Creating a look for the stage or theater differs vastly from creating a natural, everyday look. Under the bright lights and high-definition cameras, performers need makeup that accentuates their features and conveys emotion clearly to the audience. If you’re interested in perfecting stage/theater makeup, here are our top five tips and tricks.
Start With a Solid Base
A flawless canvas is vital for creating the perfect stage makeup look. First, you should begin by cleansing and moisturizing the skin. Then, apply a high-coverage, long-lasting foundation. The foundation should be a shade darker than your natural skin tone to prevent looking washed out under the stage lights. Don’t forget to blend it down to the neck for a seamless appearance.
Emphasize the Eyes
Eyes are the windows to a character’s soul on stage. They should stand out and convey strong emotions. Use bold eyeshadow, eyeliners, and mascaras to achieve the perfect eye makeup for a theater performance. Don’t shy away from deeper shades since subtler colors may not be visible under stage lights. Remember to highlight the brow bone and inner corner of the eyes for an added pop.
Choose the Right Blush and Contour
Under stage lighting, flat facial features sometimes translate poorly. To counter this, apply contour and highlight. These techniques give depth and dimension to the face. When choosing a blush, pick a shade slightly more intense than what you would normally wear.
Additionally, you should pay close attention to your stage lighting. You should find the right stage lighting for different skin tones to ensure your makeup look achieves its full potency.
Go Bold With Lips
While you should focus on creating a cohesive look, you also need to define your lips. Choose bold shades like reds, berries, and deep pinks to create a vibrant look. Before applying lipstick, you should outline your lips with a lip liner to prevent the color from bleeding. This will give your lips a polished look. Consider using matte lipsticks, as they tend to last longer and require fewer touch-ups during a performance.
Set Everything in Place
Stage performances can be long and intense. The last thing you want is for your makeup to melt or smudge midway through a performance. After applying your makeup, set everything with a generous amount of setting spray. Doing this will keep your makeup intact and fresh throughout the show.
Theater makeup is all about striking a balance between functionality and drama. In addition to applying our five tips and tricks for perfecting stage/theater makeup, always consider the character you’re playing and the tone of the play or musical. Whether you’re a budding theater artist or someone who loves experimenting with makeup, these guidelines will ensure you shine under the spotlight.
