Theatrical and full body makeup Tips
Read these 10 Theatrical and full body makeup Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Body Art tips and hundreds of other topics.
Brighten your eyes
You can brighten your eyes by putting a white dot on the inside of your eye by the tear duct. Experiment until it looks right. In a smaller theatre, the dot needs to be blended more, but still a white area on the inside of your eyes brightens your face.
Oil-Based vs. Water-Based
When planning a make-up design you can use grease, or oil-based products, or you can choose water-based. Grease-based has a longer staying power and can create dramatic stage designs, but is not compatible with water and must be "set" with powder. Water-based make-up is usually applied with a sponge or brush and water, and can be removed with soap and water.
Take a Class
Check out your local college or university and see if they offer a class in theatrical make-up if this is your interest. You may also sometimes take a make-up class at modeling agencies.
If You Want to Look Ill
If your character is old or ill, use red eyeliner, especially on the lower lid. Add a little gray to your cheeks instead of blush, and put vertical slash marks on your lips with a brown pencil.
Colors for Skin Tones
Neon colors generally look fantastic on dark skin. Light lavenders look washed-out on pale skin, so you'll need to outline in a darker purple. Sometimes black doesn't show as an outline on dark skin, so outline in a lighter color, like yellow or white.
Water or Oil- based Cosmetics
Oil-based cosmetics are mixed with oil and go on usually heavier, with a matte finish. Most theatre makeup is oil-based. You must powder the make-up to set it, and use a cleanser that takes off oil-based makeup. The final result looks good, but can be mask-like, and the feel of it on skin is heavy. Water-based make-up often is in a cake form, and you use a sponge dipped in water to create a light base which you apply to the skin. The look is sheerer and feels lighter.
Setting the Make-up
Setting the make-up is necessary for stage work, because the actors will be under hot lights for a length of time, and the make-up needs to stay in place. Most theatre make-up is oil- or grease-based, so it never really dries on the skin and must be set with powder. Baby powder works well.
Quick Fixes
If you've made a minor mistake applying theatrical make-up, fix it with a baby wipe.
Cheap Make-up Remover
There are many creams and special removers, Albolene cream, and Aquacream, but the cheapest, most available, and highly effective remover for theatre make-up is baby oil.
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| Joe Wallace |
