How to Look Good and Feel Confident On a Video Call

LEARNVIDEO

Mar 29

6.01.20

It's no secret we've all been spending a whole lot of time on video calls lately. Whether you are on a FaceTime date or on an important video call for work, I'm teaching you all of my best tips and tricks to look and feel your absolute best on a video call.

Find Your Light
To look your best in your video calls, you want to sit where the natural light is. Set up your computer or phone near a window and allow that natural light to light up your face and body. Don’t have access to natural light? Don’t worry, you can always use a ring light! I love to use my larger one when I know I’ll be seated for a long time. I also love my mini ring light that I can attach to my phone or computer if I need to be moving around. You can also use the Kardashian approved Lumee case, which has front and back facing lights so you are well lit at all time.
Light to Avoid
Try not to position yourself in a dark space as you won’t be clear enough on camera. You also want to avoid being anywhere that has fluorescent lighting, because that type of light is generally the most unflattering (think office buildings and doctor’s office waiting rooms.) Position of light is also important for you to look your best. Any light coming from above or below tends to create dark shadows on your face. Look for light that hits you evenly and straight on as this will make your face light up in all the right spots.
Find Your Angle
You know when you facetime your mom and she accepts it right away and more often than not you are looking at her neck? Yeah, don’t do that. Angles in your video calls are really important. You don’t want to set up the camera so that the angle is coming from below. And even an upshot can be awkward. Try to bring your camera up to eye level so it feels like you are sitting across from someone in a coffee shop.
Dress for the Occasion
My tip for work related video calls is to put on a solid under layer like a plain black-tee or body suit, and pair it with a blazer. It is the easiest way to look pulled together and professional in an instant. I would also recommend wearing solid colors as opposed to prints, because solids tend to read better on camera. If you have a more fun video call like a date or happy hour with the girls, play up your best assets! For this I try to wear colors that accentuate my eyes, so I gravitate towards a lot of blues, navy’s, and greens to make my eyes pop. Another tip is to try and avoid wearing pure white, as it can really wash you out on camera.
Gold Hoops Change Everything
I wear hoop earrings almost every day and it instantly makes me feel pulled together. Even if I am wearing a sweatshirt, I just feel that it elevates my look. When I have hoops earrings on I feel more beautiful, more put together, and more confident. And for whoever you are on a video call with, you should want all of those things to be the case.
Easy Sleek Hair
The benefit from working from home and being on video calls is that everyone is seeing you only from the front, so you can absolutely fake a full hairstyle. What I like to do is take my flat iron or curling iron, and only style the front pieces that I know will be seen on camera. On the days where I am extra lazy but still want to look polished, I will rock a low bun. I’ll usually part my hair down the middle, pull it back, and spray it with some hairspray to tame any fly-aways. This style is so quick and easy and always a sleek go-to look.
Simple Makeup
Not all of us have the time (or the energy) to put on full glam, but I always put on at least a tinted lip balm and some sort of cheek color for my video calls. It just really brings some life to my face without being too heavy and doesn’t leave me looking washed out. Another quick tip is to make sure to brush up your brows so that they look nice and neat!
Grab Some Glasses
When all else fails, grab a pair of glasses. Whether you need them or you are just going for a look, putting on a pair of glasses is chic and makes you look like you’re working very hard!
Clean Your Lens
No one likes coconut filter, so be sure to clean the lens you will be using! Give your phone or computer lens a good wipe down before you begin your calls that way everyone can see you clearly.
Steady Your Camera
Whether you are using an iPhone, iPad or computer, you want whatever you are taking your call on to be kept stable. There is nothing worse than being on a video call and the person you are speaking to is shaky. So find a hard surface or use a tripod to ensure your camera will be level throughout the entire call.
Look at Them, Not You!
I know it may seem really tempting to look at yourself on your video call, but don’t. You want the person you are speaking to to feel that you are fully engaged. By looking at the camera and not off to one side, it will allow them to feel more connected to you and your conversation.
Mute The Background Noise
I put both my phone and computer on do not disturb so that way nothing else can have my attention. You really don’t want to be in a situation where you are on an important call or interview and the person on the other end keeps hearing your incoming texts and email notifications.
Test It Out
If you’re nervous about a call or you just want to ensure its perfect, give it a test run! Call your mom, call your friend. Or even use the facetime app so it activates the camera on computer or phone. Doing this will give you a sense of where the lens is and where to look. What I like to do is pretend that I am in a coffee shop looking directly at the person, that way I know I am keeping myself looking eye level.
Be Mindful of Your Backdrop
While it may be funny to have your cat jump up onto your chair, or the coffee machine going off in the background, try to find a less distracting area to take your call. You want to be the main focus on camera, and having too many things going on in the background can be distracting. Set up your workspace in a quiet area of your home with as simple a backdrop as you can find.