Makeup Tip Sheet for Performing on Television
Basically if your skin tone is very light – light, you will need to use a foundation or powder that is 1- 1 1/2 shades darker. I suggest an easy dual finish powder (foundation in powder form used wet or dry) like Palladio wet/dry rice foundation, $9.99 at Sally’s beauty supply, or the Ulta stores citywide. You can purchase any brand of course from inexpensive like Cover Girl to expensive MAC or Lancôme, at the department store.
If your skin tone is medium to dark, you will probably need some translucent (no color) pressed powder or facial blotters. Facial oil blotters are found at beauty supply stores like Ulta, mass retail stores, i.e. Walgreen’s or Rite Aid, Sephora and the department store. They are thin sheets of paper usually 2 x 3 inches and are pressed to the forehead, nose and chin area to blot up the oil and perspiration from the skin.
If you do perspire quite a bit or get shiny during performance, you might consider using a Matte gel or lotion that is sold at many mass retail stores as well as Mary Kay and MAC cosmetics store. The gel or lotion is applied with the fingers and once applied helps the skin stay matte longer. Men, be careful of using tissue to wipe your face. It can shed on your beard line. Use a cotton handkerchief or chamois instead.
Bronzer (matte powder) is great for men, applied with a large brush. Or go to the tanning salons and tan a bit for a healthy glow.
Lipstick (for women): don’t use anything with too much orange or blue in it.
Use baby wipes or facial wipes to remove your makeup at the end of the performance.
That’s the “short” of what to do … now if you’d like to take your makeup further, read on.
What we are after is a finished natural make-up. If you understand the use of brushes, and sponges and work on application technique with lighting and camera, this will be good for production use. You should use a professional makeup artist for photos and promotional material.
Face Makeup: Apply foundation with a sponge, finger, or brush, you can use liquid, cream, cream to powder, cream sticks, or dual finish powder.
Concealer: for dark circles or blemishes (use a brush or fingertip) (concealer comes in different textures. Use a thinner consistancy for undereyes and layer for converage to avoid aging the eye area with too thick coverage. For blemishes, red or brown spots use a thicker, dryer consistancy like Laura Mercier Secret Camuflage or CoverBlend with a taping motion using a brush, pencil, or finger. Powder to set.
Blush: keep it soft and well blended in natural tones. You can use cream with your finger, or compact powder blush with a brush.
Bronzer: Great for men to use with a large brush all over the face wherever the sun would hit. Be sure the bronzer doesn’t have shimmer or glitter in its ingredients. You are looking for Matte. (MAC cosmetics has a nice one)
Eyes: Remember less is best and if you are at all puffy, don’t use frosted eye shadow!
Mascara: (if your eyes tend to tear use waterproof and purchase a waterproof mascara remover)
Eye shadows can be used as liner and brushed across lid close to lash line either wet or dry. If dry watch for dust falling under eye causing darkness. Pencils sometimes are easier. Just stroke on and blend with your finger or a small round liner brush. Rarely do you want an actual line on the lower lashes but more of a smudge.
Lips: Use a lip liner to help prevent lipstick running up into creases. Better still try some of the new **long wearing 8 hour lip paints like Max Factor Lipfinity, MAC, Almay or Cover Girl Outlast lipsticks. Paint it on, let dry for 60 seconds, and then just carry the accompanying moisture/shine stick with you.
Lip liners should be used to prevent lipstick from bleeding into the small lines around the lips.
Facial Oil Blotters: Press the blotters onto the forehead, nose and chin areas to absorb oil. Use papers on both sides. Use just before going on camera before powdering or instead of powder.
**With 8 hour long lasting lipstick, use either a petrolium based product like vasaline, or Max Factor or Cover Girl cleanser for long wearing makeup.
Davida consults for CBS News 4 Denver, and consulted for WB2 morning and evening news.
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