Makeup Lessons

This is me, after appearing in a benefit theatre production. My makeup is totally smudged. I wear makeup acting in the theatre, and sometimes I like to wear it on weekends. Most days, I also wear lip gloss and sometimes even some clear mascara.

These makeup lessons are for those of you girls who want to wear makeup either onstage or off.

For theatre camp, we had to purchase a makeup kit. We purchased everything we needed at Target and spent about $40 total. Here is what I bought for my makeup kit:

• A big, glittery green plastic makeup case with a sliding tray insert. It cost $5-$10 (I can’t remember the exact amount.)


• Pick up a makeup brush set or at least one big brush.


• Foundation - We started by looking for a cheap foundation and found that Cover Girl makes one that worked well. To match your skin color, you rub a drop of the liquid on the back of your hand. My match as “soft honey.” When applying foundation, dot your face then rub it in with a gentle circular motion using a makeup sponge. (For a lighter look, when not onstage, dampen the makeup sponge with water.) Make sure to cover your eyelids and blend in your chin line so that you don’t get a visible line between face and neck.


• Eyeliner - We picked up Maybelline’s Expert Eyes brown eyeliner. I do not recommend using eyeliner unless you are going on stage.


• Eye shadow - Any collection of eye shadow will do. For acting, you apply the makeup and choose colors differently. For off stage use, I recommend that you choose neutral colors like a light shade of brown or very light pink. It depends on your eye color. Keep in mind that blue or purple eye shadow will only make you look like a clown. On stage, we apply white shadow all over our eyes and use bright color that matches our character to cover the lower part of the eyelid (in a half-moon shape.)


• Mascara – On stage, I use Maybelline’s Great Lash dark brown mascara. Off stage, brunettes should use this brown mascara and girls with black hair should use the black mascara. If you have blond hair, you should use clear mascara. I use a clear mascara from Smackers called “Lash Splash.” Applying mascara can be scary, but you just have to try it. Open your eyes and look at a mirror, don’t allow non-professionals to apply it for you, just do it yourself. There two ways that I know to use the applicator wand. One, you can hold the wand so that it is vertical to your eyelash and you bring it up. Two, you can hold the wand horizontally and pull it out from the center of your eyelash.


• Blush – I only use it for onstage. Otherwise, blush makes you look like a clown. On stage, you need a vibrant color to make your face stand out. I used N.Y.C. New York Color to get a Color Wheel Mosaic Powder Pink Cheek Glow. Basically, it has a bunch of squares of different colors and you apply all of the colors at once. Off stage, you don’t need blush.


• Powder – This should be the last step in your makeup application, but I saved lip color for last because it’s my favorite. Choose the powder by the same brand as your liquid foundation with the same matching color name. For example, I got the “Soft Honey” powder because I got the “Soft Honey” Liquid Foundation. Using a big brush, apply this lightly over everything including lipstick because it helps to set and maintain color as long as possible. However, don’t put it over lip gloss because that is just gross.


• Lip Color – For lipstick, I use the same colors on stage that I use off stage. Find a color that you like by applying a bit on the base of your thumb. I like L’Oreal Endless Really Rose #740 because it’s a pretty color on me. I don’t use lip liner, although I suppose that you could. I just apply the lipstick by following the lines of my lips. Most days, I don’t use lipstick but I always carry lip gloss and apply it frequently. Even when I do use lipstick (on weekends, for example,) I dilute the color by topping it with clear, shiny lip gloss to give it the perfect touch.

Don’t wear make up to impress other people. Just wear it when you need it on stage. Or, wear it when you want to feel pretty. Or, just wear it for fun. But, always remember that’s it’s your insides are pretty, except for the guts.