3 Appointments to Make Before Your Senior Session
As you count down the days to your senior photo session, there are three beauty appointments you definitely want to make beforehand. These simple steps will have you looking and feeling your best—and help take the stress out of getting ready!
From nails to skin to hair, here’s how to prep like a pro before your senior portraits.
Manicure & Pedicure Tips Before Your Senior Photo Session
Get your manicure and pedicure done a day or two before your senior session. This will ensure your polish and cuticles are fresh and ready to frame your face. Want to go the extra mile to make sure your nails are session-ready? Follow these quick tips:
Keep it neutral. Getting trendy with nail color can date your senior pictures, and you want to remain classic and timeless with beautifully polished neutral nails. Go for shimmery nudes or subtle shades of blush. Our top 3 favorite polish tones are OPI’s Substantially Tan (a blush-tinted neutral beige), Cosmo-Not Tonight Honey (a shimmery pale champagne), and Bare My Soul (a very natural nude).
Keep your hands moisturized. Moisturize for the entire week before your session. Use a heavy moisturizer on your hands, cuticles, and nails to help heal any cracked skin or broken nail beds. Sometimes your mani/pedi appointment can be a bit harsh on the sides of your nail beds, so make sure to use a salve like O’Keefe’s Working Hands Cream or Aquafor Healing Ointment.
Don’t destroy your nails. Try not to bite your nails or pick at your fingers for several weeks before your session. Red, flaky, and peeling skin around your nail beds can be unsightly in your photos, so do whatever you have to do to make sure that you keep your nails and fingers damage-free.
Facial Skincare Prep for Senior Pictures
Exfoliation and moisturization are important for a smooth makeup application, so why not let the professionals handle it? Book a facial with your fave esthetician a week before your session to ensure that your skin is makeup-ready on your big day.
Here are 5 things to remember to tell your esthetician when booking your appointment:
Skip harsh peels: Stay away from peel treatments. This is not the time for a chemical peel or any other harsh exfoliant peels that will leave you with red, inflamed, and peeling skin. Opt for a super gentle exfoliant (as explained below) and then an ultra-hydrating treatment that will leave your skin beautifully supple and moisturized.
No extractions: Don’t allow any extractions for this specific appointment. Picking at the skin should be avoided at all costs, and that includes professional extractions as these can leave your pores red, inflamed, and even scabbed in days time.
Avoid salicylic acid. Try to avoid using products containing salicylic acid at least a week before your senior session. It can leave your skin red and extremely dry, which can look patchy and textured. This will also be problematic when applying makeup, as it can settle in the patches.
Ask for gentle exfoliation. Exfoliate with a gentle physical exfoliator at least 4 days prior to your application session. It will help reduce dry patches and texturing. It will also smooth your skin, which will make your airbrush foundation apply smoothly to your face.
Groom your brow. Now is the time to groom your brows. Please groom your brows so they look clean! If you wax or tweeze your brows, do this at least a week before your session, usually at the same time as your facial. Brow waxing can cause a lot of redness and swelling, in some cases even some scabbing, which is why it’s smart to have it done a week before to ensure they have time to heal if necessary.
How to Prep Your Hair for Senior Portraits
Schedule a hair appointment for a trim and color about one week before your senior pictures. Here’s what to consider when you’re in the chair:
Avoid big changes. Now is not the time to try a new color or dramatic cut. Stick with what you love—you want to recognize yourself in your photos!
Touch up roots. If you color your hair, make sure roots are refreshed so everything looks polished in photos (and doesn't need to be Photoshopped later).
Maintain highlights. Get your highlights touched up and use salon-grade purple shampoo to keep them bright and fresh.
Get a trim. Clean up split ends and consider long layers—they add movement and photograph beautifully!
Match your extensions. If you’ll be wearing extensions, make sure they’re trimmed, styled, and color-matched to your natural hair so everything blends seamlessly.
Before you schedule your nail, skin, or hair appointments, make sure your senior portrait session is on the calendar! Once you book, you’ll get access to our full senior prep guide, session info, pricing, and more.
Contact us here to get started!
Let’s make your senior session stress-free, polished, and totally YOU. I’ll help guide you through every step so you can feel confident and camera-ready from head to toe!
Keep Shining,
Mariela