Meet Your Makeup Artist

Hi! I’m Danielle.

I’ll be your makeup artist and hairstylist on the day of your photoshoot, but I’m better known as The Boudoir Fairy Godmother because that’s just one part of what I do.

You can think of me as your guide throughout the experience: starting with that initial conversation (usually by text message) and booking your appointment, then helping with lingerie shopping, putting outfits together on the day, makeup and hairstyling, demonstrating poses in the studio, helping you get changed, then finally designing your photo album and artwork and arranging delivery to you at home.

Why did you become a makeup artist?

I actually trained specifically for my role at the studio. I had worked with many talented makeup artists over the years, and picked up many hints and tips, but I hadn’t even considered that as a career move for myself until Jon and I created Foxlow Photography.

Makeup and hairstyling is an essential part of the boudoir photography experience with us, and at first we worked with a roster of other fabulous makeup artists, but taking the decision to qualify myself was one of the best things we’ve done. You and I will have got to know each other during the booking and planning process, so I’m not a stranger on the day and I will already know so much about how you want to look and feel in your photos. Plus I will be there in the studio throughout the photoshoot in case you need any adjustments or “touch-ups”.

What do you enjoy about it?

I’ve always loved guiding clients through the boudoir experience, and makeup and hair is a big part of that journey. Yes - I’m a control freak! But more importantly I like that I can be with you at every step, especially when you’re feeling nervous. That time in hair and makeup is about so much more than what you look like, it’s an opportunity for us to really get to know each other so that you’re more comfortable in the studio.

I love to see and hear a woman’s reaction to seeing herself in the mirror, it’s often the first “wow” moment of the day and it’s so rewarding to know that you’ve helped someone to feel beautiful. That’s what boudoir is all about.

What’s your approach to hair and makeup?

It’s all about helping you feel confident in front of the camera: for some women that’s a full face of makeup with big glamorous curls, for others it’s very subtle. Every client is unique, so I adapt everything to suit you as an individual.

For me it’s all about enhancing your natural beauty, I believe there’s no need for dramatic contouring or thick foundation that changes how you look. Yet good makeup can absolutely give you a confidence boost by accentuating your features - just like good lingerie can accentuate the features of your body shape.

What are your go-to looks for boudoir?

With hair, it has to be soft curls - they move with you no matter your pose, and are so forgiving when you place your hands in your hair etc. Effortless glam.

For makeup, if in doubt I will always focus on the eyes and I love a metallic shimmer. It photographs so beautifully and is easy to wear. Plus there’s a shade to suit everyone!

Are there any looks that don’t work?

Glitter doesn’t show up well on camera, so I would suggest something shimmery instead. Dramatically thick false eyelashes can cast shadows on your face, so I would opt for lighter options if you want to wear them - but honestly accentuating your natural lashes with mascara and liner is my preferred style.

Up-dos for hair don’t really work in the studio because you’ll need to be able to stand up, sit and lie down - the pins could hurt you and your hair won’t move with the different poses. However, if you like the look of your hair up we could do something simple for one sequence of the shoot or, my personal favourite, choose poses where you hold your hair up on your head or over one shoulder etc.

What do I need to do before my photoshoot?

Hair needs to be clean and dry, ready to be styled. I realise that for each person this means a different thing! If you have natural curls that you want to feature in your photoshoot, you’ll probably want to style it from wet at home and then we can add any finishing touches together at the studio. For those with dry hair, you may want to wash it the day before, where as those with fine or oily hair like myself would be best to wash and dry your hair on the morning of the photoshoot.

Please arrive with no makeup so that I have a good base to start; you probably know that reapplying makeup immediately after removing it isn’t ideal and layering over existing makeup doesn’t give as good a finish. If you have any allergies, please let me know with plenty of time before the day of your shoot so that we can discuss your requirements, and if you have a specific product you want to wear e.g. a favourite lipstick, then you can bring it along.