Drama Class Makeup

While today’s performers can choose from an incredible range of palettes, tools, and products, there are some cosmetics that no respectable makeup kit should be left without! Whether you decide to mix and match your cosmetics from several professional companies, or you want to simplify things by purchasing pre-assembled makeup kits, you’ll need to get your hands on the following basics:

Foundation or base makeup: Foundations serve as the base for all makeup designs. They smooth the skin tone and make the face a “palette” for the makeup. Kryolan products and Ben Nye makeup both make a wide variety of foundations that will match almost any skin tone, both in cream and cake varieties.

Rouge, highlights, and lowlights: After applying foundation, you should use makeup to emphasize the shape of your face. It is customary to highlight the cheekbones with a vibrant shade of blush. For larger venues (or characters that warrant a more dramatic look), many makeup artists also like bring out the contours of an actor’s face with highlights and lowlights. The most effective colors for contours are browns, grays, and tans.

Eye and lip colors: The eyes are one of the most expressive parts of the face. However, it can be particularly difficult to read their many emotions from afar. To bring out the eyes, makeup artists use eye shadow, eyebrow pencils, eyeliner (either liquid or pencil) and mascara. Lipstick and lip liner, in strong colors, are also absolute essentials. Choose bright or dark shades for maximum visibility.

Finishing touches: Finish off every makeup application with a dusting of powder, either loose or pressed. Finish off every performance by cleansing your face with a special cleanser or cold cream, designed to gently remove theatrical makeup.

Tools: Small sponges – usually wedge-shaped – are an essential for applying even foundation and contours. Professional grade makeup brushes in various sizes are also necessary for applying blush, loose powder, eye shadows, or liquid eyeliners and lipsticks. Most makeup artists also have an eyelash curler, swab tip applicators, powder puffs, foam tip applicators, and a pencil sharpener for eye pencils.