Love them or hate them, bathroom selfies have become a staple of Instagram, from Kylie Jenner's infamous Met Gala shot to Kim K and Kanye sharing their posed couple snaps. Here, Peter Swain from TileTrader.co.uk shares his top tips to help you take the perfect bathroom pic.

Check your background
If you're at home, make sure you moved anything out of shot that you wouldn't want to be seen. And if you're in a public bathroom, is anybody else in the picture that may not want to be?  Do a couple of test shots to make sure you're happy with your positioning and that your backdrop is absolutely on point.

Tidy up the sink and close the toilet lid
Nobody wants to see your used cotton balls around the sink or toilet paper trailing off the roll. Give the bathroom a quick onceover before you start to snap!

Look at the lighting
Back lit is best, and natural light goes a long way in the quest for the perfect bathroom selfie. If you're stuck with stark white spot lights, or worse…a strip light, try to make sure you don't stand directly under the light as it'll create unflattering shadows on your face.

Practice your pose
Luckily for you, the bathroom is the perfect place to run through your “go to” poses and pouts. Try a few different angles in the mirror and remember to consult the experts for some inspiration too. The Kardashian/Jenner Instagram accounts are always the best place to start.

Brief your bathroom squad
Are you going natural or posed? No doubt you'll have your group shot down to a tee but a good tip is to set a timer on selfie mode. It will give you some time to prepare during the countdown.

Find the perfect filter
As with any selfie, your filter selection is absolutely make or break. No time to reapply your makeup? My favourites are “Valencia” or “Walden” but play about before you post! If you also need to lighten your photo in dim lighting , play around with levels until you're happy with the look.

Show off the bathroom's features
Public spots like restaurants, hotels and bars are putting more and more effort into their bathrooms. It's not just about how you look, a bathroom selfie can show a beautiful powder room and make for fantastic Instagram content. Are there any striking design features which stand out? From bright and bold to uniform designs, tiles can bring your shot to life.

Make the most of the mirror
Bathroom mirrors are usually the most flattering – they're often backlit and larger than other mirrors in the home, making them the perfect canvas – just make sure they're clean with no smudges or it could ruin your seflie.

Remove the flash
Otherwise all your hard work prepping for your perfect selfie and your efforts will be eclipsed by the bright flash reflection in the mirror.

Don't forget the hashtags
Try #selfiequeen, #alldressedup #selfietime #bathroomselfie and #mirrorselfie – you can't go wrong.

For further information about Tile Trader and its products, visit: https://www.tiletrader.co.uk/

-ENDS-

For more press information contact please contact Kathryn Burr (kathryn@enjoy-digital.co.uk) or Faye Mallinson (faye@enjoy-digital.co.uk) at Enjoy Digital on 0113 389 9770.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

About Tile Trader
With over 40 years' experience in the tile and natural stone sectors, TileTrader.co.uk specialises in providing an extensive range of decorative and practical Bathroom, Kitchen, Wall, Floor and Mosaic tiles. A wide array of tile materials are available; including ceramic, mosaic, glass, porcelain and natural stone, to fit every need.

Sourced from factories and quarries around the world, many of the collections in the range are exclusive to Tile Trader, offering customers an exceptional choice of products with craftsmanship and quality at the very best prices.