- Lora Arellano is a celebrity makeup artist and the founder of Melt Cosmetics.
- While partnering with the dating app Chispa, she shared her on-camera makeup tips with Insider.
Have you ever found yourself scrolling through Instagram or a dating app when someone stops you in your tracks?
You could be drawn to their photo or video for any number of reasons, but sometimes, it's their makeup that catches your attention.
Lora Arellano, a celebrity makeup artist and the founder of Melt Cosmetics, knows that firsthand.
Her work for stars like Rihanna has made waves online, and she regularly appears in TikToks to share her beauty tips with the world.
So while partnering with Chispa, a dating app that caters to Latino singles, Arellano shared her on-camera makeup routine with Insider so that you can achieve the same results.
The difference between camera-ready makeup and everyday looks
"Everyday makeup is something like what I'm wearing today: a tinted moisturizer, mascara, brows filled in a little bit, and a neutral lip liner," she said. "It still looks good on camera, but it's not the same. It's more subtle."
Camera-ready makeup, on the other hand, should be "done up," according to Arellano.
You still want people to "see your natural features and beauty," she added, but you'd likely use more products and different techniques when getting ready for the camera.
"Full-coverage foundation looks awesome in pictures," she said. "My wedding's coming up, and I'm going to do a full beat because I need it to stay on all day and look bomb in photos."
How to use makeup to your advantage on screen
According to Arellano, the first step in any camera-ready routine is moisturizer. By applying it first, you can help hydrate your skin and create a base for your makeup to sit on, she said.
"I use the Sisley Black Rose mask and actually leave it on as a moisturizer," Arellano said. "As soon as I get out of the shower, I use it."
Once that's done, it's time to go in with a medium to full-coverage foundation.
Arellano prefers the YSL All Hours foundation — "I'm actually gonna wear that for my wedding," she said — but any matte formula will do.
"Sometimes shine can translate as oil on camera," she said.
From there, you'll want to do your eyebrows however you prefer, and set your face with powders. Arellano suggests a translucent powder all over the face and a powder blush to the cheeks.
If you want to add eye makeup, Arellano suggests "keeping it minimal" — or at least making it look like you did.
"Everything's all about eyeliner these days," she said. "You want something very simple that looks effortless. We know it's not effortless, but it looks it."
Finally, to complete the look, you'll need a matte lipstick and setting spray.
"If you want it to stay on all day, try liquid lipstick with a long-wear lip liner," Arellano said. "And you gotta set your whole face all with setting spray. The Urban Decay one will not budge all day."
But no matter how you do your makeup for an on-camera appearance, Arellano says it's most important that you "don't go overboard" with following beauty trends and trying to look different.
"Just enhance your natural beauty," she said. "Put yourself first and make that your priority."