So, we’re all aware of the pandemic and we know that we are mostly working from and staying at home. The problem with working from home is that all of those gorgeous work outfits you have? They are going to waste! Sure, you may dress up for working from home, but the only bit of you that anyone sees is your head and shoulders during a video chat. No one is seeing the awesome shoes or the dress that goes down to there. No one is watching you strut in your heels – so what are you supposed to do?
Well, you can start by concentrating on the bits of you that people CAN see. Your head and shoulders are going to grace the screens of anyone you spend time with in a meeting, which means that you need an update to your Hair accessories and you should possibly get fully dressed regardless. Don’t forget, if you have to stand up to leave the room, your Disney pyjama trousers are going to be on display! So, those outfits may mostly go with the office and not the home office but that doesn’t mean that you can’t rock your look no matter what. So, how can you look your best during a video call?
- Use lighting. Your face needs to be filled with light to be seen properly on screen. When you get onto a meeting, put your window behind your computer rather than behind you. If the light comes from behind you, you’ll turn up as a silhouette blacked out on screen. If the light hits your face straight on, people will see you properly and you don’t need to be drowned out! Put a lamp behind your computer if you’re in a windowless room, too. You’ll be seen properly and you will be able to see everyone else, too.
- Keep your angles high. Low angles focus on making you look unflattering. Chin level and nostril videos are not ideal when you’re talking to clients, so keep your computer elevated so that your video camera points slightly downward at you. Angles can make a big difference to how you look on a screen and the idea here is to look your best!
- Practice great skincare. You don’t want the camera to show up blemishes and shadows, so keep to a great skincare routine. Don’t forget to moisturise your skin and your lips and you should also consider checking your own reflection on the camera – this way, you can see what you look like to others.
- Preparation is key. You need to prepare early in the day to make sure that you are joining in your meetings looking your best. Use your webcam to prepare yourself, and treat it as if you’re in a meeting. What can you see on the screen? Is your make up blended well? Be aware of the filter settings on Zoom and play around with them. You want to look prepared and presentable to others on camera so you can feel confident!
