Make-up: What should I have? - 2007/07/19 10:53I am in my first musical theatre production and am at a loss when it comes to my make-up case! What do I need to have? Should everything I use be specifically for stage, or can I get away with some that is just "everyday" makeup?
I thought I had seen a list previously on the site that had to do with this topic, but I can't find it now. If there is one, can someone please point me in the right direction?
Thanks!Jennifer
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margyjohnson
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Re:Make-up: What should I have? - 2007/07/19 12:04It depends on the production. Some are all about specific stage make-up but most of the school & community theatre stuff you just wear regular make-up.
Go light or non-existant on eye shadow, wear more eyeliner, mascara, blush & lipstick than usual. (Darker colors & heavier)
Natural foundation & powder color.
Hope that helps.Favorite Shows: Wicked, Hairspray, A Chorus Line & Spamalot Dream Roles: Ado Annie/Oklahoma, Galinda/Wicked In production: Ti Moune in Once On this Island Jr Upcoming Auditions: The Music Man, McKinney Has Talent contest
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ising88
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Re:Make-up: What should I have? - 2007/07/19 12:14Some people will tell you that professional stage makeup is always necessary, but in my humble opinion, it really depends upon the size of the theatre. How far away is your audience? If it is a large theatre or has a lot of lighting, I would suggest stage makeup (try ben-nye, they're pretty good). If you're in a small house, like a black box, then normal make-up should suffice (unless you're in a specific kind of role where you'd need character make-up). For stage make-up situations, you'll need:
A base color sponges powder a 4 color palatte (usually has a beige, a brown, a mauvy color and a more pink color) black , preferably liquid eyeliner (wont ssmear as much as a pencil) waterproof mascara some eyeshadows (you can use the color palatte for bluxh, unless you'd prefer another)
And you're going to want to put some face lotion (try cetaphyl, its hypoallergenic) on before your base coat, to avoid pore cloggage and allergic reations. Always be sure to bring a towel with you so you can cover your costume when being powwdered, and always, ALWAYS wash your face after a performance (again, try cetaphyl). You'll need cold cream or eye makeup remover for the eyeliner/mascara.
Hope this helped!~*~Angelina~*~
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rowan_tree
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Re:Make-up: What should I have? - 2007/07/19 12:29The current production is Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. The theatre is fairly small...holds about 120 - 150 people I would say. I know people have worn stage make-up in past performances there...but now that I think about it the only time I've heard people mention wearing stage make-up was when they did Hot Mikado and they had to have white faces. So maybe it's not that necessary!
Thanks for the suggestions! I guess I was under the impression that stage make-up is always required...so I'm glad I asked! I don't want to spend lots of money on it if I can just use regular make-up. Jennifer
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ASHS_theatre
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Re:Make-up: What should I have? - 2007/08/08 13:54I know I use regular makeup, save for some stage-specific face powder, which I just happen to have. I'd give my own suggestions but I think everything has been covered. Just remember that the makeup should be tailored to your character. I was just in 42nd Street, for example, as a chorus member and since we were supposed to be feminine girls in a B'way line, we had bright lipstick and blue toned eye shadow.
You should check out the makeup section of MTA...HINT HINT KRIS. Shelby Jr. Moderator
Currently: Fritzi Bonwit in M*A*S*H
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aliauthor
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Re:Make-up: What should I have? - 2008/03/29 12:50ising88 wrote: Some people will tell you that professional stage makeup is always necessary, but in my humble opinion, it really depends upon the size of the theatre. How far away is your audience? If it is a large theatre or has a lot of lighting, I would suggest stage makeup (try ben-nye, they're pretty good). If you're in a small house, like a black box, then normal make-up should suffice (unless you're in a specific kind of role where you'd need character make-up). For stage make-up situations, you'll need:
A base color sponges powder a 4 color palatte (usually has a beige, a brown, a mauvy color and a more pink color) black , preferably liquid eyeliner (wont ssmear as much as a pencil) waterproof mascara some eyeshadows (you can use the color palatte for bluxh, unless you'd prefer another)
And you're going to want to put some face lotion (try cetaphyl, its hypoallergenic) on before your base coat, to avoid pore cloggage and allergic reations. Always be sure to bring a towel with you so you can cover your costume when being powwdered, and always, ALWAYS wash your face after a performance (again, try cetaphyl). You'll need cold cream or eye makeup remover for the eyeliner/mascara.
Hope this helped!
I think we have the same ben nye makeup kit! *high fives* They stock really good stuff, especially the four color palette and the fairest foundation (the only shade that will ever work on me). I love the makeup section of the site- and this new lil section of forums for production q+a is great, too! -Ali
Currently: -Sheila; Boys Next Door (postshow depression mode) -auditions for acting ensemble and whatever the school musical is...sort of anxious!
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jameala
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Re:Make-up: What should I have? - 2008/03/29 17:52Being a man, I really had no idea what to buy, so I went to the local costume rental show and said "what do I need?" She said "this Ben Nye base and this Ben Nye blush". The make-up lady for the show told me "go to Walgreen's and buy this 99 cent eye liner pencil". I never could figure out how to do the line under my eyes, so she would do it every night.
I just put the base and the rouge on with one of those triangular disposable sponges, but I am sure you don't need me to tell you how to but make-up on!
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Melissa
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Re:Make-up: What should I have? - 2008/03/29 18:25I'm in Joseph right now, and we have to use a darker base. I am Irish, with type A skin. In other words, freckles and my skin actually doesnt tan. I GLOW under theatre lights.
Anyways, they had us use a dark foundation because, well, its hot there, and people are tan. Ask your director if she/he wants tan faces or natural makeup.Lissa
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Jbug
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Re:Make-up: What should I have? - 2008/03/31 14:42It depends on the show and your skin type. If you do lots of character parts, you will want to have some professional type of make-up in your kit to help you look the character. You know, stuff to put lines on your face. Or if you are playing an animal, you want to do a whole animal face - like if you were in "Cats".
Guys have it easy - Just get some Ben Nye. They only work hard if they have a character. But Gals need to put more effort into it.
If you are going to just look normal, you can basically use your regular make-up and step it up a little. You start with a good covering foundation base. Never go without that. You also want to put on good eye make-up. I do it slightly darker than normal for stage, but I use the same colors I use in real life. Fake eyelashes are good to have around if you need a more glamorous look or if you are performing to a big house. Not too fake looking though, something that will just bring out a natural look from afar. Eye liner is also good to use. Be heavier with the rouge on your cheeks so that the lights won't fade you out. I also use a slightly darker powder on certain parts of my face to give me a better cheek and jaw line. Top off everything with a basic face powder to make everything stick and not look greasy. You also need a lipstick that has a good color. Don't use something too light on your lips. Use something that is a step or 2 darker than you would use in real life. With some characters, you might go super red.
Everything depends on the character I am playing. Glamour or plain, ugly or beautiful, character or normal. My make-up is part of the character. You may want to experiment before hand. How would my character wear make-up? Talk to your director for more help.
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borne4broadway
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Re:Make-up: What should I have? - 2008/03/31 16:16I'm going to repeat the makeup process I have used for all my shows for about a year and the results are always great (I learned from a pro. makeup artists, who has done a lot of artists like Jennifer Lopez, so I trust her). I don't use any "official" stage makeup, I just use Aveda and Ulta. If you need cheap, bright makeup, then use Wet n' Wild
1. foundation matching your skin tone, try to get one that's oil free. I use Maybelline Pure liquid foundation. Include covering your eyelids, ears, and neck.
2. blush -not too red, a little goes a long way. Smile, lightly stroking from the apple of your cheek to your ear.
3. eyeliner - brown if you want a natural look, under the eye and along the lid or white if you want to make your eyes look bigger. Try to put it on in one fluid stroke
4. eyeshadow - neutral/tan on the lid, a darker brown in the crease, and a paler tan lighter than your skin tone from the top of the lid to the brow. You may want to highlight your eyes by using a light tan under the eyes instead of white eyeliner
5. eyebrow - optional. Pick an eyeshadow a few colors lighter than your eyebrows and use a slanted, stiffer brush
5. mascara - hold and wiggle. It's easier with a curved brush
6. lipstick - put chapstick on first, so the color lasts longer. Pick a pinky shade, one that looks natural with your color or red if you need a more dramatic effect.
7. powder - translucent or matching your skin toneAshie P "Cages or wings - which do you prefer? Ask the birds."
Upcoming shows: Romeo and Juliet - Nurse Flowers for Algernon - Mrs. Donner
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jameala
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Re:Make-up: What should I have? - 2008/04/01 14:32Boy! I am glad this came up. I went to find my bag with my two little tubes of make-up and my eyeliner and 3 sponge triangles and realized they were missing. After a thorough search of the house, I found it in a very unlikely place. It has my wireless mic transmitter pouches in it and everything. Had this not come up, I would have looked for it an hour before dress rehearsal and would not have been able to find it.
As an aside, Melissa, what is Type A skin? That is a term I have never heard before (one of the million, I am sure).
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