How to Put on Stage Makeup

If you are performing in a play or musical, or are participating as part of the stage crew, stage makeup is an important factor. Because the cast is at a distance from the audience, you will need to apply makeup differently than you would for everyday occasions. On the stage, men as well as women will require makeup. Once you learn how to apply stage makeup, you might decide it is more fun than putting on the everyday stuff.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Foundation
• Powder
• Shading
• Highlighting
• Eyeliner
• Eye shadow
• Rouge
• Lipliner
• Lipstick
• Mascara
• Eyebrow pencil
• Various makeup brushes
• False eyelashes, if desired

1. Apply foundation to the entire face, jaw and neck. The color of the foundation should closely match the performer's skin tone. If the performer has very light skin, use a foundation that is slightly darker than his skin. Make sure the foundation covers the skin completely and is blended well, with no noticeable edges.

2. Use brushes to apply shading around features such as eyes, cheekbones, nose and jaw. By using the right coloring and the correct brush size, you can make features appear larger or smaller. Dark shading along the cheekbone or jaw will make the face look thinner and more defined, while shading around the eye socket will make eyes appear larger. Blend the shading well, except along the cheekbones or eye socket. These features should remain clearly defined.

3. Powder the face well, and then apply highlighting and eyeshadow. Bright colors of eyeshadow work best. Apply highlighting to the browbone and upper cheeks.

4. Line the eyes along the top and bottom lids, leaving a noticeable space at each corner. By leaving the lines disconnected, the eyes will appear more open. Apply mascara or false eyelashes if desired. Darken the eyebrows with the eyebrow pencil.

5. Use a strong, matte lipliner and lipstick. If the performer should not look overly made up, use a natural colored lipliner and lipstick. Apply rouge to the apples of the cheeks and blend it back into the cheekbones.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure the skin is very clean and dry before applying makeup. Wiping skin with an astringent will help remove oil.

Resources

• Types of Stage Makeup

[Thims]

on 12/13/2008 I can't imagine what the band KISS had to go through every night! I have to sometime do this and cant stand it, but at least I can use these tips! Good article.