You get make-up, then you get stage make-up. The latter is a beautiful lie. From the back row of the theater, the performer looks like they have flawless skin, chiselled cheekbones, and eyes that speak a thousand words. Up close? It’s a whole different story. At times, one that could belong in the Rocky Horror Picture Show or Ru Paul’s Drag Race.
The thing is, stage make-up was never made to be subtle nor to slightly accentuate your features. It’s designed to survive blinding lights, beads of sweat and be seen from far, far away. It’s loud, proud, bold and obnoxious. And it prefers an audience rather than a close-up lens.
A woman had the internet in stitches recently when she revealed her panel-beaten face on TikTok shortly after being on stage. “Why did nobody warn me about what stage makeup looked like?” quipped @theyluv.mckayla0. What followed was a string of solidarity posts from people showcasing their stage make-up artists’ theatrics.
Image credits: theyluv.mckayla0
Bored Panda has put together a list of the best pics for you to scroll through ahead of your next trip to the theater. From the utterly hilarious to the downright scary, all are reminders of what it really takes to look human (or not) from fifty feet away. We also speak to make-up artist and owner of The Make-Up Touch agency, Tammy Hardy to get her take on the dos and don’ts of applying stage make-up.
#1 The Teeth Stuff Tasted So Bad Too
Image source: lily|
If you’ve ever been on stage in a theater production, there’s a high probability that you had to wear makeup, whether you wanted to or not. It’s also not unlikely that you looked in the mirror afterwards and thought, “Oh, wow!” – and not necessarily in a good way.
It’s not always a look you’d comfortably sport while out shopping or on a date. And that’s because, unlike everyday makeup, stage makeup is bold, loud, and thick (for lack of a better word).
“Stage makeup is more dramatic, pigmented and exaggerated to ensure it is visible with the harsh lighting and audience,” explains Tammy Hardy during an interview with Bored Panda, when we ask her to explain the difference between stage makeup and “normal” makeup.
“It is also an important part of the character, defining the personality and role the actor/actress is portraying,” adds Hardy, an experienced make-up artist and owner of The Make-Up Touch agency.
#2 Tell Me About It
Image source: DR. CHAZ
#3 Literally (I’m The Bald One)
Image source: leah
“The basic concept behind natural makeup is to enhance a person’s natural features and even out skin tone in a way that looks like they’re not wearing much (if any) makeup at all. For street makeup, it’s all about light, subtle application,” explains celebrity makeup artist, Scott Barnes. “Natural stage makeup first neutralizes issues, then enhances features enough to be visible to the camera or viewer.”
While it may look over-the-top up-close, the intensity is often barely noticeable to the audience. There’s a reason people go all out when it comes to applying makeup for theater or stage…
#4 Embrace It
Image source: can.o.zo
#5 Real
Image source: k
#6 Tell Me Abt It
Image source: lala📼🪱
One reason for big and bold stage makeup is because of the distance between the performer and the audience. Being so far apart means that your facial features, and therefore the emotions on your face, are difficult to see – unless you enhance your features with makeup.
“It needs to be dramatic in order to stand out from a distance, allowing all audience members in the theatre to see the character’s makeup clearly,” says Hardy, adding that lighting also plays a part in stage makeup application.
“It is more bold, exaggerated and thick due to the harsh stage lights that flatten the makeup and drain color,” Hardy tells us. “Certain color lighting effects are also factored in to determine what colors the makeup needs to be.”
#7 Say Less
Image source: 𝓛. 💕
#8
Image source: supersecretfinnaccount
#9 Grandma In Addams Family
Image source: Mia
The experts over at JAM Cosmetics agree.
“Stage lighting can really ‘flatten’ your face and take away all of the dimensions that help the audience see your expression clearly,” they say. “Emoting is a huge part of any performance, so improper makeup can really diminish in the audience’s experience.”
Another reason stage makeup is much heavier than everyday makeup is because being under bright, intense lights can make you sweat. And the last thing you need is for your face to be ruined mid-show, or for your eyes to start burning and tearing if sweaty makeup gets into them.
#10 Tell Me About It
Image source: byrgertjelianneeeee
#11 My Makeup For Macbeth
Image source: iwill.nene_papayou
#12 Girl I Know
Image source: tesyrao.2
“The makeup needs to be durable so will be applied thicker to withstand heat as it gets very hot under stage lights, sweat, movement and long performances,” Hardy tells Bored Panda.
“Most street makeup brands are not sweat-resistant, meaning you are almost guaranteed to have a mess of makeup when [you are] finished your performance,” JAM’s team adds.
#13 Had To Go Into A Store Looking Like This
Image source: hannah.clyne
#14 Guys Mmm
Image source: ferrnwasheree.idk
#15 Sometimes It’s Just Like That
Image source: Princey
We’re curious to know whether the same principles apply to makeup for film and television, so we ask Hardy.
“TV makeup is high coverage and anti-shine to also factor in strong lighting, but the makeup technique is more refined,” she replies. “The features will be less dramatic and exaggerated. Almost everything is shot in HD so the type of makeup product will also be finer/smaller particle size and the skin texture needs to be smooth, thin and natural looking.”
#16 Tell Me About It
Image source: zayianadundaughted
#17 I Get It Queen
Image source: ¡Kaiya¡
#18 Likeee
Image source: kiara
If your production is running for a few nights, don’t forget about continuity. You wouldn’t want to look different from one show to the next.
“Create a face chart documenting exactly what your makeup will look like,” suggests Hardy. “Work directly from the face chart and take photos from every angle once you have finished your makeup. Also good idea to take a video to reference.”
#19 Tell Me About It…
Image source: andrew_grothman
#20 Tell Me About It Gurl
Image source: The_OG_NLab
#21 It’s Funny Tho
Image source: moony
#22 Do You Guys Think I Need More Blush
Image source: Darrien :3
#23 *sigh*
Image source: bbie!!
#24 Tell Me About It… (The Addams Family) This Was A Dress Rehearsal So Makeup Was Done By The Juniors So They Could Practice
Image source: Anna
#25
Image source: anna bar.
#26
Image source: athoobydoobybear
#27 Literally
Image source: InCADENCEnt
#28 This Is The 3rd Night. The Other 2 Nights We Used Orange And It Stained My Face
Image source: Finn
#29 I Miss Stage Makeup
Image source: sammy_and_remi_
#30 Tell Me About It
Image source: zeddathen
#31 Oh The Struggle Is Real
Image source: raiisdead
#32 Gotta Trust The Process
Image source: brinsleyfanpage
#33 Tell Me Abt It
Image source: rui
#34 Trust I Know
Image source: *✮˚♪ cིྀeceོ✪∘⚡︎܀✧
#35 What Could Possibly Be The Reason
Image source: livy
#36 I Was Giving IKEA
Image source: V
#37 I Understand
Image source: hana.bananana_
#38 Oh Girl Ik…
Image source: ethanolsquirt
#39 This One’s A Bit Crazier Tho, Actual Glitter Stuck On My Lips
Image source: Jenthe ×͜×
#40 My Stage Makeup On My Last Show
Image source: Sarah
#41 2013 College Productions Hit Different
Image source: Lily
#42 Real But An Old Lady Did It For U
Image source: ▄︻デkαsíα (lօíժ բօɾցҽɾ?)══━一
#43 Girl Same
Image source: caydee ୨ৎ
#44 That’s A Bit Too Real:
Image source: alexia
#45 Guess The Show
Image source: Lily
#46 Who Wrote This
Image source: Fries
#47 Girl Idk
Image source: ._________________.
#48 My School Play In 2023
Image source: Jess(Strictly’s version)
#49 Girl Me Too (My Skin Was Screaming For Days After My Show)
Image source: 🤡🤡
#50 Tell Me About It
Image source: mari
#51 Tell Me About It
Image source: 🔆 🌀.𖥔𝓚𝒽𝓁ℴ𝓴𝒽𝓁ℴ𖥔.🔆 🌀
#52 Brotha Ew
Image source: thebest_redhead0
#53 From Addams Family
Image source: Ellaaaa
#54 Walked Around Toronto Like This With My Hair In Tiny Rollers For 3 Weeks
Image source: cllaremacslay
#55 It Was Never Enough Blush For Mr Krabs
Image source: evelynanneh
#56 Freshman Me Was Traumatised
Image source: matty_47
#57 Don’t Get Me Started
Image source: literally luz noceda
#58 Tell Me About It
Image source: JayCee
#59 Right?
Image source: ⌖ ᏋᏒᎥᏋ ִ ࣪𖤐
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