Boudoir by Bri
30 Real Beauty Tips from a Saint Louis Boudoir Photographer
SAINT LOUIS BOUDOIR PHOTOGRAPHER
Hello and welcome! I’m Bri (Boudoir by Bri), a boudoir photographer based in Saint Louis, Missouri. Most of the blogs I share here are about preparing for a boudoir photoshoot or helping clients feel confident during their session. But this month, I wanted to switch things up a little.
After photographing so many incredible women over the years, I’ve picked up a lot of small beauty habits and confidence tricks along the way. When you work in a field centered around beauty, sensuality, and celebrating confidence, you start noticing what truly makes people glow. And no, I’m not just talking about botox and filler.
So today, I’m sharing some honest beauty tips from a boudoir photographer. These are simple things I’ve learned through my work, through personal trial and error, and through conversations with clients.
Of course, not every tip will work for everyone. Take what resonates with you and leave the rest. But hopefully a few of these ideas help you feel a little more polished, confident, and comfortable in your own skin.
And most importantly: the real glow-up always starts on the inside. Self-care, self-growth, and self-respect matter far more than any beauty trick. Everything else is just the finishing touch.
Beauty and Grooming Tips
Choose a haircut that suits your face
A good haircut can completely change your appearance. Your hair should complement your face shape and personal style. The most general advice I could give here is probably not to let heavy, long, chunky, flat pieces of hair frame your face too closely or too severely. (Also, this doesn’t mean you need to spend a fortune on your hair! I trim my own bangs and only get a professional haircut 2-3 times a year. I see hairwithjules_ in Arnold, Missouri. She’s so sweet and specializes in thick, wavy hair like mine!)
Take care of your eyes
If your eyes tend to get red or irritated, anti-redness eye drops can make you look more awake and refreshed instantly. But use them sparingly—I bought these after an influencer’s suggestion and after some Googling, learned that long-term use isn’t great for your eyes.
Find your personal style
If you’re not sure what your style is, here’s what I did: I made a Pinterest board of outfits I loved. Not just fancy or formal outfits, but streetwear and casual outfits I could see myself running errands in or hanging out with friends. Then, I was able to look at my Pinterest board and see patterns in what kind of wardrobe I’m drawn to. I’ve recently gone through a pretty ruthless closet purge, and I’ll be slowly building an updated wardrobe around my favorite aesthetic.
Wear nice things at home
You don’t have to save cute clothes or pretty pajamas for special occasions. Wearing something I feel put together and cute in at home (instead of t-shirts and sweatpants from college) totally changed the game for me. Now when I’m at home, I wear cute matching sets that are still prioritizing comfort, and I wear nice pajamas every single night. Every item of clothing I had that was torn, worn out, stained in any way, etc. is gone. Please try it! It really does subtly boost your mood and confidence.
Groom the details
Small grooming habits make a big difference. Take care of your nails, hands, and feet. Groom your brows. Keep facial hair maintained if that’s something you deal with (that is SO normal so don’t let anyone make you feel weird about it).
Smell nice
Whether it’s perfume, lotion, or just soap and freshly washed clothes, smelling nice can instantly make you feel more put together. It also makes a nice impression, as long as you’re not suffocating everyone around you with something too strong! I tend to be really sensitive to perfumes, so a lotion or a body mist helps me still feel like I’m wearing something without getting a headache. My go-tos: Sol de Janeiro Rio Radiance, Victoria’s Secret Velvet Petals, and Valentino Donna Born in Roma. You can keep a mini deodorant in your purse, and use a gentle glycolic acid on your underarms a few nights per week. The Ordinary has a good one!
Tend to your teeth
Honestly, your smile can make a bigger difference than anything else. Take good care of your teeth and your breath. Floss, brush, tongue scraper, mouthwash. Every single day.
Skincare Habits TO Help You Glow
Hydrate, sleep, and moisturize
The foundations of healthy skin! No expensive product can replace water, sleep, and consistent moisturizing. Learn the difference between lotion and moisturizer, and do the research and testing to figure out which serum is the one you actually need.
Fix dry skin at the root
If you struggle with dryness, look at what might be causing it—harsh products, hot showers, dehydration, etc. If it’s within your budget, occasional facials can also help maintain healthy skin. (I found out the hard way that my skin is way too sensitive for Vitamin C! It took forever to figure out that was the culprit.)
Take care of your lips
For chronically chapped lips, Aquaphor has been the most reliable solution I’ve ever found. Also, you don’t have to spend money on expensive lip exfoliators! Using a washcloth or even your toothbrush works just fine.
Use a humidifier in your bedroom
Especially during dry seasons, a humidifier can help your skin (and sinuses!).
Double cleanse at night
Removing makeup properly is essential. Personally, I use micellar water first, followed by a gentle cleanser (my favorite for the last few years is Farmacy Green Clean). Then, I finish with my serums and moisturizer.
Don’t forget your neck
Whatever skincare products you’re applying to your face—moisturizer, serums, sunscreen—bring them down to your neck as well.
Hair Tips That Make Getting Ready Easier
Use a hair mask once a week
Hair masks can make a noticeable difference in shine and softness. To make it feel less like a chore, I don’t make myself stick to a strict schedule. I keep the jar in my shower and do a mask when I feel like it—which ends up being once every 7-10 days.
Blow dry your roots or face-framing pieces
Even if you don’t fully style your hair, drying the roots and front pieces can make your whole look seem more polished.
Dry shampoo can help extend washes
A little dry shampoo can refresh your hair quickly between washes. In a pinch, you can also just wash your front/top sections of hair in the sink.
Tame flyaways in a pinch
A tiny bit of lotion rubbed between your fingers can help smooth flyaway hairs.
Simple Makeup Tips
Check your makeup in natural light
Always try to do your makeup in natural light—or at least check it before leaving the house. I hate when I get in the car and then notice in the rearview mirror that something wasn’t fully blended.
Focus on a few key products
You don’t need a huge routine, unless you want one. Mascara, concealer, blush, brows, and lip balm can go a very long way. If I want to look a little more alive and awake but don’t want to do a full face of makeup, I’ll fill my brows just slightly, put on a really light coat of mascara, and some tinted lip balm. Easy peasy.
Try tightlining your eyeliner
Applying eyeliner to the top waterline can make your lashes look fuller without heavy liner. It feels really clumsy at first, but you'll get the hang of it.
Place contour slightly higher
Instead of placing contour deep in the hollows of your cheeks, try placing it a bit higher so it mimics the shadow of your cheekbone and lifts your face. We want to look lifted, not starving!
Be intentional with lash extensions/glue-on lashes
Ask yourself: do you want the look of extended, natural-looking lashes, or the look of wearing fake lashes? Both are perfectly fine—but it helps to know the effect you’re going for. (I wish I could give you more advice on this one, but fake lashes are way too intimidating for me 😅)
Confidence and Lifestyle Habits That Elevate Everything
Stand tall
Good posture changes everything. Move with confidence, avoid hunching, and try not to constantly adjust your clothes. This is one I have to remind myself of often.
Wear the fancy thing
Don’t save beautiful clothes for “someday.” Wearing something special can change the way you carry yourself.
Find movement you enjoy
Exercise doesn’t have to mean intense workouts. Walking, stretching, or any movement you genuinely enjoy is more sustainable.
Make beauty sleep actually beauty sleep
If you can, try sleeping on your back to avoid squishing your face into the pillow. Without a doubt, this is the hardest habit I’m still trying to break. It’s so simple: if I sleep all night with my cheeks squished, I see indents by my mouth in the mirror. If I sleep all night on my back, I don’t.
Keep a lint roller if you have pets
A mini lint roller in your purse can be a lifesaver.
Read
Taking time to read, learn, and grow mentally is part of taking care of yourself, too. Grow your vocabulary. Intelligence is hot.
Be kind
Kindness is one of the most underrated forms of beauty. Being warm and genuine with people goes far. I get the instant ick when someone isn’t polite to a server. And don't be sarcastic to people who don't know you well—it just makes people feel weird and leaves a bad taste in their mouth about you.
Introduce healthy foods slowly
Improving your diet doesn’t have to happen overnight. Even small steps toward healthier foods can make a difference.
Ready to celebrate your confidence?
Working as a boudoir photographer in Saint Louis, I’ve had the privilege of photographing so many incredible women. I love watching women realize just how beautiful they already are! And a boudoir session isn’t even about looking perfect—it’s about capturing your personality, confidence, and individuality.
One thing I’ve learned is that beauty rarely comes from dramatic transformations—it’s usually the result of small habits practiced consistently. The real magic happens when someone begins to take care of themselves, speak kindly to themselves, and move through the world with confidence. Everything else is just the sparkle on top.
If you’ve ever been curious about doing a boudoir photoshoot but felt nervous or unsure, that’s completely normal. My goal is always to create a relaxed, welcoming environment where you feel comfortable, supported, and celebrated. Whether you're doing it to mark a milestone, surprise a partner, or simply treat yourself, a boudoir session can be an incredibly empowering experience.
If you're ready to learn more about booking a boudoir photography session in Saint Louis, I’d love to chat with you! You can view my frequently asked questions, boudoir photoshoot session tips, and see all of my packaging right here on my website.
Reach out anytime to start planning your session. Thank you for reading this month’s blog!
🤎Bri