How to Look Your Best on Zoom Calls From Home
COMMON MISTAKES PEOPLE MAKE & SOLUTIONS FOR THE BEST RESULTS
Have a look at the image below. Do you see anything wrong in it?
Well, what I see is a wrong angle, an unflattering light, a messy background, an inappropriate clothes and a lack of makeup or any effort to look great whatsoever. And, still, this is how so many people turn up on their work video calls from home.
In the current situation, many of us are obliged to work from home and doing video calls is one of the best and easiest ways to keep connected with your team or clients.
In this blog post, I am going to give your my best tips on how to look your best for your business video calls, providing the best solutions in regards of:
- LIGHT
- ANGLE
- BACKGROUND
- MAKEUP & HAIR TIPS
- POSITIVE MINDSET
So, let's not waste any time and get straight to the tips!
TIP #1
FIND THE MOST FLATTERING LIGHT
WINDOW LIGHT:
The best lighting for your video calls or, even for taking a simple photo for that matter, would be a soft, diffused, natural light from a window that you are sitting directly in front of. Any light that is coming from the sides, above or behind you, isn't going to be ideal for the simple reason that is going to cast shadows on your face or even put it completely in shade as in the case of back lighting.
You need to be sitting in front of a window that is not giving you direct sunlight, because it’s going to be too strong for your face, but also very hard on your eyes. If this is your only option as natural lighting, then I suggest to diffuse that hard light by adding sheer white curtains. This will help soften the light, without completely blocking it and the curtains need to be white, so they don’t cast any weird colour hues on your face, making you look unhealthy.
Images source: pinterest.com
ARTIFICIAL LIGHT:
If you don’t have a natural light source available to you, do not worry! There is another option that will still make you look great - using a Desk Lamp (like on image #1). And if, like me, you don't have a desk lamp at home, probably you can find a nightstand lamp. Just remove the hood, let it on its bare bulb and place it behind, center and right over your computer’s webcam and it will create a flattering light over your face.
The trick is to lighten your face from the front. Always!
Images source: pinterest.com
TIP #2
FIND THE MOST FLATTERING ANGLE
WEBCAM ON HEAD LEVEL:
In normal conditions, your laptop is sitting on your desk/table and it is lower than your shoulders and head. We tend to push the screen backwards in order to see better and fit in the webcam frame, which results in a low camera angle and this is not flattering at all. We want to avoid our double chin and nostrils to be front row, don't we?!
The best camera angle for your face would be slightly looking down on you. In order to achieve that, you need to raise your device on a box, so it’s on the same level of your head. Then, adjust the screen so you are in the center of the frame. That central symmetry between your face, camera and lighting is what makes you look great. That's the magic trick!
Another thing to be aware of is that pc cameras have wide angle lenses, which means that everything closer to the lens will be exaggerated in size and your chin and nose will appear bigger. We usually don’t want that! A good distance would be approximately one meter or when your head and shoulders are framed in the camera (not more, not less!).
TIP #3
DECLUTTER YOUR BACKGROUND
REMOVE ALL DISTRACTIONS:
You would be surprised how many people neglect their surroundings when they are on home-office calls. It’s very important to create a space that is tidy and professional looking the same way your workspace is. Physical clutter creates mental clutter, which results in fatigue and difficulty to concentrate and we don’t want that. So, keep it clean and simple.
Simple, clean background would be your best option. It can be just a white wall. If you don’t have it at home, then try to remove as much as possible from your background. You can leave a plant or a vase with flowers that would actually bring a sense of calm, nature and beauty in the room and it won’t be a distraction for the viewer (like on image #1). Or, if your bedroom is the only quiet space available to you, as it's for me - then keep it tidy!
Images source: pinterest.com
TIP #4
GLAM YOURSELF UP!
IT'S TIME TO GET RID OF YOUR PJs:
It doesn’t matter if you are a woman or a man. Everyone should put an effort to look their best. I would be daring here and even say this - the camera is more forgiving than real life is, so if you look tired with under-eye circles, men also can apply some light concealer and translucent powder to hide the fatigue. It will give you an instant lift and freshness. For the ladies - don’t underestimate the power of physical appearance. You don’t need to spend an hour applying makeup, but you still need to wear some, so you have a beautiful, healthy glow. Same goes for your hair. Treat yourself the same way as if you were going to the office.
Here is a quick 5 minutes makeup tutorial from one of my most favourite brands on the market - Bobbi Brown!
QUICK HAIR FIX FOR THE BUSY LADIES:
If you are a mom of a toddler like me, then you would agree that time is very limited resource and to keep it very real here - sometimes we end up with a "dirty hair" situation. Here is a quick fix for this and it can be done literally in less than 5 minutes. You only need a comb and an elastic band. That's it!
Also, here is a quick and super easy 2min video tutorial.
TIP #5
PUT A SMILE ON THIS BEAUTIFUL FACE!
GET YOURSELF IN THE POSITIVE ZONE:
If for you this means lighting an aromatic candle and meditating beforehand or listening to your favourite song and saying your positive affirmations out loud - go ahead and DO IT!
And just remember that on the other side of that camera there is a human being that can benefit greatly from your positive energy. Even if this person is your boss, who you secretly hate - do it! It’s way more difficult to be hard on someone if they smile at you and shower you with positive energy.
Finally, don’t forget to stand with CONFIDENCE, because, darling, you can do anything in life! You are unstoppable!
Now, go and kill those home office video calls ;))))!
Here is the video tutorial that I have created for you, explaining in details the different best practices to implement in order to have the best results during your video calls from home.
