Theatrical Makeup

The Concealing

One of the main parts of theatrical makeup is taking an individual and transforming them into something unrecognizable. A lot of times when an actor is playing a part, it is vital to mask what they are in real life with the help of costuming and cosmetics. Whether it is making a young man look very old, or a good girl look bad, the pros of theatrical makeup have a way to do it.

Both on stage and screen, one of the principal concealments makeup artists perform on a regular basis is the removal of anything that is connected to our real life bodies making an actor distract or stand out in a negative way. An example of this is an unsightly tattoo. So how come you see actresses in magazines with big ink designs on their arms and backs, and yet on screen they are seemingly invisible? Part of the reason is thanks to computer alterations and airbrushing, but at the same time, makeup plays a big role.

First, the tattoo is covered up with a orange tint shade of thick concealer. This is applied with a makeup brush to ensure even coverage and adequate application. Then the foundation is set with a face powder that is lighter than the previously used shade and dampened slightly with a sponge. Any redness or discoloration is further hidden with other kinds of theatrical makeup, and voile! The tattoo is nonexistent! Being a theatrical makeup artist means knowing how to do things like this on an every day basis in no time flat.

The Revealing

Actors can spend literally hours in the makeup chair before their character is expressed and revealed through the finished product. Everything from false colored contacts to glitter and sprays are used to completely transform the face and hair into whatever it is the actor is determined to be portraying.

This can prove difficult on an individual, especially those who are in a long running theatre production or some other sort of creative endeavor demanding them to be in the same makeup for hours at a time, for extended days and weeks out of the year.

Dried out skin and discolored hair are the most common predicaments performing artists endure when it comes to their profession requiring a lot of makeup and hair adjustments. Theatrical makeup is rarely nourishing to the skin like a lot of regular every day cosmetics are nowadays.

So if you ever think that your job is difficult, just tell yourself that you are lucky it doesn't discolor or irritate your body on a regular basis!

Where to Buy Theatrical Makeup

One of the easiest places for an amateur or small theatre company to find theatrical makeup is at a Halloween store, but obviously since these are not always readily available, there are plenty of Internet sites that also sell these year-round. A simple search on Google can easily lead you to the theatrical shops in your area, or to plenty of affordable theatrical websites.

Some theatrical makeup and hair enhancements can also be found in beauty supply shops such as Sally Beauty Supply or anywhere else selling makeup and hair products geared toward the Emo or Goth set. These make great choices for theatrical productions and are a good option for those looking for low cost, good quality theatrical makeup.

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