How to Apply Mime Makeup for Kids
A big part of traditional mime is the make up used to create the character. Children can have fun learning the art of mime and discover the many ways makeup can alter or enhance expression. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Mime costume
- Old button-down shirt
- Freshly washed face
- Clips or headband to hold hair back
- White grease paint
- White powder
- Black eyeliner (liquid or pencil)
- Red lipstick (optional)
Instructions
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If wearing a mime costume, put it on before beginning the makeup. Then protect the costume from getting makeup on it with an old button-down shirt (so you don't have to pull it over the child's head).
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Start with a freshly washed face. Clip hair away from the face to make applying the makeup easier. Using white grease paint, draw a line along the jaw and continue around the face, staying about an inch away from the hair line. Fill in the entire face with white paint, being careful to keep it consistent. When the white face is on, it may be outlined with black eyeliner. Powder the face until it no longer feels sticky.
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Using a liquid or pencil eyeliner, draw eyebrows over the eyes. They may be drawn to reflect an emotion or simply follow the child's natural brow line. Using eyeliner again, draw a black line along the top lid and lower lid of the eye (if the child is too young to hold still for this, you may omit lining the eye). There are several variations on eye makeup, including short vertical lines just above and below the center of each line, large "eyelashes" drawn over each eye, elongated triangles under each eye, or tears underneath the eye. If possible, show the child pictures of several types of makeup and see what look is preferred.
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Using red lipstick, draw circles or diamonds on the cheeks and then fill in the lips. Lips may also be left white or filled in with black if desired.
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Tips & Warnings
Water-based white makeup is available but is more likely to dry out and crack. Try both kinds to see what works best for you.
Try using a brush to apply the white paint around eyes.
