Everyone is taking selfies these days, including me. The problem is, I don’t always like how I look. To improve my appearance in this modern practice, I decided to investigate how I can look my best every single time. My solutions are not earth-shattering, but I think there are people out there that could use some tips. The answer to great selfies is to use props that bring out your best physical qualities or at least cover up what you don’t like. Here are the solutions that I’ve found.
Use the Ocean as a Background
Every picture of me taken at the beach with the ocean in the background is a stunner. My hair is golden. My skin is smooth and clear of blemishes, and my smile always shines. Apparently, the grey-blues and white foam of the ocean waves complement every shade of skin and hair color. Even when my hair is blowing directly across my face, I look young and adventurous, wild and free. Doesn’t everyone want to look like that?
Wear a Pair of Sunglasses
I’ve discovered why movie stars wear sun glasses in so many of their photos. Sunglasses cover up squinty, little, cross-eyed, or tired eyes. I, for example, have small eyes that turn into half-moons when I smile too hard or when the sun is blazing into my face. When I put on a pair of sunglasses, however, I can make my eyes as big as I want and change the color from green to luscious brown. Depending on what I’m wearing, I can imitate any celebrity from a rock star to a sultry soap opera actress.
Put On a Hat
I know a professor who is bald on top of his head. He wears a beret hat every day, all day, and, instead of people thinking about how bald he is, they notice his charming hat and admire his taste. I’m not bald, but I do have bad hair days when my cowlicks decide to stick straight up. If I’m taking a photo on one of those days, I just cover my hair with a floppy hat and paste my bangs to my forehead with a wet comb. Using this technique at the beach makes so much sense.
Wear Pink
O.K. Not everyone looks good in pink, but I do. It’s my best color, so, when I know I’m going to be in a photo, I wear it. My husband looks great in medium blue. My daughter looks great in orange, and my son looks best in deep red. Everyone compliments you when you’re wearing the color that looks best on you. Pay attention next time and wear that color for your next selfie.
Add a Dog to the Picture
Even people who don’t own dogs love them. Adding a dog to the photograph will distract anyone from noticing your crooked smile, squinty eyes, the pimples on your chin, or the ear that’s missing an earring. They won’t be looking at you at all since your dog will capture their heart with her floppy ears, mischievous eyes, or pug nose.
If all else fails and you still don’t like the selfie you took, I recommend that you keep it anyway. File it on your laptop and don’t look at it for a few years. When you finally do, you’ll love seeing how young you looked back then.
Tess Perko's Blog 