Have you always wanted to create makeup tutorials or film other beauty content, but you’re not sure where to start? We’re here to help! Finding the right equipment and setting it up to get the perfect shot can be intimidating, so that’s why we’re going to walk you through everything you need to become a makeup content creator. Plus, we’ll spill the tea on why Freedah Luxury’s Lighted Mirrors are the most important piece of equipment in your arsenal for getting the perfect shot every time!
What You Need
If you’re new to content creation, then there’s a couple things you’ll need to buy (or you may already have) to make sure that you’re creating high quality content. To film makeup tutorials, make sure you have:
- Camera (or your iPhone works too if you’re not ready to invest in a high quality camera just yet)
- Camera stand
- Lighted mirror
- Vanity, desk, or table
- Adjustable chair
- Towel (that way you don’t hear the sound of you putting down products)
- Good blinds/window covering
Now that you’ve got all the items you’ll need to create your filming area, let’s talk about how all these items should be set up so you can get clear, crisp content every time!
How To Set Up Your Filming Space & Equipment
Your filming setup is extremely important. Where you have things placed is going to majorly impact the resulting content.
First things first, let’s talk about the room you’ll be filming in. You want to make sure that your back is to a wall with no natural light (i.e. windows) behind you. Place your vanity, desk, or table far enough away from the wall so that you don’t look too boxed in (at least 3 feet). Your chair is surprisingly important too! Having a chair that is comfy and can be adjusted will make your life way easier as you film. You’ll also want to make sure that any nearby blinds or curtains contain the natural light as much as possible. That way you avoid having shadows run across your face or having the sun stream in and mess with your lighting.
Speaking of lighting, let’s move on to one of the top pieces of equipment that you’ll need – your lighting! Having your face well lit during filming is really going to make or break your video. Proper lighting is essential in order to prevent shadows and keep your face lit from all angles. You’ll want to be sure you have LED lights – they’re more energy efficient, last longer, and offer a bright, yet soft glow. We recommend our LED Makeup Mirror to give you the perfect amount of lighting from all angles. Plus, you can control the brightness of the lights as well as the color temperature. You can also adjust the tilt of the mirror to get the perfect angle.
After you’ve set up your lighted mirror towards the back of your vanity, you’ll move on to setting up your camera. If you’ll be using your phone to film, one thing to note is that you’ll want to make sure you get a really sturdy camera holder. Don’t skimp on the camera holder because your camera staying steady and straight is extremely important – especially if you have to piece together multiple takes! Your camera/phone will be set up just in front of your lighted mirror at face height.
Now you may be wondering, “Why use an LED lighted mirror instead of a ring light?”. Some content creators do use a ring light and then have a separate mirror positioned below the camera. However, if your mirror is below the camera, you really can’t be using it while filming since you’ll have to look down in order to do so. Instead of relying solely on your camera’s viewfinder or your phone in order to see yourself, using a lighted mirror behind your camera gives you that extra reflection so you can see yourself without having to look down.
Start Filming
Now that you know what you need and how to set everything up, it’s time to start creating your content! You’re going to be a makeup tutorial pro in no time! And if there are still items you need to check off your list in order to get started, check out our range of lighted makeup mirrors to find the perfect one for your content creation needs.