TABLE OF CONTENTS

Welcome To My World... ____________________________________________________ 1

Why We Need Makeup______________________________________________________ 1
1. To enhance the color value of the normal face ____________________________ 1
2. To make your character more believable _________________________________ 1
3. To project facial expressions __________________________________________ 1
4. To help you “find” your character ______________________________________ 1
The Stuff You’ll Need ______________________________________________________ 2
Storing Your Makeup ____________________________________________________ 2
Makeup Tools And Materials______________________________________________ 2
Your Basic Makeup Kit __________________________________________________ 3
Applying Straight Makeup___________________________________________________ 4
Getting Your Face Ready _________________________________________________ 5
To get your face ready: __________________________________________________ 5
Applying A Base ________________________________________________________ 5
Rouge Application _______________________________________________________ 6
All About Eye Makeup ___________________________________________________ 7
Eyebrows _____________________________________________________________ 7
Eye Shadow ___________________________________________________________ 7
About Eye Liner _______________________________________________________ 8
Last But Not Least, Mascara ______________________________________________ 8
Applying Lip Color ______________________________________________________ 8
The Final Result ________________________________________________________ 9
The Importance of Powdering _____________________________________________ 9
Makeup Removal __________________________________________________________ 9
To Remove Your Makeup ________________________________________________ 9
Caring For Your Makeup Materials And Tools _________________________________ 10
Bibliography _____________________________________________________________ 11
WELCOME TO MY WORLD...
Actors have been wearing makeup since the dawn of time. Picture ancient man reenacting the
thrill of the hunt or an aboriginal ancestor smearing his face with war paint to instill fear in
the enemy.
Granted, these people were not standing on a stage but quite often
they were using makeup to embellish the movement, attitude and
temperament required to get the message across.
One of the best ways to get into character before hitting the stage is
to watch the growth of that character in the mirror as you create
him/her. If that physical character is the product of your search for
the entire character - your performance will always be exhilarating.

WHY WE NEED MAKEUP

Imagine a performance of the “Wizard of Oz” without makeup. Now, imagine seeing that same
performance sitting in the back row of a 2,000 seat concert hall. It doesn’t really paint an image of an
inspiring, believable performance does it? Here are some reasons why good makeup is so important.

1. To enhance the color value of the normal face

Under the bright hot lights of the stage, normal colors of the face and hands look shiny, bland
and washed out. Properly applied stage makeup will correct those things.

2. To make your character more believable

Unless you are playing yourself (which is unlikely) makeup is required to create highlights,
shadows, shapes things that can change the characteristics of your face into your
character’s face.

3. To project facial expressions

It’s a long way from the stage to the back row of a 500 seat venue. Your mouth, eyes, nose
and other areas of your face can sometimes get lost to the audience. Makeup can make
your face bold and strong for everyone to see.

4. To help you “find” your character

Getting ready for a show is a journey within the journey. For an actor, the story does not start
when the curtain rises, the story starts when you get to the dressing room and start
applying your makeup. Use the precious time applying your make up to find your
character and allow them to envelope you.

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THE STUFF YOU’LL NEED
You’re probably asking yourself “why can’t I wear my everyday makeup on the stage?” Everyday
makeup is just that “everyday makeup.” Under stage lighting, the normal everyday colors of the
face and hands look washed out and bland. Stage makeup can restore these values and
enhance them.
The majority of theatre makeup can be purchased at costume shops or theatre supply stores.
With the introduction of technology, makeup can also be purchased on-line from
manufacturers. You don’t really need a lot of stuff to get started, but the following items are
a must

Storing Your Makeup

You should assemble your supplies in a container that’s easy for you to carry. Depending on
the frequency you work and the amount of makeup you intend to accumulate, it is
recommended to purchase a spill proof, two tiered container. A plastic fishing tackle box is
an inexpensive way to store your makeup in a safe and sanitary fashion.

Makeup Tools And Materials

You can own all the makeup in the world but it’s worthless unless you have tools to apply it
properly. To supplement your makeup kit, the following tools are required:

Brushes
Powder brushes – used for applying various types of
powder. A basic kit should contain at least three
different powder brushes
1. Blusher brush for generous coverage to the face and
body.
2. Beveled shaped brush for powdering around the
eyes.
3. Angled contour brush for touch-ups.

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 Flat brushes - for
application of
creams and lip
rouge. Flat brush
no.’s 7 and 10 are
good start-off
choices.
Eye brow brush –
(see center) for
combing out facial
hair like eye brows
and mustaches.
If at all possible,
purchase brushes
made of natural
fibers, like sable or
pony hair. A
natural fiber brush
gives an even
application of
makeup, has less
bristle loss and a
longer life span.

Wedged latex sponges, velour powder puffs, cotton swabs and cotton
Applicators
balls can all be purchased in packages.

Cold cream, soap, hand towel, pieces of cotton cloth (cut up tee-shirt) or
Makeup removal
face cloths. Your everyday toner and moisturizer.

A pencil sharpener, hair pins, headband, hand mirror, comb and hair
spray are necessities.
Miscellaneous
It’s also very handy to include a travel sized sewing kit that includes a
pair of scissors for costume emergencies.

YOUR BASIC MAKEUP KIT

Your initial kit should contain makeup that is as close to your natural skin tone as possible
(e.g. fair, medium, dark). The main components of stage makeup include:

As the name suggests, it’s the makeup that goes on

Foundation or Base
first. There are two different types of base makeup you

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 can use, cream or cake (see below). Choose the base
that suits your skin type the best.
Foundation makeup levels your skin texture, provides a
natural tone and provides a base for other makeup to be
blended into.

Cake makeup (pancake) is applied with a damp latex

sponge and usually does not require setting powder. All
Cake Makeup (Pancake) makeup used on top of pancake must be dry or pressed.
You cannot use cream makeup on top of pancake (such
as rouges or shadows).

Cream makeup is applied with your fingers, brush or

sponge and is easy to blend. If you apply a cream
Cream Makeup foundation, then you can use cream rouges and
shadows before you set it with powder. If you need a
touch-up after it’s been set, you must use dry or pressed
makeup, as cream will smear.

Rouges Cake and cream rouges are applied with a sponge. It’s
used for adding color to cheeks and definition to face.

Shadows and highlights come in cake and cream styles

and are applied with a foam tip applicator. It’s used for
Shadows and Highlights eye makeup and special effects.
Less is more when it comes to shadows and highlights
and it should be used with discretion.

Come in the same form as everyday makeup and serve

Mascara, Pencils and the same purpose. Black and brown eye pencils are
Lipsticks most common. Lipsticks with pink and peach tones are
the most natural.

Setting powder is used as the finishing touch to set and

keep stage makeup in place. A fine, translucent powder
Setting Powder
works well for all skin tones and doesn’t distract from
your colors or foundation.

APPLYING STRAIGHT MAKEUP

Not every role requires elaborate changes to your face. Basic makeup is called “straight”
makeup. It’s done for the purpose of giving color and life to your face. The best thing about
straight makeup is that it enhances your better features and conceals your lesser features.

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Getting Your Face Ready
Your face should be clean and free of oil before makeup is applied. An astringent or toner
applied on a freshly washed face will help keep your skin clean.

If your skin breaks out or becomes irritated To get your face ready
from using foundation, the problem is 1. Pin all hair away from your face by
probably not the makeup itself, but failing to using hairpins or a headband.
cleanse well before applying it or after
removing it. 2. Wash face thoroughly using soap and
water
3. Pat face dry with a towel
4. Use a cotton swab to apply an astringent or toner (e.g. witch hazel)

Never share makeup with others, infections can

Applying A Base spread easily from using someone else’s makeup,
especially eye makeup
Your base should be applied lightly and
thinly. A thick, cake-like application will
result in a blending of the base color with your shadows and rouges when they are applied on
top.

To apply your base

1. Use a latex sponge to spread the foundation
out to your hairline (including any bald
areas), your eyelids, lips and ears. It and
should extend below your costume neckline.
Pat the sponge over the entire area to even the
texture.
2. Use the edge of the sponge to get the base
close to your eyes, right up to the edge of
your lower lids.
3. Use a damp (not wet) sponge to lift any
remaining excess foundation and to give the
base a smooth, even finish.

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Rouge Application
Rouge is applied differently on men than women. Your rouge should not be bright or look
painted on.

Rouge for Men Rouge for Women

Apply the color in long triangles down both Brush the color over the entire cheekbone area,
sides of the face close to the nose, as starting from just in front of the ears (suck your
illustrated above. cheeks in to find the right spot) and try not to
get too close to the mouth.
Note: Do not apply over the temple, as it will narrow
your face.

A small amount of rouge blended into the chin and forehead will brighten your makeup.

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All About Eye Makeup
Eye makeup is done in three parts, the eyebrows, the eyelids and finally, the eyelashes.

Eyebrows
The pencils you choose should be based on your natural hair color. Black and brown pencils
are the most commonly used to enhance natural eye brows and keep stage lighting from
fading them out.
Eyebrows should not be drawn- in as this produces a hard, unnatural look. Fill in the
eyebrow as an arch, using a freshly sharpened eye pencil.

To create a perfect eye brow

1. Hold an eye brow pencil beside the
nose and straight up marks the
inner end of the eye brow (see A)
2. Take the same pencil then angle it
over from the side of the nostril
and across the outer corner of the
eye, the tip of the pencil will arc
the outside end of the perfect eye
brow (see B)

Eye Shadow
Eye shadow should be a natural tone, try to avoid
blues and green tones.
To apply eye shadow
1. Use the sponge applicator supplied provided with
the product or a ¼ inch professional sized brush
2. Apply eye shadow along the edge of the top eyelid and blend it off to the eyebrow where
the color should be the lighted. It should be darkest at the eyelashes.

Use more than one brush if you use more than one eye shadow shade

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About Eye Liner
Females should use eyeliner and it should be
powdered after it’s applied.
1. Line the upper lid by drawing a line along the
root of the eyelashes, starting at the inner eye,
thickening as you reach the outer eye, giving a
tapered effect as illustrated.
2. The same procedure is followed for the lower
lashes to complete the entire eye.
3.

Last But Not Least, Mascara

You have a couple of options when it comes to mascara. Theatre mascara is available in a
cake form and the standard cylinder form. The cake form is recommended for men, as the
cylinder from tends to curl the lashes.

To apply mascara for men

1. Wet an eye brow brush with warm water and work up a moist cream on the block
2. Apply the upper lashes first with sideways strokes of the brush, then with the brush
parallel to the lashes to separate them.
3. Repeat the procedure on lower lashes.

For ladies...
1. Plunge the mascara wand into the tube the remove any excess
2. Apply upper lid first, starting at the inner eye using upwards strokes.
3. Repeat procedure on lower lashes.

Applying Lip Color

Lips are outlined and filled in with a pencil liner, often a medium tone in the red family.
Maroon liner is also common. Once a liner is
applied, add lipstick to give your mouth more
color and gloss. Liners and rouge should be in the
same color family, the liner a shade slightly darker
than the rouge.
Naturally, men will not want ruby red lips. Peach
or neutral pink shades are recommended. Use your
discretion. If color is not required, Vaseline to
keep the mouth moist is a good choice.

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 The Final Result
The Importance of Powdering
All made-up areas must be powdered to “set” the makeup so it will not smear or get greasy.

To set your finished makeup

Pat on a generous amount of powder with a
puff. Do not drag it, as you will smear your
makeup.
1. Shake all excess powder off the puff and
use it to remove surplus power from
your face.
2. Repeat this process until all excess
powder is removed.

Note: You can remove excess powder from

eyelashes and eyebrows using moist fingers.

Your makeup should not feel greasy. It

should feel comfortable once it’s firmly set.
Places please...your makeup is ready to go!

MAKEUP REMOVAL
How you remove your makeup and cleanse your face after a performance will contribute to
how well your skin will look and feel on a daily basis, on stage and off.

To Remove Your Makeup

1. Smooth cold cream over your entire face with your fingertips (use gentle circular
motions) until the foundation lifts off your skin and into the cream.
2. Once the cold cream is no longer white, a thorough cleansing is taking place.
3. Wipe your face clean with a cotton cloth (torn up tee-shirt is best) or face cloth. Avoid
using paper products like paper towel as they can scratch the surface of your skin.
4. Wash your face thoroughly using soap and water
5. Cleanse your face with an astringent or toner. (Witch hazel is inexpensive and available
at most drug stores or cosmetic counters)
Optional: Apply a light moisturizer to leave your skin protected and refreshed.

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CARING FOR YOUR MAKEUP MATERIALS AND
TOOLS
• At the end of each performance, throw out latex sponges. Never reuse sponges. You skin
will stay healthier with a fresh sponge for each project and color used.
• Most makeup will keep indefinitely if not frozen or subjected to temperatures above
35°C. Any makeup that loses its viscosity or starts to discolor should be replaced.
• Sticks of makeup stored in plastic wrap will sweat. Leave it unwrapped or wrapped in
porous paper like tissue.
• Pencils should always have the plastic protective cap on the tip when not used.
• Brushes should be washed at the end of each run. Theatrical makeup shops carry brush
cleaner which is recommended if your brushes are thick with build up. Otherwise,
brushes can be washed gently in soap and water and left brush end up to thoroughly dry.
• A good velour powder puff can be washed along with your brushes in soap and water and
used over again.
• Sponge applicators can be washed but can lose their shape. If a sponge applicator (like
the ones used for eye shadow) start falling apart, simply replace them.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Thudium, Laura, Stage Makeup - The actor’s step-by-step guide to today’s techniques
and materials, New York Watson-Guptill Publications, 1999
2. Jans, Martin, Stage Make-up Techniques, Studio City Players Press, Inc., 1992
3. Cummings, Richard, Simple Makeup for Young Actors, Boston Plays, Inc. Publishers
4. Swinfield, Rosemarie, Stage Makeup Step-by-Step, Cincinnati Betterway Books, 1994
5. Roundabout Theatre Company. Cabaret, http//www.cabaret-54.com/updated July 13,
2001 (graphic for Welcome to my world)

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