Dainty Alice


A pretty little LUSH, Beauty & Lifestyle blog.


50 Photo Prop Ideas For Beauty & Lifestyle Bloggers


I absolutely adore Instagram and would consider it my favourite form of social media, even more than Twitter. I get a lot of compliments from fellow bloggers on my photography and my use of props, so I thought I'd put together this post on 100 photo prop ideas to suit any beauty/lifestyle blog or Instagram feed.



Beauty Props

As beauty is my overall blog and Instagram niche, these are all the props I use in my own photos. I feel like these always look lovely when used in the backgrounds of photos to break up sparse beauty product photos.

1. Books
2. Glossy magazines
3. Glasses
4. Candles
5. Jewellery
6. Makeup brushes
7. Eyeshadow palettes
8. Perfume bottles
9. Glitter
10. Eyelash curlers

Fashion Props

My fashion photos are few and far between, but when I do post one I like to use a few props to spruce up the photo. My favourite props to use are MAC lipstick tubes, as they contrast with the clothing and always look chic.

11. Potted plants
12. Flowers
13. Lipsticks
14. Coat hangers
15. Handbags
16. Purses
17. Bobby Pins
18. Scarves
19. Sunglasses
20. Ribbon
21. Watches
22. Hair grips
23. Nail polish bottles

Homeware Props

Who doesn't just love a gorgeously styled photo with some homeware props thrown in? I'm a huge fan of adding IKEA blankets and candle trays to my photos as they make the perfect Instagram photo prop.

24. Fluffy rugs
25. Fairy lights
26. Candle trays
27. Trinket dishes
28. Bowls
29. Postcards
30. Blankets
31. iPad
32. Laptop
33. Posters
34. Records
35. Cushions

Lifestyle Props

Everything else that can be chucked into a photo - most of these you'll already find on your desk or in your blogging space (yay for convenience!)

36. Notebooks
37. Gel pens
38. Pencils
39. Manicure scissors
40. Art prints
41. Pets! (who doesn't want a cute kitten in their photo?)
42. Plush toys
43. Pretty bedding
44. Fabrics
45. Mirrors
46. Paper clips
47. Business cards
48. Calenders
49. Planners
50. Small trinkets

What props do you use?
Do you have reliable favourites, or do you mix it up?

7 comments

  1. This is a lovely post, so helpful, thank you for sharing. I have far too many notebooks and things that I only ever use for my photographs haha.

    Alice | alicemaysnell

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  2. Loooved this. I always struggle with what to put in my photos!! x

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  3. I wish I could be one of these people who is able to use props so well - like you - but I suck at it lol, I use a white tray and thats about it :(

    Erin || MakeErinOver

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  4. I love this I always lack inspiration with blog props! I love magazines and books. I'm going to refer back to this when I'm lacking inspiration

    Lucy | www.lucyalana.blogspot.com

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  5. Such a helpful blogspot, i really struggle with prop ideas!

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  6. I genuinely think there's no guide to blog props and you can use anything and everything you can find. Even if it's something ridiculous, it always works in a certain type of post!

    Gemma Louise

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  7. I'm having such a hard time learning how to use props properly, especially when shooting flatlays. With food it's not an issue as I can throw the food & the ingredients all over the table and take pictures of them haha.
    This was such a great post, I'll save this for the next time when I'm shooting blog photos :-) thank you!

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Every single comment means so much to me, thanks for making me smile! :)