How to Add White to Harlequin Clown Makeup

One of the easiest ways to distinguish between different types of clown makeup is to pay attention to how they use white in their makeup application. In harlequin clown makeup, small pops of white accent the other features of the face. All it takes is a little bit of patience and a steady hand to create a harlequin face like the pros do.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Begin with the diamond-shaped pattern on the face. Purple is a traditional color for this part of the makeup. You need to create a few diamonds to work around; the white will act as an accent to complement the diamonds in a later step.

2. Draw attention to the mouth. Apply a small amount of white makeup to the corners of the mouth in a triangle pattern. It should look as if there are tiny arrows pointing to your mouth, which will naturally draw the audience to the area. You can also underline the lip area for an even bigger impact.

3. Outline the diamond shapes. Using a very small brush or cotton swab, outline the purple diamonds to make them stand out. You don't want the line to overpower the rest of the diamond, so practice creating a thin line around the area.

4. Practice making it perfect. With harlequin makeup, you have to be precise in your application. You may have to redo parts of your face several times until you create something that you're satisfied with. Remember that the key is to accent the eyes, mouth and cheek area for optimum laugh potential.