TV Interview Make-up Tips -- Look as Good as You Sound

By Scott Lorenz
President
Westwind Communications

While you want to shine during your first television interview you don’t want your face to shine. That’s why makeup techniques are so important, because shiny cheeks or forehead can create unsightly glare in front of the camera.

Television cameras and bright lights will alter your appearance drastically and there’s no way around it – makeup is essential. So men will have to swallow their macho inhibitions and the ladies will have to enhance their knowledge of makeup so they can look their absolute best sitting on the couch opposite Oprah.

Applying makeup and selecting what to wear are two key components of a successful television interview that are covered in media training. If you’ve not had media training, believe me it’s too late once you get the call. You may have to get in a car or on a plane within an hour’s notice. It’s too late to get the training then. That’s why you need to be prepared before you get the call. When my clients agree to media training, I suggest Jess Todtfeld, President of Media Training Worldwide www.mediatrainingworldwide.com/

Jess was a producer on the national level for NBC, ABC, and FOX. During that time he booked and produced over 4,000 segments. 10 of those years were spent at Cable TV’s #1 news channel, FOX NEWS CHANNEL and including two years with “The O’Reilly Factor” and seven years “FOX & Friends.”

Jess has developed this “Makeup for TV” checklist for my clients that I share with you now as an example of what it takes to look your best on TV:

1. Apply powder on your nose, forehead, and face to avoid looking shiny, oily, and plastic.
2. Apply lip balm to help keep your lips moist.
3. Make sure the powder makeup you use is the same color as your skin, not lighter or darker.
4. Even if you never normally sweat, you will sweat on TV because of the hot lights. Makeup will make you look like you aren’t sweating.
5. If you are bald or balding, be sure to powder your head so it doesn’t shine.
6. You can't count on the makeup department at TV stations or networks. They might be busy, at lunch, or in a bad mood. Be prepared to do your own makeup.
7. The bright lights in the studio or on top of the camera will distort your features.
8. What looks like a close shave in person will look like a five o’clock shadow on TV, even if it’s only 9:00 a.m. With a little makeup, these imperfections fade away.
9. The pressure of appearing on TV also makes most people more nervous than usual, resulting in more perspiration.
10. You need to wear makeup, not to change your looks, but to keep yourself from having your looks altered beyond recognition.
11. Go to a makeup store like MAC which has a line of makeup especially for television or go to a department store and ask for professional grade makeup. Either place will help you pick the right colors and show you how to apply it.
12. Only apply as much makeup as you need. Using too much makeup is worse than wearing none.
13. Eyeliner and blush add accent to your face. Women know these techniques quite well but men should ask for help from their wife or significant other.

Makeup and clothes are the major factors in controlling how you appear to viewers. While appearance is critical for success on television you also must be concerned about the words that come out of your mouth, the knowledge you display, and the self-confidence you demonstrate. Media coaches like Jess Todtfeld and publicists like myself will make sure you are fully prepared for your big day!

The bottom line, RELAX, you’ll do fine. The butterflies you’re feeling are what will drive you to do your best! Just follow these helpful tips and you’ll look as good as you sound.

For another great resource check out video Media Training Worldwide created on how to apply makeup for a man’s TV appearance. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6eNhhI5XcI

About Scott Lorenz
Scott Lorenz is President of Westwind Communications, a public relations and marketing firm that has a special knack for working with doctors, lawyers, inventors and authors. His clients have been featured by Good Morning America, FOX & Friends, CNN, ABC Nightly News, The New York Times, Nightline, TIME, PBS, NPR, the Los Angeles Times, USA Today, Washington Post, Family Circle, Woman's World, & Howard Stern to name a few. To discuss how Westwind Communications helps its clients get all the publicity they deserve and more, call 734-667-2090 or email: scottlorenz@westwindcos.com . Visit: http://www.westwindcos.com