Make-up for Performers

Over the past couple of months I've been working on my Make-up for Performers assignment.  This assignment consisted of three different looks, an aging look,

a gender reversal look,

and a look that I came up with myself which was a creepy doll look.

On top of these three looks I also had to prepare for the Warrington Wolves Bennie Westwood Testimonial Pantomime, which was Cinderella. My main character in this was Tuck, one of the Duke's Henchmen. Although I was only supposed to have one main character, the Camp Slaves, and the villagers, I ended up doing two mains, Tuck and Archie (Archie was the Duke's nephew), as well as the Camp Slaves, and villagers. I really enjoyed this assignment as I got to work on multiple people doing various different looks. Whilst the pantomime was taking place and I wasn’t required for touch-ups I got a chance to watch parts of it and see how my make-ups looked on stage. I was really impressed with how well they came out as I wasn’t sure that I’d applied the make-up dark enough for theatrical use.

Sawn Off Finger

Today I recreated a sawn off finger look.

 

 

To create the sawn off finger I followed these steps:
1 – Tone the finger to help the wax stick to it.
2 – Choose a finger that you wish to be the sawn off one and bend it at the knuckle – remember to pick a finger that is comfortable to keep bent for a period of time.
3 – Using a wooden spatula get a blob of Nose and Scar Wax out and put it onto the knuckle joint anchoring it down with the spatula.
4 – Add a layer of translucent powder to the wax to seal it, ensuring that the wax has no sticky areas.
5 – Using the end of a brush dab the wax on the knuckle multiple times to give it a rough look.
6 – Add another layer of translucent powder to seal it again.
7 – Get a little blue from the bruise wheel and add it to the rough area. This will begin to add depth to the wound. Whilst adding blue to the wound, add a little down the finger too to give it a bruised look.
8 – Add a little Wound Filler to the knuckle of the wound, this will add to the rough look and add some more depth to it.
9 – Apply Fresh Scratch over the wound filler and a little down the finger (but not as far down as the blue bruising) – this will make the wound look fresh.
10 – Add red Bruise Gel around the wound to add a fresher look (you could also add a little over the fresh scratch, but this is optional)
11 – The final step is to add Charles Fox Arterial Blood to the end of the wound and allow to drip down the finger.

18th Century Dame - Theatrical

Today in college we researched the 18th Century, how they lived, social class, and what hair and make-up would have been like.
We then had to create an 18th Century Dame look.

To achieve this look I first had to cover the eyebrows. To do this I added a thin layer of petroleum jelly over the eyebrows, then using Ben Nye Nose and Scar Wax (anchoring it down to the skin around the eyebrow) I removed the eyebrows.

I then applyied a layer of Graftobian's Translucent Powder over the eyebrows to remove any tackiness from the wax.

Next, using a sponge, I applied a layer of Mehron's Clown White until my models face was as white as I required it.

I then applied another layer of Graftobian's Translucent Powder to set the Clown White.

Using Ben Nye Media Pro HD Eye Definer Gel, I then redrew eyebrows on the model in a high arch shape.

Next I applied a pink blusher to the cheeks in a circle and blended out. For this I used DDR-75 Nectarine from my Ben Nye Pressed Powder Palette.

I then applied red to the lips in a heart-like shape, exaggerating the Cupid’s bow. I used shade RLS-33 Marilyn Red from my Ben Nye Lip Colour Palette, and applied it with Ben Nye brush FDB-71.

Then using the Ben Nye Media Pro HD Eye Definer Gel again, I drew on a beauty spot above the lips.

Lastly I backcombed the hair into a quiff and pinned two curls to the side in an 18^th Century style.

In order to improve this look further I could have also added patches of fabric in different shapes to the face. In the 18^th Century these were useful for covering up scars or skin disorders and infections such as small pox. They were also used for social reasons to show who was married, gay, etc.

Make-up artistry is a very competitive industry to get into.

Since September 2012 I have been training to become a fully qualified make-up artist and loving every minute. Over the past few months I've gained so much valuable work experience that just wouldn't be possible without my tutors. This experience has enabled me to improve on my make-up skills in all areas, from fashion and editorial, to theatre and special effects.

Over the next few months I will be using this blog to show how my skills are further improving, my inspirations, and reviews on products.