My Ultimate Dos And Don'ts For Easy Zoom Glam

2020 has been a rollercoaster to say the least. Our day-to-day lives have changed SO much, and one of the biggest challenges, which happened almost overnight, is WFH. Even now, a year after the pandemic began, most of the world is still communicating via video calls – the Huda Beauty team included.

After a while, my team kept asking me for quick and easy makeup tips and lighting hacks to up their Zoom game! And, thanks to years in the beauty industry and being on set with models, hairstylists, and some of the best production teams, I’ve learned some pretty good tricks. The best bit is, once you know the right tricks and tips, like lighting and the right angles, all you need is two-minute makeup to look and feel your best. So as always, I wanted to share my dos and don’ts of Zoom glam so you guys can look cute and professional in under five minutes.

Seriously, this glam takes me from creative calls with my production team to calls with our board, and it’s so quick and easy…

Dos and Don’ts of Lighting and Angles

Perfecting your angles and lighting situation is one of the most crucial elements to get right for your Zoom call. It’ll instantly make you look more awake, healthier, and can even minimize the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Here are my quick and easy dos and don’ts:

Do place your lighting in front of you: Placing your light in front of you will immediately light your face in the most flattering way. Try to avoid lighting from above and lighting from behind as this will cast shadows on your face and could even make you look more tired.

Don’t ignore your good side: Figuring out your good side is super important as it will not only improve your Zoom game but it allows you to take the most bomb selfies. To determine your good side, stand in front of the mirror and turn your head to see which side you feel cuter on – it’s pretty rare for people to have symmetrical faces, so you’ll likely have one side you prefer. It can also help to take photos to review.

Do center yourself: Make sure you’re always in the center of the frame as it just looks more professional. To ensure you’re in the center, place your hands on your ears with your elbows pointing outwards. If either arm fits equally in the frame, you will likely be sitting in the center.

Dos and Don’ts of Makeup

Do prep your skin: Prepping your skin is always important but especially on Zoom calls when the main focus is your face. I always want my skin to look healthy and glowy, which is why I start by using the WISHFUL Yo Glow Enzyme Scrub, $39, as it buffs away dead skin that could make your skin look dull. Then, I hydrate with a face mist. First, I use the Omorovicza Queen of Hungary Mist, $50, then I finish with the Huda Beauty Glow Coco Hydrating Mist, $35, as it leaves your skin with the most radiant glow that looks stunning on camera.

Do keep it simple: When it comes to Zoom makeup, I keep it super simple. Most days I just use mascara to emphasize my eyes, concealer to brighten my dark circles, a brow pencil and some bronzer for definition, plus a lip tint to bring it all together. Don’t over complicate matters or spend hours on precision as it can’t really be seen on Zoom!

Do add definition: For Zoom glam, you want to add definition to your key features. I always start by penciling in my brows as they help balance your face. I also like to sculpt the contours of my face with a little bronzer, and if I have time, I like to add definition to my eyes by buffing the powder into my crease.

Do brighten your undereye: Concealer is an essential product for Zoom glam as it’ll brighten your eyes and instantly make you look more awake. You can also set your concealer with a little powder for a flawless, filtered finish – this is particularly useful when you have a full day of calls and you don’t time for touch-ups. I also like to apply a little powder to soften my laugh lines, which are more visible on camera.

Do brush your baby hairs: One thing that you don’t notice in person but that’s so visible on camera is baby hairs. So, whenever I’m working an updo, I’ll grab a clean toothbrush and spray it with the L’Oreal Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold Hair Spray, $15, to lay my baby hairs for a polished final look.

Dos and Don’ts of Your Zoom Wardrobe

When it comes to what to wear, as always, comfort is key, but you still want to look professional and cute. Here are some of my top tips:

Do avoid bright colors: While neon will forever be one of my favorite trends, it’s not the most flattering color for a Zoom call.

Do be careful with print: Once again, super loud prints can be distracting. If you are going to wear print, larger prints are often more flattering than busy micro prints.

Do be comfortable: You always look best in something you’re comfortable in. My go-to is a black turtle neck as it’s chic, flattering, and is appropriate for all meetings.

What makeup steps do you do before a Zoom call? Let me know in the comments below. x

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