How to Apply Actor's Makeup for the Stage

Not every theater has a makeup artist so every actor needs to know how to apply his or her own basic makeup. Stage makeup is essential so that actors don't look pale and washed out under the stage lights. Every actor should also own his or her own makeup kit and avoid sharing makeup, to prevent the spread of germs.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A stage Makeup Kit
• A mirror

1. Purchase a makeup kit that has a base color as close to your skin tone as possible. Some stage makeup suppliers have tools to help you find the closest match. There is an inexpensive kit called a "Personal Makeup Kit", that contains Base, a black and or brown eye pencil, highlight, shadow, lip color, rouge, powder, a triangle sponge, speckle sponge, brush and pad.

2. If after doing your best to match it, you think your base is still to light or too dark, take a piece of paper and ,using it like a paint pallet, blend your base with the highlight or shadow color to lighten or darken it. Always start with the lighter of the two colors and add the darker shade to it.

3. 
    
   Base and Sponge

   Use one side of the triangle sponge to spread an even layer of the base over your face from your hairline down. Cover down your neck to where the collar of a T-shirt would start. You don't need to apply makeup to your ears.

4. You may use a different side of the the triangle sponge to apply rouge below your cheekbones to help highlight them. A slight crescent shape below the cheekbone will work. Blend the rouge with the base slightly. Some actors choose not to use rouge

5. Use the eye pencil to draw a line just below your lower eye-lid, where the lashes are. Don't put the pencil in your eye. Press very gently, if the line seems too light then go over it again until it is dark enough.
   
   You may apply the lip color to your lips with a brush. Many actors choose not to add lip color.

6. 
    
   Powder and Pad

   Press the pad to the powder and then lightly rub the powder over your face. Rub very lightly so that you don't smudge base on the pad, but do evenly spread the powder over everywhere you have applied makeup. The powder prevents the makeup from looking wet, or shining under the stage lights.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to give an even thorough coverage of any skin that will show. Missed spots are very visible from the audience.
• Choose an old shirt or smock for putting on makeup so you don't stain other clothes or costume pieces.
• These instructions are written for a creme based makeup kit. If your kit has something different like powder rogue you may need to experiment a little

Resources

• Theatrical Makeup
• Ben Nye Makeup