker tones. It's better if you only buy products that are labeled as "photo-friendly" or "flashback-free."
Set Your Makeup
A setting spray is a must for locking in your makeup and giving your skin a natural finish. Choose a spray designed to minimize shine and keep your makeup looking fresh throughout the shoot.
What About Accessories?
Accessories can add an extra flair to your professional headshot, but don't overdo it. You can use jewelries to show off your style. However, it should be Small stud earrings or a thin necklace that just add the right touch without taking the attention away from your face.
If you like bold jewelry, that’s fine too, just pick one statement piece. As for scarves or hats, these can work sometimes, but you have to be careful. A lightweight scarf can add a nice touch if it matches your outfit, but busy patterns or bold colors might take attention away from you. Hats, on the other hand, are usually best avoided unless they’re part of your professional brand.
Conclusion
Getting ready for a professional headshot can feel overwhelming sometimes, but you should always try to be yourself. Wear outfits that suits your body type and personality, then go for a little touch up of makeup. The truth remains that a camera doesn’t just capture how you look, it also picks up on your energy. When you are confident in yourself, it is always evident in your photos. However, if after reading until this point, you still don't feel up to it, you can use Headshot photo.io to generate quality professional headshot for your LinkedIn profile or company website. It's pretty easy, and you can get your photos in no time after you've signed up.
