How to create a base for theatre face make-up

Ever need to get a base for your make up? New to theatre and want to be sure you know what you're doing? just interested in makeup? This is for you! This eHow is about making a base for theatrical make-up toned up for proscenium and down for theatre in the round-also good for modeling in large spaces!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• make-up base in your skin tone
• Make-up in slightly darker color
• make-up in slightly lighter/white color
• eye liner in light/dark brown
• translucent or skin-tone-appropriate powder
• application sponges
• powder puff

1. begin by cleaning your face. wash with facial soap and warm water, pat dry completely.

2. now apply the base (color closest to your skintone) evenly over your face, from forehead to past your chin, and ear to ear, making sure to cover your neck as needed.

3. taking the slightly darker and lighter colors you're going to begin to make highlights and shadows.

4. taking the dark first, you want to shadow in just below your cheek bones, the side(s) of your nose possibly the ridge under your eye brow. shadow your temples slightly and just below your jaw line. if your lips are big enough you may want to add a dot below your lip. for a manlier look create a squared off jaw and eyebrow.
   for a more feminine look make the jaw a little softer and the eyebrows and ridge a little less apparent.

5. Now taking the lighter color (or white), you want to add highlights to all those places that stick out. the center of your forehead, the center of your nose, cheek bones, and the top of your jaw.

6. after both highlights and shadows are applied you want to gently blend them, so that they aren't stark lines and blotches against your skin.

7. if you are trying to change the shape of your lips or eyebrows you may want to base those out as well.

8. now that everything is highlighted and shadowed, taking your powder pouf, apply powder to pouf and apply to face. this is to keep your makeup from smearing and to help with it not coming off on your clothes, it also makes it easier to apply your color (rouge, eyeshadows, lipsticks) on their own pallet so that they don't blend.

Tips & Warnings

• medium concealer brushes also help where a sponge isn't flexible enough
• a thin eyeliner brush will give you sharper lines
• make sure you are not allergic to your makeup!!
• keep your make up OUT OF your eyes and mouth!

[MaryBridget12]

on 12/30/2008 I have been acting in theatre forever. Remember that for early productions, your home make up will do just fine. I still use it addition to my professional makeup. When you need makeup, try to get your own instead of using the "comunity pot". It's gross and looks tacky. Ben Nye is always a great theatre makeup brand. Good luck!

[Thims]

on 10/7/2008 A-ha so that's how they do it! Really interesting.