How to Look Good During Work-From-Home Video Meetings
In our new normal of the COVID-19 era, many of us are working from home and have turned to webcam and video meetings as the primary way to communicate with colleagues. Many of us are spending our days on video conferences hosted by Zoom, Hangouts, Skype, FaceTime, Facebook Messenger, WebEx, etc. Forbes has recently reported that 68% of online consumers prefer video over written content, meaning that this form of communication could go on even longer than the pandemic.
Video conferences leave many of us staring into the picture window of our devices, looking at ourselves and thinking, “Do I really look that bad?”
It’s all about the camera angles, the lighting of the room where you’ll be appearing on video, how far your device is positioned from you, and the type of background behind you. Experts advise that front-facing natural light is best. It accentuates and brightens your skin and features, giving you a clear, flattering, movie-star-like quality that makes your eyes pop. If you’ll be video chatting in a windowless room, putting a lamp behind your laptop and in front of your face works in a pinch.
Avoiding low angles is one of the cardinal rules in camerawork: keep the camera eye-level or higher. The camera should capture your face and part of your upper body, with the camera being aligned with your eyes. When talking, you should always look at the camera (not the screen), so it feels like you’re having eye contact with the other person. If the camera is in much lower than your eyes, it will make your body and face look much more prominent. Also, you’ll have to look down to make eye contact, which brings a whole superiority/inferiority dynamic to the video call. Positioning the camera much higher can give you similar issues. To make sure you look better on video calls, just put your camera on eye level. You can easily give your laptop or iPad some lift by stacking a bunch of cookbooks or coffee table book underneath.
Part of looking good on a webcam means acting as you would in person, and the overarching goal is to minimize distractions. Treating the video meeting as if you’re in an actual meeting is important. Even though most people aren’t naturally at ease on camera, it’s not about acting. It’s about authentically being your best, friendliest, most charming self, and making sure that energy comes across on camera.
As far as comfort goes while working at home, the good news is that you’ll really only be filming video from the shoulders up. You can still wear your cozy pajama bottoms and slippers paired with a professional blouse, sweater, or an elegant T-Shirt, and no one will be the wiser. A little bit of make-up will go a long way, as does styling your hair to look chic and put together. Advance preparation is important. You don’t want to join a call using the webcam as a mirror to make any finishing touches to your hair, face, or lighting that you could have done earlier.
Another way to make sure you sparkle on camera is to accentuate your look with jewelry. Gorgeous gems will add flair and make a huge style statement visually. The best choices are earrings, necklaces, and rings that flash whenever you move your hands in view of the screen.
When you combine all these tips, you’ll be better equipped to think about how you are presenting yourself. It’s an important skill, especially when all people have to go on is your face on a computer screen combined with a confident attitude.
Here are some jewelry ideas to help you look spectacular on video.
Earrings
An open teardrop shaped gold earring by Hoorsenbuhs elegantly hangs from diamond pavé links, which is engraved on one side with the Maker’s Mark. Available in 18K Yellow, Rose, or White Gold.
Michelle Oh’s Aquamarine statement earrings are reminiscent of oceanic colors, available at michelle-oh.com
Eva Fehren adds an ultra modern edge to everyday diamond studs with these angular beauties.
Necklaces
Tom Binns’ crystal and safety pin necklace is the epitome of punk chic.
Rei Kawakubo‘s Comme des Garçons teamed up with Japanese fine jeweler Mikimoto for a capsule collection of seven pearl necklaces.
Eddie Borgo’s Kerchief Slip Collar in 12 Karat Gold Vermeil sits perfectly at the front of the neck, molded to follow the neckline and designed to be comfortable.
Hearts On Fire has taken the cluster diamond trend to the next level with this pendant which features a center diamond surrounded by nine smaller diamonds.
Rings
David Webb’s stunning ring features cabochon sapphire, brilliant-cut diamonds, and 18K gold.
The six-piece Chanel Coco Crush x Net-a-Porter collection features five rings (retailing between $2,150 to $3,500) and a cuff with the brand’s “iconic quilted detailing” in 18-karat yellow and white gold. Three of the pieces, including the cuff priced at $20,500, sold out in less than 24 hours. The remaining three pieces will be available on Net-a-Porter until May 6 before being sold in Chanel boutiques worldwide.
Rose Dior Pré Catelan ring, small model, in 18k pink gold and amethyst.
Try to think of the video call just as you would with any in-person interaction. You need to be present yourself appropriately. Especially if it’s a job interview, where you’ll make your first impression on someone. Looking better won’t be enough—you’ll need to look your best!
Feeling confident is the key to looking better on video calls, and you can create that feeling by being well-prepared.
About The Author
Debbie Azar is the Co-Founder and President of Gemological Science International (GSI), one of the largest gemological organizations in the world, and a distinguished leader in the global diamond and jewelry industry. As an executive with extensive knowledge of the jewelry and gem lab industries, her entrepreneurial skills and vision have helped GSI achieve rapid and continuous growth worldwide, establishing 13 leading-edge gemological facilities on four continents. She currently serves on the boards of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, Responsible Jewellery Council, and Jewelers for Children, and is a member of the 24 Karat Club of New York. She has been featured in Forbes, Daily Mail, Good Morning America, Bloomberg, Bloomberg Businessweek, Fox Business, Fox5, CBS2, BOLDTV, Varney&Co, The Street, and NASDAQ, among others.
