How to Put On Clown Make Up

Some of the most recognizable characters at circuses, carnivals and birthday parties are clowns. Clowns have a look that is unmistakable and colorful. Whether you are joining the professional ranks or simply dressing up for Halloween, learning to put on clown makeup is essential to the costume.

Things You'll Need

• Greasepaint in various colors
• Cotton swabs
• Makeup sponge
• Setting powder
• Mirror
• Towel

Instructions

Clowning around

1. Take a good look in the mirror and study your face. What do you see? Is it round or oval? Do you have a long neck or wide-set eyes? Studying your facial shape and characteristics is essential to learning what clown makeup works for you. Clown makeup is not designed to cover your face, it should enhance it. You'll also need to determine what kind of clown you want to be -- happy, sad, whiteface or hobo -- before you start applying the makeup.

2. Wash and dry your face completely and pin back your hair. Wrap a towel around your shoulders. Start by applying the lightest shade of makeup. For most, that is white. Draw an outline and apply the white makeup to parts of your face that won't be covered by other colors, including ears and neck. Use a makeup sponge to put the greasepaint on your face in the areas you've outlined. Do not apply the makeup too thick. Use your fingers to smooth it out. Once you're finished with the base, you want to use a brush or puff to set the makeup with a finishing powder. Brush off excess powder with a clean brush.

3. Fill in areas around the lips and eyes with colored greasepaint. Most use red around the mouth area and on the cheeks. The trick is to exaggerate your natural features. If you have large lips then you should draw attention to them. You'll also want to draw in eyebrows and outline your eyes. The shape of eyebrow can determine whether you're happy, sad, excited or silly. Use a cotton swab to draw on the paint. You can also use the cotton swabs to "erase" areas if you make a mistake. Again, don't apply the makeup too thick and use a finishing powder to set each layer. Once the face is finished, you can begin to add accessories like hats, scarves, red noses and wigs.

4. Experiment with colors and shapes. Try new looks. If you have been playing around with whiteface, try to do a fleshtone look. The key to putting on clown makeup is to have fun with it.