Ever wondered how celebrities always look so good in photos? Okay, we know about the airbrushing and make-up artists, but getting a perfect portrait if easier than you imagine.

After much pushing and pulling (around 20 years of it) my mother finally managed to get my family into the same room for a professional family portrait.

While we all liked to play and make fun of the idea of having a portrait taken, the experience was actually a whole lot of fun and even gave us a little taste of being a celebrity.

See our Picture Perfect photo gallery.

Tips for a great photo:

Look back at some the most beautiful women in history and what makes them stand out in the professional photos they are in? It is that they are accentuating their best asset. Whether it be their unique and enticing eyes like Twiggy and Elizabeth Taylor, their incredibly feminine curves like Sophia Loren or the striking elegance of beauties such as Katharine Hepburn.

These women all knew their individual appeal and used it to their advantage in their photos. Find what your favourite asset it (just like when you are dressing for your shape) and show it off to the camera. 

Shades of grey

We all know a touch of colour adds warmth and depth to your appearance, but when it comes to photography, sometimes stripping colour all together can say a whole lot more.

Black and white photography is not only timeless, it is incredible flattering as it smoothes out uneven skin tone and illuminates the whites of your eyes and teeth even more.

Keep it simple

Fashion is here to help us look gorgeous, not take all the attention away from your beautiful face. Keep your clothing simple and elegant- solid and structured lines with little detail mean that the focus will be on your smiling face (where it should be!).

Practice makes perfect

I know it may seem silly, but nobody sees you when you pull faces in the bathroom mirror. So practice until your cheeks hurt from smiling and your mouth is dry from laughing at yourself.

Learn what angles work for you (yes, we all have a good side!) and how to position yourself for the perfect photo. For me, I was educated by one of my best friends in year 10- tilt your head slightly down and to the side, then angle my cheek upwards. Sounds awkward, but works every time! 

Pucker up

Lips need lipstick. It’s sexy, it’s beautiful and it makes your teeth whiter. In photos this is a particular must. So clearly, don’t leave home without a fresh coat! (This also applies to your mascara- the more, the better.)

Angle it right

To achieve a flattering body-line, positioning is very important in a photo. The most flattering way to stand is on a slight angle to the camera with your head turned to face the lens.

Be sure to hold your arms slightly away from your body to create a clean, thinner line. 

Say “cheese!”

Remember to have fun! If you are trying to hold in a stomach or forcing a smile-it will definitely show. The most beautiful photos in the world are of people looking natural, relaxed and happy. So smile, because you’re all beautiful. 

We particularly love the photos of celebrity photographer: Annie Leibovitz, you can check out some of her best work online or through amazing shoots in Vogue and Vanity Fair magazines.

She has even had exhibitions of her work travel the world. What makes her photos so striking is her ability to truly capture a side of celebrities that the general public often never sees. The result is incredibly personal and striking.  

See our Picture Perfect photo gallery.

We all have those days - when getting out of bed or getting dressed up to go out can seem like a mammoth task.

We know that we’ll have a great time once we’re out, but when you’re tired, finding that motivation to make yourself presentable can seem very difficult.

Try some of these little mental health tips to get the spring back in your step and refresh your outlook on the day ahead.

Fruity fresh
Try swapping your regular soap or shower gel for a citrus body wash in your morning shower. You’ll be surprised by how the fruity flavours will awaken your senses when you’re barely opening your eyes.

Try L'Occitane Savon Liquide (liquid lavender soap).

Take an extra 15 minutes to do your hair and make up
How often do you run out the door after quickly putting your basic layer of make up on, or quickly blow-drying your hair?

By specifically setting aside some extra time to style yourself, you will feel that little bit more polished and pretty for the day ahead.

It’s amazing what an additional layer of mascara and an extra bounce in your hair can do to your walk!

Coordinate your nails
If you have a special event, go to that extra effort and paint your nails to match your outfit.

It’s that finishing touch that will make you appear head-to-toe colour co-ordinated and stylish.
 

What lies beneath?
Just like your freshly manicured nails, matching your lingerie beneath your outfit can give you a secret mood booster.

Try wearing your special lingerie or simply a matching black set. You may look the same on the outside, but the confidence you get from knowing how sexy you look underneath will shine through.

For a little inspiration, check out Anna B’s luscious lingerie article in Diva Darling.

Invest in some Chanel
We all know Coco was the epitome of style and class.

While we can’t all afford to buy a vintage Chanel handbag just to match our favourite pumps, we can buy a little touch of her class.

Try buying into the new Rouge Coco collection of lipsticks, they’re light, smooth and feels like Coco, herself, is throwing you a kiss!

 
When all else fails…take a deep breath…
The use of meditation can be a powerful thing. Try giving yourself a 15 minute mediation session when you first get up in the morning.

I’m not a morning person, by any means, but giving myself time each morning to stretch and think about my day ahead always leaves me balanced and a great deal more focused.

Somehow it makes mornings seem a great deal less chaotic.

Share

Even the best intentions can be thwarted when you have to get food in a flash during coffee breaks.

Fortunately, the days of chocolate bars and chips as office snacks are over with Fruit-at-work delivering bumper baskets of premium fresh fruit produce from the market to more than 2,000 workplaces in Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra and Melbourne as well as numerous regional areas.

Starting at roughly $1 per employee, Fruit-at-work is a fabulous initiative that is not only cost effective but will help to maintain a healthy workplace and improve wellbeing.

For more information visit www.fruitatwork.com.au.

Bathing Beauties: Soap

For aficionados of indulgence like us here at Luscious, life is simply too short for supermarket soaps. In order to really awaken the pleasure of floral fragrance, why not choose a soapy scent based on its precious and mythological stories for an even more sensual experience.  

Anemone Zephir asked Venus to turn his beloved nymph into a flower that today is known for its delicate and sweet perfume like that of a sweet breeze

Crocus  The favourite ornament of Jupiter and Juno’s bridal bed, this flower with a warm and sensual scent is the symbol of love and passion.

Armarillis Born by a milk drop that fell from Juno while she was feeding Hercules, this soft-velvet like flower embodies the virtues of purity, dignity and nobility.

Narcissus (daffodil) This flower’s name derives from Greek mythology and the tale of the beautiful Narcissus. He ignored the lovely nymph, Echo, and so was punished by falling in love with his own reflection in a pool. So enchanted by his own image, Narcissus fell into the water and drowned, turning himself into a flower with an exhilarating perfume and relaxing properties.

Rose A long symbol of love and passion the rose is celebrated by the poet Sappho as an emblem of power and beauty. The rose, Queen of Passion, has sweetening and protective properties.

Violet In medieval times the violet flower was strewn on the floors as an air freshener due to it's sweet perfume.

Legend also has it that when Napoleon Bonaparte married Josephine she wore violets, and he sent her a bouquet every anniversary. The violet was also traditionally used as a remedy for insomnia and has serene and calming properties.

Lilac According to Greek mythology, a beautiful nymph named Syringa was chased by Pan, the god of the forests, who was captivated by her beauty. 

Frightened by Pan’s affections, Syringa escaped him by turning herself into an aromatic blossom known now as Lilac. Purple lilacs are also associated with the first emotions of love.

Lavender The name Lavender is derived from the Latin lavare, meaning 'to wash', as it was added to baths for its therapeutic properties and delightful fragrance.

Its rejuvenating properties help to lift spirits so much, that when corsets were worn daily, ladies would wear Lavender oil in a bottle around their necks to revive them when they were feeling faint.

Share 

Avoiding work and looking for ways to divert yourself? Then have a flick through our luscious photo galleries on our Luscious on Facebook page. Here's a taster...
 

Inside Martha Stewart's houses and offices	Luscious lingerie	Grace Kelly

 Whilst you're at it, why not become a fan of our FB page and get daily Luscious updates!