My Playbook for Looking Camera Ready | Michelle’s Favorite Things

"Camera confidence starts before the camera is ever turned on. It's about setting the tone for your day with early workouts and a positive mindset." -Michelle Terpstra

Are you tired of feeling unpolished or unsure when showing up on camera? Whether you're creating content, attending virtual meetings, or hosting webinars, looking and feeling camera confident is within your reach. In this post, we'll explore practical, easy-to-implement tips that will help you be camera ready, no matter your busy schedule or activity level. From morning routines to skincare, hair hacks, and mindset shifts, discover the secrets to consistently showing up as your best self on camera.

How to Be Camera Ready Every Day: Simple Hacks for Confidence and Consistency

The Foundation of Camera Confidence: How Your Morning Routine Sets the Tone

Your day starts long before you hit record or turn on your camera. Michelle emphasizes that camera confidence begins well ahead of actually showing up on screen, especially through your morning habits. She advocates for a simple but powerful routine: working out before 6 a.m.

Why Early Workouts Make a Difference

Michelle shares that exercising in the morning, particularly weightlifting or hot power yoga, significantly enhances her mood, focus, and physical appearance. She points out that she’s observed a 30% decrease in her workout frequency when she shifts her exercise to later in the day, which impacts her energy levels and confidence. Starting the day with movement not only improves physical readiness but also cultivates a mindset of discipline and energy that radiates on camera.

Pro Tip: Find a workout that energizes you, whether it's lifting weights, yoga, or a brisk walk, and prioritize it first thing in the morning. It sets a positive tone and makes you feel more organized and alive.

Nutrition and Hydration for a Polished Look

What you eat and drink directly impacts how you feel and how you look on camera. Michelle recommends consuming enough protein, ideally, your body weight in grams daily, to support a confident presence. Practical hacks include mixing protein powder into Greek yogurt for a nearly 40-gram protein breakfast, which improves focus and mood.

Hydration is equally crucial. She suggests adding electrolytes to your water (Redmond’s Relight is her favorite) to combat dry environments and dry skin, common in mountain towns like Park City. Staying well-hydrated keeps your skin plump and your energy high, reducing the appearance of fatigue or dullness during your recordings.

Actionable Step: Prepare your hydration and nutrition routine the night before to ensure you start your day strong and camera-ready.

Grooming Hacks for a Quick, Polished Look

Time is often the biggest obstacle to looking polished before camera time. Michelle’s approach is all about shortcuts that produce big results with minimal effort, allowing you to spend less time and still look fabulous.

Fast Hair Hacks

Living in a dry climate like Utah, Michelle relies heavily on a few key products:

Batiste Dry Shampoo: Adds volume and freshness without the white residue typical of cheaper brands. Root Cover-Up (L'Oreal Paris): Masks gray roots in-between salon visits, extending the life of your color. Coconut Miracle Oil: Adds shine and health to hair without greasiness, perfect for a quick touch-up before filming.

She also emphasizes that extensions are not ideal for highly active people like her, as they tend to require maintenance and aren’t suited for water activities. Instead, her quick hair routine keeps her looking polished without sacrificing time or activity levels.

Skincare Solutions for a Youthful, Dewy Look

Michelle has transitioned away from invasive procedures like Botox after eight years, opting instead for consistent skincare. Her essential products include:

Dr. Dennis Gross Daily Peel: Two-step wipes that fit easily into a busy travel schedule. Dewy Deep Cream (from Splendor in Park City): Keeps her skin hydrated and radiant without oiliness. Foundation (Haus Labs Tri-Clone Skin Tech): Provides a dewy, long-lasting finish that minimizes fine lines and redness, ideal for camera work. Thrive Cosmetics Mascara: Achieves natural volume and stays smudge-proof all day.

Quick tip: Focus on skincare that maintains moisture and minimizes creasing or dryness in your skin, especially as you age.

The Power of Movement and Self-Care for Inner Confidence

Michelle shares her commitment to moving her body daily, aiming for 10,000 steps, and incorporating tools like a walking desk with a treadmill pad. She notes that physical activity boosts not only physical appearance but also reduces stress, enhances nervous system regulation, and elevates overall confidence.

Horses and Nervous System Regulation

An unconventional but powerful tip Michelle highlights is working with horses. Riding and interacting with horses serve as a form of nervous system regulation, helping reduce fear and build resilience. She’s exploring how integrating equine experiences can support business growth and personal development by calming nerves and increasing confidence, an innovative approach to self-improvement.

Takeaway: Find activities that ground you, whether it’s horses, nature, or meditation, that help you relax, center, and show up confident on camera.

Final Tips: Speed Up Your Prep and Show Up Confidently

Michelle’s overall advice boils down to simplifying and automating your routine:

Use quick, effective grooming products Prioritize early workouts and hydration Incorporate self-care activities that regulate your nervous system Dress in comfortable yet polished outfits (Nuuly or Aviator Nation are favorites)

Adding these elements to your daily routine will help you feel more confident, authentic, and camera ready, without overextending or overcomplicating your schedule.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How early should I work out to feel confident on camera?

Michelle recommends aiming for before 6 a.m., as it sets a productive tone and visibly energizes you throughout the day.

What's a quick way to refresh hair before a video call?

Use dry shampoo to add volume, root cover-up for gray roots, and a nourishing coconut oil or miracle spray for shine, all in under five minutes.

How can I improve my skin hydration fast?

Focus on products like hydrating peels and dewy creams, and avoid heavy foundations that can settle into fine lines. Use a long-lasting, dewy foundation to look fresh on camera.

What are simple grooming products Michelle recommends?

Batiste dry shampoo, L'Oreal Root Cover-Up, and hydrating skincare like Dr. Dennis Gross Daily Peel are her staples.

How can movement help me look camera confident?

Regular exercise boosts energy, reduces stress, and improves your physical presence, making you naturally more confident in front of the camera.

Summary

Incorporating these practical tips into your daily routine can transform how you show up on camera, boosting your confidence and presence. From early morning workouts to effective grooming hacks and self-care practices, Michelle Terpstra's insights offer a roadmap to feeling and looking your best, whether you're in front of the camera or simply navigating your day. Embrace these strategies to enhance your energy, focus, and authenticity, and watch your camera confidence soar.