Stage Makeup Tips
Good theatrical makeup is sometimes overlooked and under appreciated because it works so well in conjunction with the mood and stage setting and compliments the actor’s performance. However, theatrical makeup is an important element of any production. Here is some information and ideas to help you successfully create your own looks for the theatre and stage.
Basic Stage Makeup Techniques
Basic makeup techniques are used for all types of theatrical productions, including high school, college, community, or regional professional theater. When working with young child actors in class plays or community productions, foundation and other heavy makeup is usually not necessary unless an animal or fantasy look is necessary. Always consider the style of production, type of character, and size of theater when planning a makeup design.
First of all, always bring your own mirror; one with a built-in light is very useful, but at the very least make sure it can stand on its own, because it’s a pain trying to put on your makeup or doing your hair with a hand-held mirror
Select a foundation a slightly darker shade than your normal skin tone. This will help with the stage light wash-out. Try a stick foundation. Dot on lightly and blend in to skin being careful to not leave lines around neck and jaw line.
While doing makeup for the purpose of shows you might sometimes need to produce the natural effects of fake injuries, bruises and other scars according to demand of a particular scene of the drama.
Apply at least three coats of long-lasting, waterproof mascara.
With a brow pencil that matches your hair color, draw a line through shaped brows and blend with a brow brush.
Eyes. Need heavy dark eyeliner, shadow, and mascara to make them look bigger, so they will appear normal size on stage. Make your eyebrows very dark, too. The eyes are the most difficult part of the stage makeup. Practice and experiment. Different eye shapes will require different makeup. If your eyes are small or deepest, line them first with matte white pencil, then black just outside of the white line. Accentuate brow bone with matte white. Sweep eye liner and eyeshadow outward and upward to make eyes look bigger.
Check to ensure that there are no allergies to latex or cosmetics.
Always use paint designed specifically for the skin.
