How to Apply Makeup on Yourself for a Show

If you're doing a show, it's important you do your makeup a little dramatically for the stage. Apply a heavy amount of foundation and concealer only a few shades lighter than your natural skin tone. Use lighter eyeshadows in a natural color, like peach or pink. While doing your own makeup for a show can be stressful, you can definitely do it with a little time and effort.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Applying Foundational Makeup

1
Wash and moisturize your face first.^{[1]XExpert SourceYuka Arora
Makeup ArtistExpert Interview. 30 August 2018.} You should always apply stage makeup to a clean face. Before applying your makeup, wash your face using a gentle cleanser and water to remove any sweat or makeup you may be wearing. Then, add your regular moisturizer.^{[2]XResearch source}
- Make sure you wash your hands before applying moisturizer.
- If you don't have a regular moisturizer, pick up a face moisturizer at a local drug store before apply stage makeup. This will keep your face looking smooth and soft for a show.
2
Choose a foundation slightly darker than your natural skin tone. The key to stage makeup is enhancing your natural skin features rather than trying to change them. Go for a foundation that is one or two shades darker than your natural tone. Stage lights tend to wash out color, so a slightly darker foundation will help balance this out and leave your skin looking natural.^{[3]XResearch source}
- However, there may sometimes be exceptions to this rule. If you're playing a character who's supposed to be pale or sickly, for example, you may want to go for a foundation that's lighter than your natural skin tone.
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Dab your foundation onto your face with your finger. Then, use a makeup sponge to gradually blot your makeup into your skin. Add multiple dots of foundation all over your face, making small dots across the forehead, cheeks, temples, jawlines, chin, and the neck. A sponge is best for stage makeup, as it provides more even coverage. Make sure to blend the foundation out near the neck, temples, and jawline so your makeup doesn't look overdone.^{[4]XResearch source}
4
Highlight with light and dark facial creams. There's no need to dramatically alter your face via complex contouring, but some basic highlights can help your face look more shapely on stage. For highlighting, you use makeup creams, such as BB cream or something similar, over concealers. Use lighter cream makeup along the bone lines of your nose and cheeks. Use a darker cream below your cheekbones and on your jawline.^{[5]XResearch source}
- Apply this makeup with a sponge as well and make sure to blend it out so the lines don't look dramatic.
Blush should be applied on the cheekbones. Start on the top of the apple and work the blush upward. Stop just below your eye. Choose a blush that's slightly brighter than your regular skin tone.^{[6]XResearch source}
6
Set the makeup with powder.^{[7]XExpert SourceYuka Arora
Makeup ArtistExpert Interview. 30 August 2018.} A setting powder is a translucent powder that helps your makeup stay on better. It's vital with stage makeup, as the lights can cause sweating which can result in makeup fading. Apply a light layer of powder over your face after applying the foundation and cream. In addition to keeping your makeup intact, this will also give it a natural finish.^{[8]XResearch source}
- Keep your setting powder with you when you go to perform. Reapply it as needed throughout the show.
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Doing Your Lips and Eyes

1
Use three different natural shades of eyeshadow. Unless your character's makeup is specifically supposed to be dramatic, go for a gradient of colors in a lighter, natural shade. Opt for three different shades of powder-based eye shadow: one dark, one light, one medium.^{[9]XResearch source}
- For example, you can use a peach color. Have one shade of light, almost white, peach, one shade of somewhat brighter peach, and one slightly darker shade of peach.
- Some people prefer applying a primer first, as this can help your eye shadow stay on better.
2
Apply your eye shadow. Use a brush to dab on the medium shade on the area of your eyelid just above your eyeball. Add a small amount of this color to the crease. Add the lightest shade just above where you applied the medium shade and blend it out to the brow. Finally, outline your eye with the darkest shade by using a thin-tipped brush to trace your eyelash line and move the line around your eye into your crease.^{[10]XResearch source}
- When you're done, you can use a blending brush to blend the varying shades of eyeshadow together.
3
Use false eyelashes. False lashes are preferred over mascara for the stage as they're easiest to see. You apply false lashes by adding a thin strip of glue to the edge of the lashes. Then, press the lashes onto your eyelid, just above your eyelash line, using your fingers.^{[11]XResearch source}
- The glue you need should be sold with your false eyelashes. Never use glue meant for things like crafts to apply false eyelashes.
- Even male actors can benefit from false eyelashes.
- If you want, you can add a light amount of mascara over the lashes to enhance them slightly more.
Trace your upper and lower lash line with liquid liner to make your eyes more distinct. Pencil eyeliner is more prone to smudging. Only use a thin line of liquid liner. Too much can look unnatural and dramatic.^{[12]XResearch source}
5
Apply a bright lipstick in a long-wearing formula. Run a wet toothbrush over your lips to exfoliate and then apply a brighter lipstick. Pink and reds look great for the stage. While the lipstick may look unnaturally bright, remember the stage lights will wash it out and dull the color.^{[13]XResearch source}
- Pick an all day lipstick so you don't have to continually reapply your lipstick throughout the show.
- Some people also prefer a matching lip liner for a neater look.
^{[14]XExpert SourceYuka Arora
Makeup ArtistExpert Interview. 30 August 2018.} Use an eyebrow brush that matches your natural brow color to trace the outline of your eyebrows. For the stage, it's not necessary to fill the brows in. People will not be able to see your brows on stage, so focus primarily on outlining.^{[15]XResearch source}
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Avoiding Common Mistakes

While the less is more approach is true most of the time when it comes to foundation, it is not the case when you're applying makeup for the stage. Use a generous amount of foundation and apply it to areas you wouldn't normally use foundation, like the neck. Light washes out a lot of color, so a heavy amount of foundation is important.^{[16]XResearch source}
Unless it's specified in the script that your character does something like a smoky eye, keep dramatic makeup off the stage. Dramatic colors, especially around the eyes, will look unnatural on the stage. Stick to eyeshadow colors that match your natural skin tone.^{[17]XResearch source}
Get as many waterproof brands of makeup as you can. Waterproof makeup will hold up better as you sweat on stage, preventing your makeup from smearing. You will also not waste as much time reapplying makeup.^{[18]XResearch source}
You may get concerned if your makeup ends up looking overdone. This is normal for stage makeup, so do not tone down your look. People need to be able to see you under the lights and from a distance. Your makeup will look a little dramatic, but that's okay.^{[19]XResearch source}
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Expert Q&A

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Question
Should I apply foundation with a sponge or a brush?
Yuka Arora
Makeup Artist
Yuka Arora is a self-taught makeup artist who specializes in abstract eye art. She has been experimenting with makeup art for over 5 years, and has amassed over 5.6K Instagram followers in just 5 months. Her colorful and abstract looks have been noticed by Jeffree Star Cosmetics, Kat Von D Beauty, Sephora Collection, among others.
Yuka Arora
Makeup Artist
Expert Answer
If you're using a powder-based foundation, opt for a sponge since it will help set your makeup more. Otherwise, you can use a brush.
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Question
What must I buy to prepare my eye shadow?
Community Answer
An eye shadow primer.
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How do I do my eyebrows?
Community Answer
First brush out your eyebrows then apply a thin layer of brow gel so they hold in place. Next you will want to find a shade of eyeshadow slightly darker than your eyebrow color. Fill in your eyebrows using an eyeshadow brush. Accent underneath with a white or very light pencil.
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Tips

If you have a chance, practice applying make-up before the night of the show so you'll know precisely what you'll need to do.
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Don't forget to take a step back and look at your work from a distance. Any glaring errors will still stand out.
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