Stage Makeup Overview!

Make up examples! From “Wicked”

From “The Phantom of the Opera”

Differences in “corrective makeup” and “character makeup”. Corrective makeup: Makeup that enhances the natural features and coloring. Makes actors more visible and distinctive on stage. Character makeup: Makeup that drastically changes the appearance of an actor.

Steps for applying straight makeup: 1. CLEAN YOUR FACE! 2. Apply foundation. This can be either crème or a water-soluble foundation. Crème: Blends well, holds up when actor seats, can be worked on until set with a powder. Most common in theatre. Water soluble: aka “cake makeup”, applied with a damp sponge, washes off easy, harder to blend. Older style of stage makeup. 3. Add shadows: These help emphasize the features of the face. Helps audience members see facial features clearly.

Steps for straight stage makeup continued 4. Add highlights: Shadows and highlights usually go together. Highlights are lighter and will further define the face. 5. Accent the eyes: Using an eyeliner pencil, (that’s not black, usually brown), actors draw a line around the roots of the lower lashes. 6. Accent the eyebrows if needed. 7. Apply rouge (blush): use it sparingly! To much and you look like a clown. 8. Accent the lips 9. Apply the finish: This can be powder or a setting spray.

Some makeup specialty techniques Shadow techniques: Shadowing the sides of the nose makes it appear that it is not flat. Gives the nose dimension. To make the eyes appear larger: using shadows and liner. Adding white underneath the eyes will make them appear huge! Crepe hair: Artificial hair made of wool. Can be added to the brows to make them bushier or to the top of the head. Applied with spirit gum.

Character makeup techniques! Spirit gum: A lifesaver! Most commonly used adhesive in the theatre. Hold on hair and prosthetics. To gray the hair: Depending on how “old” the character is. Actors use baby powder, spray in hair color, or shoe polish. Stippling effect: This is done using a certain makeup sponge. It is great for giving actors that “five o’clock shadow” look. Collodion: This is a clear, thick liquid applied directly to the skin. It is great for making scars and other “gore” make up. This also works well with a product called Scar Wax.

The Makeup morgue This is a visual reference tool for creating special makeups. Essential this is a portfolio that is divided up into certain looks. It is used by makeup artists to reference special makeup.

Essential for a straight stage makeup kit First you would get either a fishing tackle box or a tool kit to hold your materials. 1. Foundation: Specific to your skin tone 2. Liners (highlights and shadows) 3. Lipsticks 4. Rouge: This should also compliment your skin tone. From mild to wild colors 5. Powers: Sets crème makeup. 6. Eyebrow pencils 7. Fluff brushes: This is to blend and apply rouge and eyeshadows 8. Lining brushes 9. Mascara 10. Cold cream: EXCELLENT for removing makeup 11. Miscellaneous: Sponges, hand mirror, scissors, soap, comb, cotton balls, bobby pins,.etc.

Essentials for a character makeup kit 1. Putty Wax (Scar wax): Used for making scars, false noses, warts, etc. 2. Liquid latex: Liquid rubber that is used for building up noses, wrinkles, attaching hair… 3. Nonflexible collodion 4. Crepe Hair: for beard making 5. Spirit Gum: An adhesive for many things! 6. Rubbing alcohol: To remove spirit gum and acetone to remove collodion 7. Hair whitener.

Makeup Hygiene You would need a good supply of: Sponges Powder Puffs (cotton balls) Tissue Soap or cleaner You always want to wash your makeup brushes and NEVER share makeup with other cast members.

Colors and Makeup Complimenting colors: These are colors opposite each other on the color wheel. Green is rarely used on stage. It makes actors look ill on stage and doesn’t look well with any skin tone. Makeup should be adjusted to the lighting designers coloring. This is to make sure that the actors look their very best.