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Large Stage Makeup    Foundation    Shading and Highlighting     Rouge    Powder    Children       

Large Stage Makeup

This is the makeup to use for really big theaters where the face has to project a long way. It is, therefore, perfect for performances like ballet, where there is a lot of movement. To look unmade-up, keep everything the same except the eye shadow and bright lipstick, and change the rouge position. False eyelashes are optional.•

1. Start with a foundation that provides a lot of coverage.  The stronger the makeup, the better the foundation cover needs to be. For white skins, unless instructed otherwise, choose a darker color than you would use for smaller stages; it will contrast better with the highlights. The stronger lighting on a large stage also drains the face of color.

2. Now apply all the shadows necessary to create the appropriate level of shading, plus any extras you may need to improve facial structure. To reduce plumpness, draw a shadow along the edge of the jaw line from ear to ear. To make the eyes stand out clearly, use cream eyeliner to emphasize the socket shadow.

3. Blend the shadows, but leave the shading under the cheekbones and on the eye sockets quite clearly defined. Don't overdo the nose shading or it will dominate the face. To see how it all looks, step well back and assess the effect. Add more shading if needed, but remember the highlights will strengthen its effect.

4. Add the highlights, making sure you use enough. To make the eyes much stronger, use highlight on the browbone instead of shading. Soften the highlights carefully, but leave plenty of strength of color.

5. Use a strong, pale cream eye shadow on the eyelids to make the eyes look really large. It is difficult to get this intensity of color in powder eye shadows. Powder the whole face very well, taking time to do it properly. Add a dab of pearly shimmer to the center of each eyelid.

6. The eye lines show trace a rim around the eye socket, above the upper lid and below the bottom lashes. Be sure to leave a clear gap between the top and bottom extensions to "open the eye. You can put a little highlisth between them --- this is particularly helpful for narrow eyes. Do one eye socket at a time and check its size. Deepen the socket shadow a little more and add plenty of mascara.

7. Add false eyelashes, if desired, and define the eyebrows very clearly for facial expression to be seen from the back of the theater. Apply more rouge than for smaller stages, but in the same color. Use a strong, but not dark red, lipstick unless the mouth is supposed to be unmade-up. Outline the lips with dark red to strengthen the shape, finishing with a little lip loss if appropriate.