How to Ace Your Zoom Calls & Meetings

Video killed the radio star.

Lately, we’ve been on screen more than a cable news anchor—but with none of the network support (ready, camera one). Since we’ll likely be participating in life virtually for the foreseeable future, we want you to deliver your best performance, whether at family fun night or a high-stakes sales pitch. So we enlisted the help of master makeup artist Melissa Silver and communications expert (and former real-life news anchor) Liz Brunner to direct our at-home show.

Live! From your living room! It’s...anyday!

Lights…

Consensus is clear: Lighting is key. Natural light is best, and should ideally be in front of you so people can see your expressions (though too much bright sunlight can be harsh). Here, an assist in the form of a ring light (bonus: this bundle comes with a microphone) for use with our phone or behind our laptop. The moveable arms make it easy to get the light just where you need it. If you’d like an upgrade on your computer’s camera and microphone, Liz suggests investing in an external webcam (Logitech makes great ones like this, but they are in high demand, so snag one when you can) or her microphone of choice from Audio-Technica.  

Camera…

To avoid Room Rater danger zones, survey your space. What will people see behind you? Will it distract people from focusing on you? Is that virtual background too cute by half? Now, check your computer placement and screen angle. A box or stack of books (or this lap desk that has been sparing our necks) under your computer will keep you at eye level with the camera.  Angle the screen so you are positioned and framed well. 

Video is two-dimensional, so proper contouring and highlighting are essential if you want to look like you have all your dimensions. Getting the money shot means make-up, maybe a little more than we’re used to. 

If you typically skip it, Melissa simply suggests a great concealer and powder. This and this from RMS Beauty are great options that count as clean beauty. Both of these products work for any complexion. With a variety of shades, Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Concealer also makes a great choice for a range of complexions. The concealer will work all over the face, and can be patted on more heavily under the eyes or anywhere that needs extra coverage—even lids with visible redness or veins. Set it with the powder for a nice matte finish. If you need fuller coverage, try IT Cosmetics CC Cream (it also comes in a matte version if you tend to be shiny) This is great for darker skin tones that have any discoloration or hyperpigmentation.

If make-up’s more your jam, hit up cheekbones with bronzer out to your hairline. You can add a little to the bridge of your nose and your eyelid/crease for a quick, chic monochromatic look. Melissa’s partial to MAC Matte Bronzer, Clinique True Bronze Pressed Powder Bronzer, Kosas Color & Light in Contrachroma blush-as-bronzer for light-medium skins, and Mineral Fusion in Creation for a rosy look. Bare Minerals Invisible Bronze will cover all skin tones. A neutral bronzer doubles as contouring around the jawline or down the center of your neck. For a bit more lift, add soft peach or pink blush on the apples of your cheeks, upper cheekbones (a bit higher than you might think) and above the eyebrows near the temples. The stars in Melissa’s kit IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Blush in Naturally Pretty or Je Ne Sais Quoi. Tom Ford’s Flush is a gorgeous blush that brightens medium to even very dark skin tones.

Next, prep your peepers, with pencil or powder eyeliner on the upper lash line in bronze, dark brown or black, with a little smudged into the lower lash line for more definition. Melissa likes Sephora Retractable Waterproof Eyeliner in Brown or Matte Brown Black, and Charlotte Tilbury Rock and Kohl Eyeliner Pencil in Bedroom Black. Brows need bulk? Try a shadow or pencil in short strokes to mimic the fine hairs, erring on the lighter-shade side if this is your first brow-enhancing foray. Comb hairs up and out for a lift. Finally, curl lashes and add a non-clumping mascara like Ilia Limitless Lash to really wake those eyes up. These picks will work for all complexions. 

Now, give ‘em lip service. Melissa recommends a soft neutral with a bit of peach or pink. A creamy finish or soft, modern gloss—like MAC Cremesheen Lipstick, Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Lip Shine, Clinique Chubby Stick and It Cosmetics Lip Vitality Butter Gloss—is comfortable on lips chapped by chatter. Lining your lips first with a pencil close to your natural lip color will give you a polished finish without that cringe-worthy outline. Because we highlighted products with a range of shades available, they are good for all complexions. 

Now, check yourself out on video. Does your jawline disappear? Did you lose the crease of your eye? Are you too shiny? Tweak and look again. Remember, what might look like “too much” in your bathroom might look just right on camera. Once you have your product lineup down and your routine calibrated, you can get camera-ready in a flash.

..And action

Even in a virtual world, 65% of communication is body language. For better or worse, those non-verbal cues, Liz says, impact how we’re perceived. Even when we’re just a thumbnail on someone’s screen, it only takes them 3 to 5 seconds to decide if we’re fully present, engaged and connecting.  

Connection starts with simple eye contact—which most people struggle with on video (even Liz who spent years  looking into a TV camera, where no one’s looking back). The key is to look right into that little camera. You won't feel like you are making eye contact with anyone, but they will feel as if you are. It makes a huge difference in your ability to confidently connect with your audience. And yes, it feels as awkward as a corporate icebreaker, but you’ll get better with practice.

Being present is also a way to connect and show respect—and that means eliminating distractions by turning off all notifications and steering clear of multitasking. And please, Liz begs you to lean on that mute feature unless you’re speaking (your barking dog is decidedly not well-heeled in video calls). 

Before the camera rolls, practice, practice, practice. For a mission-critical virtual session, do a full dress rehearsal to develop muscle memory for how it comes together, and work out all tech difficulties. Consider some coaching from a pro like Liz. And don’t forget to breathe. Liz likes to let endorphins work to her advantage with the two-minute “power pose”: Close your eyes and breathe deeply with hands on your hips and feet firmly planted on the floor, slightly apart for balance. 

And one more thing: clothes communicate intention, so dress accordingly.

Tighten family ties

Screens can also connect us with family. To make the most of the time together—and not just Zooming for the sake of Zooming—Liz suggests adding themed discussions. Some conversation starters: What was the best story everyone heard that week, and why did it resonate? What’s one thing everybody learned about themselves since the last Zoom? What new skills or projects are people pursuing? How about choosing a show or movie to watch and discuss, or even creating a family book club?

If you have older family members, now’s a chance to really check in and check up. Be very observant: How are they dressed? Are they taking care of themselves or do they look a bit more disheveled? Are they speaking coherently? Do they look thinner or heavier? And if so, why? Look for subtle signs and changes that may alert you to a potential problem. 

A (new) reality show

We’re social creatures, and nothing will ever replace IRL interaction. We need that human connection. But Liz believes that more and more companies will stay in the virtual world going forward—so there’s no time like today to hone how we put our best face forward (literally) when communicating digitally (follow Liz to watch for her excellent workshops).

This article originally appeared in our May 31st newsletter. Our thinking and the article have since been corrected.