Face Modelling: How to Become a Beauty Model

Beauty models are required to work for cosmetic brands including Estee Lauder, Chanel, Maybelline New York and Tom Ford. It’s a competitive industry and you need good skin and an excellent bone structure to be considered. 

Read on to find out everything you need to know about what it takes to get into face modelling. 

What is Beauty Modelling?

Beauty modelling, also known as face modelling, is a category of modelling that takes place predominantly in the beauty industry – so skincare, make-up and cosmetics. Models regularly require extremely close-up photos of their faces, or parts of their faces, so it’s important beauty models are well-groomed and take care of their skin, hair and nails.

What is Required for Face Modelling?

Face modelling requires some extreme close-ups, so not only do you need an appealing and symmetrical face, you’ll also need to keep on top of your grooming habits, too. That means getting your eyebrows shaped and tinted to suit your facial features, and having an excellent skincare routine to keep skin clear and glowing. 

You will also need to know how to work the camera. Understanding the position of your face, lighting and how to make the most of your bone structure is vital. 

A Glowing Complexion

It is possible to be a beauty model and have skin imperfections such as acne – Kendall Jenner has proven as such – but remember that she is one of the top-earning models in the world, and her famous family helped to get her into the spotlight. Models who are just starting out will find it a lot easier to find work in beauty modelling if they have good skin. It might be worth visiting a dermatologist if you can afford one to get advice for problem skin. At the very least, you will need a good skincare routine that you can stick to each morning and night. 

Beauty models tend to have “perfect” teeth and a sharp, defined jawline. They will also have attractive ears, sparkling eyes, and an even nose and mouth. Most brands and agencies will be looking for symmetry as it is thought that this is more attractive. High cheekbones will also help as this will really help to emphasize make-up.

Avoid getting facial piercings or tattoos if you wish to enter beauty modelling, unless you specifically want to be an alternative model; facial modifications will prevent you from finding work for high street and premium brands. They want a blank canvas that the masses can relate to.

It’s not recommended that you get much obvious cosmetic work done, either. Fillers in the lips, jawline and cheeks can be done very subtly, but an obvious fake look will lose you work (unless you wish to work in the glamour modelling industry).

Controlling Your Expressions

Modelling is not just about standing there and looking good – you need to know how to manipulate your body into different poses that flatter the clothing you’re wearing. The same can be said of beauty modelling. You need to learn how to move the tiny muscles in the face to create different expressions. Can you smile or laugh convincingly on demand? Can you look gloomy or thoughtful at a moment’s notice? If you have a natural poker face and struggle to control or show emotions, you’ll struggle being a beauty model. 

Try practising your facial posing in a mirror. Remember to also get photos taken, as you will look different from different angles.

Hair Maintenance

Your hair is an important accessory, especially in beauty modelling. It will commonly be used to flatter and frame your face for make-up and beauty campaigns. 

You’ll need to have a good haircare routine to look after your locks. Get your hair trimmed regularly to remove split ends and use hair conditioning treatments to keep it hydrated. If your hair is coloured, you’ll need to make sure your roots are done regularly – having unattractive root growth may lose you work. If you have bleached hair, you’ll need to use purple/silver shampoos to prevent it going yellow and keep it looking fresh and shiny. 

Beauty models usually find more work with a natural hair colour – not pink, blue or green. If you have bright or unusual hairstyles of colours, alternative modelling may be for you. 

Confidence

You need bags of confidence to be a beauty model. The camera is going to get up close and personal, so you’ll need to have no issues with photos showing intricate details! 

You’ll also need confidence to stand out from the competition. Face modelling is a big business and many aspiring models would love to work with top beauty brands – so you’ll have to make sure you stand out from the crowd with your strong work ethic and dazzling personality. 

You will also need to feel comfortable in your own skin, and with how you look. Beauty photos are usually highly edited in post-production, and it is not up to the model how these are edited. An editor may hide aspects of yourself you don’t even think about, such as your freckles. Whatever they do, you need to be comfortable with it and not let it affect your confidence. Remember they are working towards a specific look – editing should not be taken personally. 

In contrast, some brands are promoting natural beauty more and more, which means they are leaving their photos untouched. You also need to be comfortable with the odd blemish being shown to thousands, if not millions of people. 

How to Get Into Face Modelling

The simplest way to get into beauty modelling is to find yourself a modelling agency. A modelling agency will help support you and find you work. 

To find a modelling agency, do some research online. There are thousands out there – some better than others – so you’ll need to find the ones that cater to your category of modelling. You’ll then need to find their application process (usually a tab on their website).

Filling out the application should be pretty straightforward – they’ll ask for your modelling measurements, along with some photos. These photos are vital – they are what will get you signed. Choose photos that are high-quality and clearly show off your natural beauty. You will want to include some full-length body shots as well as some close-up beauty photos. 

Once you’ve sent off your application, you’ll need to play the waiting game. You might hear back in a few short weeks, but it’s more likely you’ll hear back in several months – if they’re interested. If they’re not, you likely won’t hear back at all. 

If an agency voices interested in your look, you’ll be invited to an in-person casting call which will take place at their offices or headquarters.

If you don’t hear back, don’t panic – it’s very common for models to face rejection in their line of work. Keep your chin up and apply to some more agencies – you can apply to as many as you like, as many times as you like.

Do I Need Previous Modelling Experience?

It’s highly advantageous to have previous modelling experience, but it isn’t vital – after all, everyone has to start somewhere!

However, you will need some high-quality photos for your modelling agency applications as well as your modelling portfolio. If you don’t yet have any modelling experience, you might want to think about booking in with a professional photography studio. This will not only give you valuable experience in front of the camera, but it will also give you the opportunity to purchase your best photos which can then be used in your modelling portfolio. Make sure to choose a photographer who has experience working with models, and ensure you get those beauty shots!

Are you interested in face modelling? Why not register with us today!