Makeup Design

Introduction

• Stage actors do own makeup
  • May not afford designer
• Actors know basic principles + skills of makeup
  • Wrinkle placement, differences in skin texture, facial hair and bone structure 
  • These often have to be recreated on their own faces
• Bone structure is particularly important as it is the basis of all makeup application
• BOTH male and female actors wear makeup

Used for:

• Alter (change) or enhance the appearance
  • This makes the actor better suit their character
• Makeup is used to inform the audience about certain key traits of a character
  • Age and mood

Makeup Designer Role:

• Brainstorm their ideas on a makeup worksheet

  • This is basically a picture of a face

• Consider the whole production when deciding on makeup design

• + space = + makeup

• +lighting = + makeup

Theatre Makeup Kit

• Theatrical makeup kits are very unique (7 things)
  • different kinds of makeup that you would not see in day-to-day makeup
  • Clown white - used for stylized makeup and highlighting 
  • Hair whitener - may be similar to white mascara, or white shoe polish
  • Temporary hair colourants - can be in a spray or brush on form
  • Liquid body makeup - this is in the same colour as the actors facial foundation makeup
  • Special brushes - used for highlight and shadow, as well as for wrinkle creation and general makeup application
  • Spirit gum and remover - a tacky substance used to apply fake facial hair 
  • Nose putty and artificial blood - used to create wounds or build up features 

Makeup Application

1. Foundation is used to create a blank canvas in which to add other colours and makeup aspects

   • If nose putty should be done prior to the foundation

2. Shadow and highlight makeup is then used to make certain facial features stand out

   • Very sharp/ crisp lines - laugh lines/wrinkles
   • Shadow makeup darker than the actor’s regular makeup
     • Every shadow must have a highlight.
     • olive skin tone - tan/yellow works
     • dark skin tones - light brown/yellow tone. 
     • light skin - yellow/white shade.
   • Shadow = sunken or concave, and highlight is used for any areas that protrude. 
   • Being able to contour (use makeup to create shape) is a key skill for makeup artists and actors.

3. Rouge or blush and lipstick are applied to the actor

   1. It is very important that an actor’s lips are visible while on stage

      1. Lip liners - thin/full/change shape
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4. Makeup is then applied to eyes and eyebrows

   1. Eyebrows are very important as they impact character greatly
   2. Eyebrow shape has a direct impact on the character, and it can also denote the time period
   3. Eyeshadow and eyeliner help the eyes look more visible and defined
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5. Powder is then added to the face to set the makeup

6. Final touches may then be added, such as mascara, false eyelashes, or rouge touch-up

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