How to Do Stage Makeup

Lights, camera, stage makeup! If you don’t already know about the importance of stage makeup, let us enlighten you. Stage makeup, as opposed to regular makeup, tends to be heavier and darker (but not cakey!) to make up for those bright stage lights that can often leave you looking washed out. Who wants to spend all that time perfecting their makeup look only to be left looking like everyone’s favorite friendly ghost? No thanks! Luckily, with the proper theater makeup tips, you won’t have to worry about your hard work going to waste. Below, we’re sharing everything you need to know about theatre makeup in a step-by-step tutorial on how to do stage makeup.

STEP #1: PRIME YOUR FACE

Makeup primer is a must for stage makeup and everyday makeup alike, though it can seem like a life or death necessity when it comes to theater makeup. There’s no time to reapply or fine-tune your look mid-show—meaning the guarantee that your look will stay put is all the more important. Start your look with a mattifying primer, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Makeup Lock Primer, to keep oil and shine at bay under the hot stage lights.

STEP #2: PERFECT YOUR COMPLEXION

Speaking of matte finishes, your best bet is to turn to a foundation with a matte finish for a flawless complexion. This will help keep that shine we mentioned earlier in check, which can be emphasized by the reflection caused by stage lighting. Apply the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation using the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Blend Artist Foundation Blender for a seamless complexion.

STEP #3: EMPHASIZE YOUR CHEEKBONES

Remember when we said stage lights tend to wash you out? To combat this, you’ll want to amp up your cheekbones just a little. Use a rosy toned blush to do so! Sweep the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Longwear Blush Shaping Sticks in Cheeky Dimension along the apples of your cheeks, then blend.

STEP #4: DEFINE YOUR EYES

After using an eye primer, it’s time to reach for eye shadow. Apply a matte eye shadow that’s one to two shades lighter than your skin tone beneath your brow bone and onto your lid. Then, use a dark brown matte hue to define your crease, blending the color out with a fluffy brush.

STEP #5: GRAB YOUR LINER

To create the illusion of thicker lashes, line your upper lash line with the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Liquid Eyeliner in Black, making sure to keep the line thin and close to your lash line for a more natural appearance.

STEP #6: COAT YOUR LASHES

Finish your eye makeup by applying a few coats of the L’Oréal Paris Unlimited Lash Lifting and Lengthening Waterproof Mascara Blackest Black. For lashes that really pop—so even people in the cheap seats can see—you can also wear false lashes.

STEP #7: FILL IN YOUR BROWS

When it comes to doing theater makeup, you’ll want to make sure you give each feature extra definition. Next on our list? Your eyebrows! Use the L’Oréal Paris Unbelievabrow Longwear Waterproof Brow Gel to fill in, define, and perfect their shape.

STEP #8: PAINT YOUR POUT

The last thing you want is for your mouth to be non-existent in the midst of saying lines! This is why it’s so important to properly color your lips. First, line your pout with the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Matte Lip Liner in Matte’s It. Then, fill in your lips with a long-lasting liquid lipstick, like the L’Oréal Paris Rouge Signature, Lasting Matte Liquid Lipstick in I Lead.

STEP #9: SET YOUR LOOK

Our final word of advice when it comes to applying stage makeup? Set your look! How do you set stage makeup? Well, allow us to introduce you to translucent powder. Sweep the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Sweep & Lock Loose Setting Face Powder over your face to lock in makeup and control shine all day. The micro-fine loose powder formula blurs lines and pores for a smooth finish, leaving you with a soft-focus, matte effect as it sets your makeup.

Next: How to Glue Down Eyebrows