Seller guide
How to Photograph Cosmetics for an Online Store
A shopper cannot test a lipstick or a foundation on a screen, so the photo has to show the true colour, the texture and the packaging. Glossy caps and glass bottles are the hard part, because they reflect everything in the room. Soft light, a few black cards and careful colour make them look right.
Updated 13 October 2026
The short answer
- Use two or three soft light sources, and remove plastic wrap and other shiny objects from the frame.
- Show the true colour with a neutral white balance, and add swatches and close-ups of the texture.
- Use a plain background for the main image, and edit only enough to match the real product.
Light the pack with soft, diffused light
Use two or three diffused sources: a key light at about 45 degrees, a fill on the other side, and a backlight when you need one. A large window with a white screen in front also works. Hard light makes hot spots on caps, glass and metal.
- Turn off the lights you do not need, and block any window light that is not part of the set.
- For serums and oils, backlight the bottle through a diffuser, so the liquid shows its true colour.
- Keep the light the same across the range, so each product matches.
Control glare on glossy packaging
Glossy and metallic packs act like mirrors. Surround them with a light tent or diffusion fabric, and place black cards or flags where a dark reflection shows. Clean each pack and wear cotton gloves, since fingerprints show clearly.
- Remove plastic wrap or film from solid products, since it creates glare.
- Check each shot at full zoom for reflections of you or the camera.
- Clean the product and the lid before every shot.
Show the true colour and texture
Buyers choose a shade from the photo, so the colour has to match the product. Swatches help: a stroke of lipstick, a swatch of eyeshadow or a powder surface shows the real colour and finish. Shoot them with a macro lens or a close focus setting, so the texture is sharp.
- Swatch on white or neutral paper, not on a coloured surface that shifts the shade.
- Show a liquid drop or a cream swipe for the texture.
- For pencils and liners, draw lines at different pressures to show the range.
Set the camera for accurate colour
Use a tripod with a remote or self-timer, and shoot RAW. One guide suggests a white balance near 5500K, an aperture around f/8 to f/16 and ISO 100 to 200. Test these on your own camera, since the right setting depends on the light.
- Set a custom white balance with a white card before you shoot.
- Shoot close-ups on purpose with a macro lens or close focus. Do not crop a close-up from a distant shot.
- Shoot the label straight on, so the text is readable.
Choose a clean background
A pure white background suits the main image for a store or a marketplace. Neutral paper, marble or a soft pastel can fit a brand that wants a mood, but keep props few and related to the product.
- Use the same background for the main image of every product.
- Add a subtle shadow so the pack sits on the surface.
Shoot the shot list
A beauty product usually needs the same set of photos. Start with the full pack, then add the angles and details a buyer would check.
- Front, back and side of the pack, with the cap open for a tube or a stick.
- A 45-degree hero shot.
- Swatches and texture close-ups, plus one lifestyle shot showing how the product is used.
- For gift sets or matching shades, a flat lay of the set together.
Edit to match the real product
Editing should make the product look like the real thing, not better. Keep colour edits small, check the colour against the real product, and remove dust, fingerprints and small blemishes.
- Remove dust and fingerprints with a healing tool, and leave the label as printed.
- Make a marketplace background pure white, then add a light shadow.
- Keep sharpening light, so the texture still looks real.
Free tools for this
Try it on your own photo
FAQ
Questions sellers ask
How do I photograph glossy packaging without glare?
Use soft, diffused light, surround the pack with a diffuser and place black cards where you see reflections. Clean the pack and check each shot at full zoom.
How do I show the true shade of a lipstick or foundation?
Use a neutral white balance, shoot swatches on white or neutral paper, and check the colour against the real product in daylight. Show the swatch as its own photo.
Should I use AI to make a cosmetics photo?
AI can change the background or the scene. Do not let an edit change the colour, the label or the shape of the pack, and compare each result with the real product before you publish it.
Do I need a model for cosmetics photos?
Not for the main image. A swatch on the inner forearm or a lifestyle shot shows how a shade looks on skin, and it makes a useful second image.
Sources
Z Product AI makes some of the tools compared here. Competitor details come from their own sites and public reviews as of 13 October 2026.