You are having your headshots created to help market yourself. For both men and women I recommend having a makeup artist for your session. That being said, a headshot should be an accurate representation of what you really look like. While a good makeup artist can help hide your flaws, accentuate your features, and can be a vital part of a photo shoot, a headshot is not a “glamour” shot. You should look good, but without looking like you are wearing makeup. So, if you feel the need to hire a makeup artist, make sure you stick with “natural” looking cosmetics and apply an appropriate amount of eyeliner, eye shadow, lipstick, etc.

Benefits of hiring a professional are

They stay the entire shoot.

I shoot all of my headshots with live previews showing on a screen.  This means the makeup artist can see what is going on in real time. Sometimes a shade of lipstick doesn’t work or perspiration make the skin start to shine. The makeup artist will be able to make adjustments to your makeup as need, resulting in more usable images that you’ll be more happy with.

They have years of experience

The makeup artists I work with have years of experience.  They’ve worked on all complexions, skin tones, and face shapes and know what products and techniques are going to make you look best on camera.  

They use professional products.

Many over the counter products are not meant to work well under studio lighting. The wrong makeup can reflect light and make you look washed out on camera or may read as a different color. Professional makeup products make all the difference.  A professional makeup artist will have a kit full of the right kinds of product.

You get to focus on just getting amazing headshots

Most people come in a little stressed and nervous about their headshots in the first place, so why add one more thing to your list to stress about. If you hire a makeup artist, you know your makeup is going to be topnotch which is one less thing you have to think about.  You will simply get to focus on the direction given you which means your shots are going to be better.