Did you know Stage Makeup has been a part of theatrical productions for over three thousand years, maybe more?

The Greek plays used kohl, berries and white pastes to accentuate facial expressions. Ancient Chinese and other Asian cultures did the same.  The white faces of the Geishas originally was theater makeup because one of their duties was to entertain guests with song, dance and stories. Makeup has been more a part of acting than lights, action or camera- perhaps even costumes.

Originally, the actors were responsible for applying their own Stage Makeup. That was why they needed those bright bulbs around their dressing table mirror. The lights imitated the theatre lights.  Strong lights call for strong makeup.  That made sense, because many acts were traveling from city to city. Having a make up artist traveling with the troupe was an extra expense, especially for smaller scale productions.

Then along came the silver screen and the makeup possibilities became endless. Fantasy behind a camera is more believable than on stage. It is also more time consuming. Filming was done over weeks and months. Often times the days were long. The actors wore their makeup for hours on end. The foundations used in early Movies’ makeup often contained chemicals that were a horrible irritant. In the 1930’s movie The Wizard of OZ, the original Tin Man , an actor named Buddy Epson later famed for being Jed Clampet in The Beverly Hillbillies, had to quit because the silver makeup made him break out in an allergic rash.

Stage makeup today is used for TV and movie sets as well.  The famous makeup artists you see rolling by in the credits are responsible for not only making someone  famous look great, but also older as time goes by, (or younger in fantasy films about time travel). They make “realistic” aliens in Sci-Fi films and even animals look good.  TV cameras and lights have a tendency to wash out the face, so even men celebs use  a little foundation application and eye shadow. Darker skin tones, even lipstick is used. If it wasn’t even the guys would look like paste-faced clowns.

Celebrity makeup tricks usually begin with the learning how to makeup theatrical characters. They learn how to accentuate their eyes, make bags and wrinkles diminish, etc.  From their experiences with stage makeup, many go into producing their own line of cosmetics and skin products. Tips from the stars make it into beauty magazines and websites.  Everyone benefits from tried and true Stage Makeup tips. One is the use of moisturizers before foundation is applied. Another that came form the stage set is the use of fine powder to set the makeup, even on the eyes.  Mascara and eyeliners were once only used on stage. Now they are common place.

There is one thing often found in stage makeup kits that you won’t find in the average bathroom or dressing table. It is wax. Wax is used to make noses and other facial features more prominent.  It can be used to create scars, chins, big ears and to stick on bushy eyebrows and mustaches.  False waxed teeth can change the shape of the mouth, as can waxed lip liners.

Makeup artists have their work cut out for them.  It really is an art.

Stage Makeup has so advanced in recent years, that people on the front row of theaters don’t notice that it is “fakish” anymore. Better techniques and prosthetic’s make the actors seem more normal.  The trick is to make the actors look the same day in and day out, whether on stage, Movie or sitcom. Applying all that wax and makeup takes patience, for the artist and the actor. It is not uncommon for characters to spend three or four hours in the makeup chair each shoot. AND that is before they begin work on the hairdo!