How to Apply Stage Makeup

All the world’s a stage, and everyone wears masks to play a role. In theater, though, make-up can make a whole new difference in how the audience views and perceives the play. Here are some tips and tricks you can use to maximize the use of cosmetics and make-up in your stage presentation.

Kinds of Make-Up

Like props and effects, make-up is a very important part of stage performances. Make-up highlights the facial features of the performer. Make-up can also be used to change a performer’s facial features to suit a particular character’s traits in a play or performance. There are two kinds of make-up available on the market:

• Oil-based make-up is a heavy kind of make-up used for many kinds of lipstick and mascara. Oil-based make-up is used for performances that require the character to be very visible from any angle on the stage, but do not require the performer to wear a mask.
• Water-based make-up is a kind of make-up that does not cause rashes, itchiness, or irritation during and after the performance. While not as heavy and as visible as oil-based products, many layers of water-based make-up can achieve the same effect as oil-based make-up.

Exaggerate

The key to using make-up onstage is to exaggerate. Rather than merely highlight facial features, make-up is used as a way to make the performer’s facial features and expressions visible to the audience. Instead of adding some blush here and a stroke of lipstick there, you should apply a thicker layer of make-up than usual. You should pay attention to parts of the face that move a lot during the performance, particularly the eyes and the lips.

Use Bold Colors and Strokes

If you’ve watched Shakespearean plays or kabuki performances before, you may have noticed that the performers have very thick layers of make-up in unnatural colors. The lips of the performers are very red, or the faces of the actors are covered in pale white.

Unless your play attempts to be as realistic as possible, you should try to avoid colors that blend in with the natural skin color of the performer. Remember that the face of the performer should be visible from all angles of the venue, and that everyone can pick out the subtle details of a performer’s gestures and facial expressions.

Keep It Comfortable

Plays and performances can take a while to finish, especially if the scenes are quite long. The key to applying make-up is to keep layers visible, but at the same time comfortable. You may want to use very light shades of foundation, or a darker color of eyeshadow, or thicker layers of blush and lipstick. Make sure, though, that the performer can still deliver lines and make gestures without the make-up running or getting in the way of the performance.

Whether it’s a school play or a grand theatrical performance, make-up can make - or break - a stage performance. With these tips, your play can be made even better with the right ways to apply make-up for stage performers.