The worst turnoff for most people is a nude photo that’s poorly lit and lacks artistry. But a few simple tricks can make your naked photos look sexier.
For instance, try biting your lip to communicate passion or placing a lacy bra over your chest to show off your curves.
1. The right lighting
Nude art photography is an expressive form of expression that emphasizes the human body, while also tackling questions of aesthetics and human nature. It’s also a form of photography that requires mastery of light and shadow, as well as an understanding of how to pose and compose images to convey mood and emotion. For amateur photographers, this can be a tricky endeavor, especially when it comes to capturing the perfect nude selfie.
When it comes to taking the best nude selfies, lighting is everything. Ideally, you’ll want to use natural light whenever possible, but artificial lighting can work too—as long as it’s soft. A softbox or other diffuser will provide a soft, even light that can be directed in channels across your subject’s body. A third light, like a beauty dish, can be added for top-down light that illuminates your subject’s facial features and highlights the details in their hair.
You’ll also want to make sure your camera is set to the highest quality setting, and if you have one, a tripod is essential. It will prevent camera shake and help you capture a crisp, clear image. For more advanced photographers, a flash can be used to add more light to your subject’s face and body.
If you’re not ready to invest in professional lighting, a simple LED ring light can do the trick. Omfgmeow, a user on Reddit, says this type of light “showcases your makeup, evens out skin tone everywhere, and brings some light to your naughty parts so there’s less shadowing.” Box lights and umbrellas are next steps up in terms of sophistication but may be unnecessary if you’re just taking nude photos for fun.
Finally, you’ll want to pick out a nude lipstick that complements your complexion. For fair-skinned women, Stiles recommends MAC’s Coral Peach and Shea Nude lipsticks. For medium-toned women, she suggests Nars’s Lip Gloss in Belize, which is a rosy pink mauve with gold flecks, or their Biscayne Park lipstick. For darker skin tones, she recommends Kosas’ Weightless Lipstick in Vegas, which is a neutral beige shade with silver flecks that compliments tanned skin.
2. The right pose
It’s easy to forget that nudes can be a very erotic and seductive form of communication, especially when done right. They’re a great way to build sexual tension and foreplay, as well as to spice up long distance relationships.
To take the best nude photos, it’s important to pick poses that accentuate your body parts and make you feel confident. For example, if you have beautiful cleavage, take a photo that shows it off in all its glory. Similarly, if you have sexy legs, pose them in a way that showcases them.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the best nudes are those that look natural and effortless. If you’re posing for nude pictures after a hard workout, you probably don’t want to be holding an Uncrustable and a water bottle in your hand. Try to get in the headspace that you would be in during a sexy moment to capture the most sensual, erotic and sexy pictures.
Using props can also help you come up with creative and sexy poses. For example, you could use lingerie or a hat to give the picture a more intimate and seductive feel. Or you could use a blanket to cover up certain areas of your body, like the tummy or butt. Other options include a plushie or pillow, a book, a sheet, or even bubbles in a bathtub. You can also try different sexy poses, like the splits or kissing.
Remember, however, that there are some risks to sending nude photos, including that the person you’re communicating with might be less than trustworthy or that they might use your nude pics against you (blackmail or revenge porn). It’s also important to remember that whatever you post online is forever. So think carefully before you send any nude photos!
It’s also a good idea to use an app that protects your privacy, such as Signal or Telegram. These apps encrypt your messages, so if someone intercepts your nude messages, they won’t be able to read them. You can also choose to go faceless to prevent anyone from identifying you.
3. The right background
If you’re going to send nudes, it’s important to consider the background. The right background can be the difference between a clean, sexy picture and a trashy, unappealing one. You should choose a backdrop that doesn’t reveal too much about you, such as your house number or a family photo.
If possible, try to avoid open windows. Well-known landmarks in your area may be visible through them, and people might be able to trace the photos back to your home. Similarly, don’t take the pictures in front of any overflowing laundry hampers or stacks of mail. These are easy to miss, but they can ruin the vibe of your nude photo.
You can also use the cropping tool in your favorite photo-editing software to remove the background from a picture. However, be careful not to overdo it—too much editing can cause the skin tone of the person in the picture to look too pink or blue. It’s a good idea to test out different settings and poses before you take your final picture. If you’re not confident enough to click your own nudes, ask a friend or hire someone to do it for you. A professional photographer will be able to work with you to find the best pose and lighting for your photos.
You can also create your own nude background by using a fabric designer on Spoonflower. The site’s designs are made by independent artists who can earn royalties from every sale. They can be used for fabric, wallpaper and other home decor products like curtains. Choose a design that complements your skin tones, then upload it to your account. You can even choose to have the designer match the color of your skin tones to get a perfect look.
4. The right makeup
Choosing makeup that complements your skin tone and lip color is essential to getting the perfect nude look. Almost all cosmetic companies have lines for specific coloring, making it easy to find products that are as close to your natural shade as possible. If you’re a do-it-yourselfer, peruse beauty supplies stores for palettes that make it simple to coordinate your makeup, or head to the department store beauty counters where employees can help you select neutral-colored products that perfectly suit you.
If you want to try a more dramatic nude makeup look, add definition with a brown liquid liner and an eye shadow palette that gives your brows and lids the starring role. The eyeshadows in this palette—which Sephora has a hard time keeping in stock—are universally flattering and range from pale taupes to espresso browns.
A light blush in a dusty rose or pastel pink is the best nude makeup color for medium skin tones. “It gives a just-ran-through-the-fields flushed look,” says Glamazon Beauty founder Kim Baker. For a subtle contour, choose a darker blush in a brown or bronze tone to define the area around your cheekbones and down the sides of your nose.
For a subtle but impactful lipstick, try a nude lip gloss or natural-toned matte. The latter is a great option for women who want to avoid a full-coverage lipstick, which can look too heavy and unnatural on a nude face.
If you have dark skin, look for a lipstick with warm undertones and a matte finish. This shade in particular will work for most complexions because of its combination of cool and warm tones. “It’s a gorgeous formula, and it’s not drying,” says Oprah Daily beauty director Kate Sandoval Box.
A good way to determine if a makeup shade suits you is to examine your veins and see if they’re more blue or green. If your skin has cooler undertones, go for gray-based or cool-toned lipsticks and eyeshadows, while warm-toned complexions will look better with yellow-based or golden-colored shades. This palette, from a Black woman-owned brand, features a mix of warm and cool tones that will work for most dark complexions, including some with reddish undertones.