Boudoir Hair and Makeup

This guide will give you boudoir hair and makeup inspiration for your photo shoot. It will also show what you can expect from your makeover when you book your photo shoot with us. See below to learn more about your pre session makeover or to book a lash appointment with Ducky before your photo shoot.

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Boudoir Hair & Makeup Inspiration

Boudoir Hair And Makeup Looks We’ve Done

What’s Included With Your Boudoir Makeover

Client Makeovers

Boudoir Hair and Makeup FAQ

Lash Extensions & Makeup Trials

Boudoir Hair & Makeup Inspiration

One of my favorite reasons I love hiring Ducky for my photo shoots is because she understands all the nerves you might be feeling and will help put your mind at ease before you step in front of the camera.

How, you might ask? Because she’s been photographed by me before and knows exactly how you feel. Here are some of the photos we’ve created together if you want some boudoir hair and makeup inspiration.

Model Ducky Rickman poses for some boudoir makeup inspiration. In this photo she has short blonde hair and extensive tattoos. She lies on her back on a wooden floor in front of a glowing fireplace dressed in a sparkling embellished white top and white bottoms with black lace accents. Her arms extend gracefully beside her as warm firelight dramatically illuminates the dark room.

Makeup artist for boudoir Ducky Rickman poses for some boudoir makeup looks. In this photo she has long blonde hair and extensive tattoos. She reclines in a purple velvet armchair dressed in delicate gray lace lingerie with one arm behind her head as warm lighting from a nearby lamp creates a cozy atmosphere in the dimly lit room with patterned wallpaper. Her eyeshadow notably pair with her outfit and the chair for a seamless look.

A woman with blonde hair and bangs and extensive tattoos poses for her photos after her boudoir makeover. She sits in a red leather armchair dressed in an ornate embellished top with black lace as one hand rests in her hair and the other on the chair arm while dramatic lighting illuminates her against the dark wood paneled background.

Boudoir hairstyles inspiration featuring a woman with long blonde hair and extensive tattoos. She poses for her session as she gazes directly at the camera with one hand touching her hair while draped in a leopard print garment against a geometric patterned background in dramatic black and white lighting.

Boudoir Hair And Makeup Looks We’ve Done

The safest makeup option is to go with a natural look for your photos. That said, if you want to try and style your photos with avent garde colored eye shadows and lip stains, we can do that too!

We find that it’s best to first look at the colors of the outfits you brought for your session, and your features and devise a color pallet and plan from there.

Ducky excels at helping you style your look if you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the choices. Just give us as much or as little direction as you prefer and we’ll take it from there.

Below you’ll find some boudoir hair and makeup looks we’ve done for some of our recent clients to give you some ideas before your photo shoot.

boudoir makeup ideas featuring a peacock iridescent eyeshadow look for a clients photo shoot. She wears a white lace top while dramatic lighting highlights her iridescent teal and burgundy eye makeup and dark red nails against a dark background with soft glowing bokeh lights. — Peacock Iridescent Eyeshadow

boudoir makeup ideas featuring a woman with long brown hair a light smokey eyes with a berry lip stain. She stands with her head tilted down and eyes closed while one hand gently holds the strap of her dark teal lace bra against a textured brown backdrop in soft studio lighting. — Light Smokey Eyes With Berry Lips

A woman with dark hair and dark smoked out eyes poses for her boudoir photo shoot. She lies on her stomach on white bedding with her head propped on one hand while wearing black lace lingerie as warm golden lighting creates a soft intimate atmosphere in the bedroom setting. — Dark Smoked Out Eyes

Natural boudoir makeup looks featuring a woman with dark hair wearing a black lace bodysuit. She stands in soft warm lighting with her hands brushing her hair out of her face with blurred string lights behind her. — Natural lips with golden Smokey eye

A woman with dark hair and dark blue eyeshadow poses for her boudoir session. She stands in a softly lit room wearing a light blue sheer babydoll with lace trim and a matching ribbon while holding the hem of the garment with both hands. Warm lighting illuminates the wooden floor and dark curtains behind her as she looks down with a gentle smile. — Dark blue eye shadow with subtle red lip

A woman with long dark hair poses for her boudir session featuring plum eyeshadow and lips with dark eyeliner. She leans against a dark wooden table while wearing deep burgundy lace lingerie as warm light from a nearby lamp illuminates the scene and creates soft shadows against an ornate gilded mirror in the background. — Plum shadow and lips with dark eyeliner

A woman with long blonde hair and light smokey eyeshadow poses for her boudoir session with loose curls. She looks down gently while running her fingers through her hair with both hands as bright natural light from a large window creates a soft glowing effect across the scene. — Light Smokey Eye With Loose Curls

A woman with dark hair and natural boudoir makeup with wing tip liner rests her face gently in her hands while looking toward the camera. Soft lighting highlights her features as she poses in a close-up portrait with a calm and thoughtful expression. 2.2s Upgrade to SuperGrok Boudoir Session with Tattoo-Focused Makeup Artist - Grok — Natural look with wing tip liner

A woman with brown hair lies lies on her back with her eyes closed so you can see the boxed smokey eyeshadow with golden pink highlights. She wears black lace lingerie while soft warm lighting from a bedside lamp gently illuminates her skin and creates a cozy atmosphere in the dimly lit bedroom. — Boxed smoky eyeshadow with golden pink highlights

A woman with dark hair and plum eyeshadow and lips lies on her back on white bedding with her knees bent and one hand resting near her head as she poses for her boudoir session. She wears pink lace lingerie while warm golden light from a bedside lamp softly illuminates the bedroom scene. — Plum shadow and lips

boudoir looks example of a boxed eyeshadow with warm undertones and natural lips look for this boudoir session. She stands gracefully in soft warm lighting while wearing dark green lace lingerie with garter straps as she holds the waistband and looks to the side in an elegant room with classic architectural details. — Boxed Eyeshadow With Warm Undertones, Natural Lips

A woman with shoulder-length blonde hair and smokey eyeshadow with berry undertones and berry lips poses for her boudoir session. She stands near a window while wearing an open black tuxedo jacket with a matching bow tie and black lace bottoms as she gently holds the lapels of the jacket with both hands in soft natural lighting. — Berry Undertones With Smoky Eye and Berry Lips

What’s Included With Your Boudoir Makeover

Basically you can tell Ducky to do whatever style you want or show her your Pinterest board and she’ll work towards that look with you at your makeover.

Alternatively, you can let her do whatever she wants and that always turns out spectacular! Some women want natural looks, while other’s choose to liven things up with more dramatic eye shadows and lip stains. It’s totally up to you however you want to style your images. I think both looks can be beautiful in the right context.

Whatever style makeup you decide, your boudoir makeover includes:

Hair Straightening or Curls
Pre Moisturizing
Foundation / Contouring
Eye Shadow W/Custom Mixed Colors
Eye Liner, Wing Tips, Waterline etc.
Mascara / Strip Lashes
Lip Liner and Stains W/Custom Mixed Colors

Boudoir makeup looks featuring a woman with blonde hair, bangs and extensive tattoos. She lies on her back on a patterned chaise lounge dressed in an ornate embellished bra top with white bottoms and black lace stockings as one arm rests above her head and the other on her thigh while she looks directly at the camera in warm lighting.

Client Makeovers

A tattooed makeup artist with short blonde hair, glasses, and a septum piercing applies eyeshadow to a smiling client in a minimalist, well-lit space. The artist, wearing a black sleeveless top, leans in with a focused yet friendly expression, holding a blending brush near the client’s closed eyelid. Her arms feature bold black tattoos, including a detailed portrait of a woman with tears and a coiling snake. The client, with wavy, light brown hair, wears a black tank top and a delicate silver necklace, appearing relaxed and happy. The scene captures the intimate, artistic process of client eyeshadow application, emphasizing skill, trust, and creativity in makeup artistry.

A makeup artist carefully applies black eyeliner to a client’s upper lash line, creating a smooth, precise wing to complement the sultry, blended eyeshadow in shades of deep plum and shimmering gold. The client’s eye is closed, showcasing long, voluminous lashes that enhance the dramatic look. The artist’s hands, adorned with sparkling rhinestone-accented nails, gently hold the client's eyelid taut for flawless application. Soft lighting highlights the warmth of the client’s freckled skin and the subtle sheen of her lips. This detailed close-up captures the artistry and precision behind eyeliner for boudoir photos, enhancing the subject’s allure and confidence for an intimate, empowering photoshoot.

A makeup artist meticulously applies eyeliner during a boudoir makeup eyeliner application session. The woman receiving the makeup has bold, vibrant eyeshadow in pink, purple, and shimmering champagne tones that accentuate her eye shape. The makeup artist uses a black eyeliner pencil to define her lower waterline, enhancing the sultry, smoky effect. Her eyelashes are long and voluminous, complementing the dramatic eyeshadow. Her hair is styled sleek and straight with bangs, and subtle blonde highlights add contrast and texture. The artist’s hands, adorned with glittery, silver nails, are steady as she carefully applies the liner. A floral tattoo is visible on the artist's wrist, and the blurred background reveals a warm, cozy setting, emphasizing the intimate nature of the boudoir makeup eyeliner application process.

A close-up captures the delicate process of boudoir makeup foundation application. A soft, fluffy makeup brush gently sweeps across the woman’s cheek, blending foundation to create a smooth, even complexion. Her skin appears radiant and natural, with a subtle glow highlighting her cheekbones. Her eyes are adorned with a smoky eyeshadow in shades of deep brown and soft mauve, seamlessly blended to create depth and drama. Her eyelashes rest softly against her skin as her eyes remain closed during the application. Her lips are a soft, natural pink, adding to the fresh and effortless look. Her hair cascades in soft waves, partially visible in the background. The lighting is bright and natural, emphasizing the flawless finish achieved through the boudoir makeup foundation application.

A makeup artist applies a rich, rosy lip stain during a boudoir makeup lip stain application session. The woman's lips are slightly parted as the artist uses a fine brush to carefully define the edges and blend the color into the natural texture of her lips. The lip stain is a bold pinkish-berry hue, enhancing her complexion with a soft, seductive touch. Her eyes are closed, showcasing smoky eyeshadow in blended tones of deep charcoal and warm brown, with a subtle shimmer highlighting the inner corners. Her skin appears flawless with a radiant finish, and her long, golden-blonde hair cascades softly over her shoulder. The artist’s nails, painted with a marble-like gray design, add a touch of modern flair to the scene. The blurred reflection of the makeup application in the mirror adds an intimate, behind-the-scenes feel to this boudoir beauty moment.

A makeup artist carefully applies a set of false strip lashes during a boudoir strip lash application. The woman’s eyelids are adorned with warm, smoky eyeshadow in rich copper and deep brown tones, blended seamlessly across the crease. A thin line of metallic silver eyeliner traces her upper lash line, adding a touch of shimmer to the bold eye look. The makeup artist’s hand, with nails painted mint green and featuring delicate white line art, gently presses the strip lash into place. The dark, voluminous lashes instantly enhance the woman's eyes, complementing the sultry boudoir makeup. Her lips are bare with a natural pink hue, and her complexion has a soft matte finish. The close-up captures the precision and artistry involved in the lash application, highlighting the transformation of the eyes into a focal point of the boudoir look.

In this intimate preparation scene, a woman with light skin and straight, blonde-highlighted brown hair sits serenely with her eyes closed as a makeup artist applies eyeshadow to her upper eyelids. The woman wears an off-the-shoulder, cream-colored sweater that subtly reveals her collarbone, contributing to the soft, sensual tone of the moment. Her complexion is even and naturally radiant, enhanced by minimal foundation and a touch of blush. The makeup artist, visible in the foreground with a tattooed arm and wearing glasses, uses a fine brush to blend a warm, copper-toned shadow onto the eyelid, creating depth while maintaining a soft, romantic finish. The gentle lighting and neutral-toned background, possibly a bed with white sheets and a beige headboard, add to the relaxed, cozy atmosphere. This application scene perfectly illustrates Boudoir makeup tips for better photos, emphasizing the importance of warm, flattering tones and professional blending to enhance natural features without overpowering them.

Boudoir Hair and Makeup FAQ

Below are some answers to common questions I get about boudoir hair and makeup.

Do Lash Extensions Look Tacky?

Sometimes lash extensions make a definitive enhancement, sometimes they look tacky. It depends on what kind of physical lash extension you choose and the skill of the lash tech.

For example, super dense volume lashes look tacky because they’re very un-natural looking in their density. This is because these lashes split from one to two, or three hairs which make them unnaturally thick.

Classic lash extensions (single hair extensions) with tasteful length can look excellent and natural even in close up shots where you’re looking down.

Tips To Avoid Tacky Lash Extensions

As with everything else though there’s good techs and bad techs. Bad work will look tacky. Here’s a few tips to make sure you don’t get lash extensions that look tacky:

Volume lashes can look tacky because of their un-natural volume, opt for classic lashes (single hair extensions) for the most natural look.
If you have to brush them often they’re probably too long. The length should be lightly embellished but not overly so. Too long and things start getting weird.
They should match your hair color. If you’re a redhead, don’t go with black lashes. Likewise if you have black hair, obviously don’t choose strawberry blond lashes as they will clash.
Clumps of adhesive or other signs of shoddy workmanship always looks tacky.
Avoid bad techs and hire Ducky Rickman who did the beautiful lash extensions in the first picture below

Do Lash Extensions Look Tacky? — An Example of Tasteful Lash Extensions

An Example of Lash Extensions Done Too densely

Strip Lashes Can Look Great In Portraits With Your Eyes Open

Strip Lashes Can Look Tacky — Strip Lashes Look Tacky in Close Ups With Your Eyes Down

Lash Extensions & Makeup Trials

A tattooed woman with vibrant purple hair, a septum piercing, and striking eye makeup sits on a black stool in an eclectic, plant-filled studio. She smiles confidently while holding a fluffy makeup brush near her face. Her arms and neck are covered in intricate black and gray tattoos, including floral designs and ornamental patterns. She wears a sleeveless, tie-dye top with embroidered red roses, paired with black leggings. Behind her, shelves filled with plants, books, and decorative objects create a cozy, artistic atmosphere. A heart-shaped, painted decoration hangs on the wall, adding a touch of whimsy. The setting suggests a creative workspace, likely belonging to makeup artist Ducky Rickman, as she exudes both artistry and personality.

If you want the best lashes for your boudoir photo shoot, book a lash extension appointment with Ducky 1-2 days before your photo shoot.

While the vast majority of our clients choose to to just get strip lashes before their photo shoot, lash extension are a really nice upgrade for close up beauty portraits and more refined looks.

If you’d like to experiment with an avent garde look before your boudoir photo shoot, you can also schedule a makeup trial with Ducky before your session using the links below.