Dating is different now. There's just no way around it. You can't meet someone on Hinge, chat for a few days, and then make plans to meet. Well, you could, but you'd be making plans to meet way in the future. It doesn't totally mean that we're off dating, but it does mean that if we want to "meet" anyone, we have to use technology.
Luckily, we have the technology to do that. We can have a FaceTime or a Zoom call and get to know someone better than we would if we just stuck to chatting on our apps. Don't get me wrong — it is not the same as meeting someone in real life. You can't reach out and touch them, smell them, or even get a vibe for their physical presence.
Dating can be weird and awkward even when you're not meeting for the first time through a screen. Still, you can lay some groundwork and have a decent first date that way. One thing that might make you a little more comfortable is feeling like you're presenting yourself in the best way. Enter our handy Zoom beauty tips.
These tips are unique to chatting through Zoom because you might look different online depending on a variety of factors. Check out these seven tips to look your best on your next Zoom date.
1. Take Time To Get Ready
The first tip is pretty standard: Put in some effort! Seriously, just because it's a virtual date doesn't mean you should show up in your sweats (at least on your upper half!). Prepare the same way you would for an in-person date, whether that means styling your hair, putting on makeup, or doing whatever you would normally do to feel comfortable and beautiful in your skin.
Showing that you care will probably make your date feel good that you put in the effort, too.
2. Play With the Lighting
Just like how bad lighting can ruin a photograph, it can also ruin your appearance on a FaceTime or Zoom call. Play around with where you want to sit and chat. Backlighting is notoriously bad for virtual chats, as it can make you appear like a silhouette. You might not look bad; you'll just be hard to see. Likewise, if the room is too dark, you'll look like a floating head!
Unless you're a photographer, you probably don't have high-tech lighting equipment, but you can still play with your lighting situation to get the desired result. If you face a window, that will light you up nicely. Natural light is always best when it's an option.
3. Give Your Date Some Breathing Room
If you hold the (phone) camera too close to your face, you're going to look a bit distorted. Also, you might suffocate your date, and whoa now — you just met! Position your device a couple of feet away from you so that everyone has room to breathe. You'll look more like yourself, too.
4. Watch Out for Wine Lips
Many people have been using virtual dates to have happy hours, which can be totally fun! But if you're having a snack or a glass of wine, make sure you don't have those pesky wine lips. Luckily, it's easier to notice while you're on a virtual chat than in person, since you can see your own picture reflected back at you on the screen. But if you're really tuned in to your date, you might not notice right away. Just like in person, it's totally OK to excuse yourself to check your makeup, your teeth, or your wine mouth!
5. Open Your Eyes
Looking at a screen for hours can make your eyes extremely tired. So if you're scheduling a Zoom date after your workday is through, you may have to make an extra effort to open your eyes a little wider! If you don't, you might look like you're nodding off. So if makeup and lighting aren't doing the trick, open your eyes! Also, taking a break from tech just before your date can help you to reset and feel a little fresher.
6. Try a Pop of Color
Whether it's a bright lipstick or a blue T-shirt that matches your eye shadow, a pop of color can go a long way. Even if you are someone who usually wears dark clothing and opts for a more natural look, color is really helpful on a virtual date. It will prevent you from looking washed out or dreary even if the lighting situation isn't perfect.
7. Mind Your Skin
We all have skin problem areas sometimes, but cameras can make them look worse. So when you know you have a virtual date, take care of your skin beforehand. Getting a good night's sleep, drinking tons of water, and using a daily moisturizer goes a long way.
Before your date, you may also want to use a thin layer of concealer to blend in any red areas or trouble spots. Even if you aren't big into makeup, screens have a way of highlighting those trouble zones. A quick layer of concealer is all it takes, and you'll look extra fresh and totally date-ready.
