How to Apply Stage Makeup

Are you ready to apply stage makeup? Sometimes it can be a little difficult without some experience, but here are a few suggestions to make it easier for you.

Most people don’t realize that stage makeup needs to be put on quite thick. If it looks gaudy and dark, you’re on right track. This will keep the makeup from fading as quickly under the bright lights of the stage.

First, use a foundation that is a little darker than the natural skin color. Be sure to put it on in a thick layer. When in doubt, make the color darker rather than lighter. It’s easier to begin by putting the foundation on the forehead and then systematically moving upward toward the hairline. Don’t forget to cover the entire face, ears and neck to insure a makeup look and not a mask look. Once the foundation is in place, use a lighter color of shadow under the nose and chin.

Next, put a rose colored blush on the cheeks and blend over the entire cheek area. Then, blend it lightly over the forehead and nose. Women should use a darker color blend. Although it may appear too dark at first, the blush should be visible to the audience under the bright stage lights. 

Apply a lighter (whiter) eye makeup just underneath the eyebrow and eyes. Be sure to avoid streaking as you lighten the area under the eyebrows and eyes. Next, apply makeup over the eye and below the brow bone that is darker than the natural skin tone. Blend the makeup carefully. Then, put a darker color makeup over the top of the eyelid and blend it carefully downward. This will suffice for men. However, for women apply an even darker color makeup over the upper part of the eyebrows just as you would do when applying normal eye shadow. Once this is completed, use a darker color such as brown to line the eyes. Finally, carefully apply mascara to the top eyelashes.

Apply lip liner and lipstick makeup next. For men use a lipstick color, which is only a shade darker than their natural lip color. For women use a darker color lipstick. Use a similar color of lip liner. Carefully apply the liner on the outside of the lips. To help the lipstick last longer apply lip liner over the entire lip area. Then, fill in the lips with lipstick.  

Finally, apply loose powder over the face. Be sure to shake off the excess powder before applying to avoid streaking. The powder helps the makeup last longer and keep in place as the actor sweats on stage.

Stage Makeup