For this task, I have been asked to create a video tutorial, on how to apply a basic stage makeup. This video may be followed by my performer, if for any reason I can not make show day.
In this video, I demonstrate how to effectively create a basic female stage makeup, while explaining why each step is important, to ensure the viewer is aware of how important each step really is.
Even though it may look crazy from up close, stage makeup must be dark and dramatic. This is used to help accentuate the facial features, and create a defined, but flawless, finish from a distance. It is important this makeup looks good from a distance (and not up close) as an audience in a theatre is sat at a far distance from the performer, rather than an up close experience in the cinema, or at home on your tv.
(product list included in video description)
Written tutorial:
Step 1 – Before applying any makeup, it is important that you carry out a cleanse, tone and moisturise. This will help prepare your skin for the makeup process, and create a smooth, even base.
Step 2 – Personally, I prefer starting with the eyes. I find this helpful, as it prevents any fall out ,from eye products, ruining the base makeup. Starting with brows, the first step is to use a brow gel, to keep the eyebrow hairs in place. Then, using a dark brow pencil, the eyebrow should be outlined. The brows should be made to look ‘blocky,’ to ensure they stand out from a distance.
Step 3 – Next, a range of eye shadows should be used to create a dark,smokey eye. Shimmers can be placed in the centre of the eye lid, to help focus the eyes. Concealer should be applied before a liquid shimmer, and partrolium jelly (vaseline) should be applied before loose pigments, to ensure they stick well.
Step 4 – A liquid, or gel eyeliner should be used to create a dramatic winged liner, along the upper lash line, and eyelid. Once again, the liner should be much longer and thicker than the ‘every day’ makeup, to ensure it gives a dramatic effect from a distance.
Step 5 – Once you have finished cleaning up the eyes, you can start on the face. The first step is foundation. For stage makeup, it is extremely important to use an oil based foundation, as this will prevent any smudging from sweating. It is also important to use a shade that is 2-4 shades darker that the natural skin tone. This is to prevent your skin from looking washed out under the bright stage lights.
Step 6 – Contouring should be very dramatised for stage makeup. Clean, harsh lines are used to help accentuate features such as the nose and cheekbones, creating the defined look (from a distance).
Step 7 – Cream blush should also be used in a female stage makeup. This helps
exaggerate the femininity of a character.
Step 8 – To eliminate an oily finish, all of the previous face makeup stages should now be set with powders. Powdered bronzer is used to set the contour, powdered blush is used to brighten the blush, and translucent powder should be applied anywhere else, to help set and lighten the rest of the face.
Step 9 – Now the face is almost done, we can go back to the eye makeup. A white pencil liner should be used below the lower lash line (along the lower eye lid) to open the eyes back up, and create a ‘doll like’ finish. Black pencil should then be applied under this to create the illusion of a lower lash line. This helps the eyes appear bigger from a distance.
Step 10 – To finish the eye makeup, mascara should be applied to the top and bottom lashes. False eye lashes can be applied but some performers may find it uncomfortable to wear them throughout a whole show.
Step 11 – To complete the look, lipstick is used to draw attention to another main facial feature. Red is the most common colour used in basic stage makeup, as it gives a dramatic effect, and once again, can be clearly seen from a distance. However, before applying the lipstick, lip liner should be used to slightly over line the lips, this helps them to appear bigger, and also prevents lip stick/gloss colour bleeding.
Step 12 – To finish the face, a small amount of highlight should be added to the cheekbones, temples, nose bridge and cupids bow. The highlighter helps to reflect lights, and add dimension to the face, but is it important not to over do it as this could make the face appear oily.
Step 13 – Finally, setting prat should be used to help lock all of the products in place, and prevent any smudging or fading over show time.
Removal:
Because we used an oil based foundation, a simple cleanse tone and moisturise will not remove the makeup on its own.
Firstly, makeup wipes should be used to remove the majority of the makeup. A gentle pushing motion should be used, working from the outside of the face, in to the centre. This motion prevents any dark lines or patches being left around the outside of the face (along the hair and jaw line).
Next, a cleanser should be used to remove the remaining makeup. Depending on the amount of product left on the skin, you may need to repeat this step 2-3 times.
An eye makeup remover may need to be used to ensure all of the eye makeup is fully removed. Eye liners and mascaras can sometimes be tricky to remove with basic cleansers, as they are often water-proof.
After the skin is cleansed, a toner should be used to tighten the pores back up, giving the skin a refreshed look, and maintaining healthy skin.
Finally, moisturiser should be used to lock all of these products in to the skin, and leave the skin feeling fresh.
Megan Hoff 