Welcome to Our Nashville Boudoir Blog
Welcome to Holly Douglas & Co, where timeless elegance meets the art of empowerment. We are not just a boudoir studio; we are a sanctuary of self-expression and self-love, dedicated to helping you discover and embrace your inner beauty.
At HDCO in Nashville, Tennessee, we believe that every individual possesses a unique, captivating essence that deserves to be celebrated. Our mission is to create an empowering and transformative experience through the art of boudoir photography. We understand that the journey towards self-confidence and self-acceptance can be profound, and we are here to guide you through it.
Skincare Recommendations for Boudoir Perfection
Whether you love splurging on high-end products or prefer to keep things budget-friendly, Holly Douglas & Co has some amazing skincare recommendations for boudoir perfection!
Skincare Recommendations for Boudoir Perfection
Hey babe! Let’s talk about something super important—your skin! You know how we always want to look our absolute best, especially for those gorgeous boudoir photos, right? Well, having a great skincare routine is the key to feeling confident and looking flawless. Whether you love splurging on high-end products or prefer to keep things budget-friendly, I’ve got some amazing skincare recommendations for boudoir perfection!
Cleanser: The First Step to Flawless Skin
Think of your cleanser as the starting point for great skin. It’s like hitting the reset button, washing away all the dirt, makeup, and stress from your day. Whether your skin is dry, oily, or somewhere in between, there’s a perfect match out there to get your face feeling fresh and ready for your boudoir photoshoot or whatever the day brings.
For Dry Skin:
High-End: La Mer The Cleansing Foam - This luxurious cleanser is perfect for those with dry skin, offering a gentle yet effective cleanse that leaves your skin feeling soft and hydrated.
Budget-Friendly Alternative: CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser - A great option for dry skin, this cleanser is packed with ceramides and hyaluronic acid to retain moisture and soothe the skin.
For Oily Skin:
High-End: Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip Cleanser - This product is a favorite for oily skin, helping to balance and purify your complexion without stripping it.
Budget-Friendly Alternative: Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash - Known for its acne-fighting capabilities, this cleanser is ideal for oily skin, providing a deep clean to keep breakouts at bay.
For Combination Skin:
High-End: Tatcha The Deep Cleanse - This gel cleanser gently exfoliates and clarifies without over-drying, making it perfect for combination skin.
Budget-Friendly Alternative: Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser - A reliable and gentle option that effectively cleanses combination skin without disrupting its balance.
Exfoliator: Reveal Your Inner Glow
If you want that healthy glow in your boudoir photos, exfoliating is your secret weapon. It helps get rid of all those dead skin cells that can make your complexion look dull. A good exfoliator will leave your skin feeling smooth and looking bright—just don’t overdo it! A couple times a week is all you need.
For Dry Skin:
High-End: Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Resurfacing Night Serum - This serum exfoliates and resurfaces to reveal smoother, more radiant skin.
Budget-Friendly Alternative: The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution - A cost-effective yet powerful exfoliator that helps brighten and refine skin texture.
For Oily Skin:
High-End: Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel - These convenient peel pads offer a perfect balance of exfoliation and hydration, ideal for oily skin.
Budget-Friendly Alternative: Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant - A cult favorite for oily skin, this exfoliant helps to unclog pores and smooth out skin texture.
For Combination Skin:
High-End: Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment - A powerful treatment that delivers both physical and chemical exfoliation for combination skin.
Budget-Friendly Alternative: Aveeno Positively Radiant Skin Brightening Daily Scrub - This gentle scrub is perfect for combination skin, offering brightening effects without irritation.
Moisturizer: Lock in Hydration
“I really hope my skin looks dry and flakey in my boudoir photos, “ said no one EVER! Moisturizer is like a big drink of water for your skin. It locks in hydration and keeps everything feeling soft and supple. Whether your skin is thirsty for rich creams or just needs a light touch, moisturizing is a non-negotiable if you want that dewy, fresh-faced look.
For Dry Skin:
High-End: La Mer Crème de la Mer - A legendary moisturizer that deeply hydrates and soothes dry, sensitive skin.
Budget-Friendly Alternative: Nivea Soft Moisturizing Cream - This classic moisturizer provides rich hydration without the hefty price tag.
For Oily Skin:
High-End: Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream - A protein-packed moisturizer that hydrates without leaving a greasy finish.
Budget-Friendly Alternative: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel - An oil-free, lightweight gel that hydrates oily skin without clogging pores.
For Combination Skin:
High-End: Tatcha The Water Cream - This oil-free cream delivers optimal hydration while balancing the skin’s moisture levels.
Budget-Friendly Alternative: L'Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care - A lightweight moisturizer that provides lasting hydration for combination skin.
Face Masks: Treat Your Skin
You don’t have to wait until you arrive at our luxury boudoir studio to feel pampered. Face masks are your little at-home spa moment! They’re perfect for giving your skin an extra boost when it needs it most. Whether you need hydration, detox, or a little bit of both, there’s a mask that’ll make your skin feel pampered and loved.
For Dry Skin:
High-End: Sisley Black Rose Cream Mask - A luxurious mask that plumps and revitalizes dry, dull skin.
Budget-Friendly Alternative: Laneige Water Sleeping Mask - This hydrating mask is perfect for an overnight moisture boost.
For Oily Skin:
High-End: GlamGlow Supermud Clearing Treatment - This mask is a powerhouse for oily skin, clearing pores and treating breakouts.
Budget-Friendly Alternative: Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay - Known as the world’s most powerful facial, this mask is great for deep pore cleansing.
For Combination Skin:
High-End: Fresh Rose Face Mask - This hydrating and toning mask is a favorite for soothing and revitalizing combination skin.
Budget-Friendly Alternative: Freeman Feeling Beautiful Charcoal & Black Sugar Polish Mask - This dual-action mask exfoliates and purifies combination skin.
Sunscreen: Protect Your Glow
This one’s a must, no matter what. In addition to preventing a sunburn and avoiding harsh tan lines before your boudoir photoshoot, sunscreen is your best defense against sun damage and premature aging. It’s like wearing armor for your skin, keeping it safe from those harmful UV rays while you’re out there living your best life.
For Dry Skin:
High-End: Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 - This invisible, weightless formula offers broad-spectrum protection while moisturizing dry skin.
Budget-Friendly Alternative: Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 15 - A reliable sunscreen that hydrates and protects dry skin without a greasy finish.
For Oily Skin:
High-End: Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion SPF 50+ - This sunscreen is ideal for oily skin, offering high protection without clogging pores.
Budget-Friendly Alternative: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen SPF 55 - A lightweight, non-greasy sunscreen that is perfect for oily skin types.
For Combination Skin:
High-End: Dr. Barbara Sturm Sun Drops SPF 50 - These innovative sunscreen drops offer high-level protection while nourishing combination skin.
Budget-Friendly Alternative: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Sunscreen SPF 60 - A great choice for combination skin, this sunscreen provides broad-spectrum protection with a matte finish.
Conclusion
Just like a boudoir experience with Holly Douglas & Co., investing in your skincare routine is an investment in your confidence and self-esteem. For those who love a little luxury, our high-end skincare recommendations offer unparalleled quality. However, our budget-friendly alternatives ensure that you can achieve glowing skin in your boudoir photos without breaking the bank. Whatever your preference, find what works best for you, stick to your skincare routine, and get ready to shine like the beautiful star you are throughout your boudoir photoshoot!
How to Feel Confident in Your Skin Before Your Boudoir Session
Holly Douglas & Co. share some helpful tips for how to feel confident in your skin before your boudoir session.
How to Feel Confident in Your Skin Before Your Boudoir Session
When you book a boudoir session with Holly Douglas & Co. in Nashville, Tennessee, you're not just booking our studio to take your photos. You're booking an amazing experience that will help you feel confident, beautiful, and empowered! And while the Holly Douglas & Co. team are experts at helping you feel comfortable and look your best on the day of your photoshoot, there are a few things that you can do, as well, before the appointment to help you prepare. In this blog, we will give you some tips on how to feel confident in your skin before your boudoir session.
Exfoliate a few days before your Boudoir session
Exfoliating your skin a few days before your boudoir session will help eliminate any dead skin cells and give us a nice, smooth canvas to work with. You can use a sugar scrub or an exfoliating cleanser; just make sure you are gentle, so you don't irritate your skin.
Removing the dead skin will also help your makeup look better and last longer, so it's definitely worth the extra bit of preparation!
Moisturize as much as possible
Moisturizing your face and body will help to keep your skin hydrated and looking its best. Be sure to use a moisturizer that doesn't have any fragrances or artificial ingredients that could irritate your skin.
Drink plenty of water
Your skin is a reflection of your overall health, so it's important to stay well-hydrated. This will help keep your skin looking plump and radiant, which is always a plus when you're having a boudoir session!
Avoid sun exposure
Because you’re going to be showing a good amount of skin in your boudoir photos, maintaining a smooth, even skin tone always ideal. Therefore, you’ll definitely want to try to avoid getting a sunburn or harsh tan lines before your boudoir session. If you're going to be outside, remember to wear (and re-apply) sunscreen or cover up as much as possible.
No negative self-talk
Boudoir is about celebrating who you are today, and you are beautiful! Period. The more you remind yourself of that fact, the more you will believe it. So, ban any negative self-talk from your mind and your vocabulary and focus on the positive from now on!
Breathe deeply or meditate
In the days leading up to your boudoir session, take some time each day to calm your mind and relax. This is the perfect time to practice positive affirmations, as discussed above, and visualize yourself having a fun and empowering boudoir photoshoot! Meditating prior to your appointment will help you feel more confident in yourself and your body, making it easier to get out of your head and fully enjoy the boudoir experience on the day of your session.
Don't worry about your hair and makeup
Holly Douglas & Co. works with only the BEST professional hair and makeup artists in Nashville. Their job is to make sure you look your best by enhancing your natural beauty. Our team is fully trained in the art of hair styling and makeup application and have helped hundreds of our boudoir clients look gorgeous in their photographs! So, just relax and get ready to enjoy some much-deserved pampering on the day of your session.
Conclusion
Now that we’ve shared some tips on how to feel confident in your skin before your boudoir session, we hope you are feeling even more excited about your upcoming boudoir photoshoot with Holly Douglas & Co. in Nashville! As long as you remember to exfoliate, moisturize, drink plenty of water, avoid sun exposure, practice positive affirmations through meditation, and trust our professional hair and makeup artists, you are sure to have an amazing boudoir experience and love the photos we create together!