What do Make-up and Hair Designers need to include?

Candidates need to design the make-up and hair for the whole play.

Candidates create designs for all major characters, which must include any changes to situations or status. Generic designs are suitable for minor characters. The number of designs cannot be prescribed, as characters within a play could vary.

Before their presentation, candidates apply one full make-up and hair application to a model on the day of the assessment. Candidates present this full make-up and hair application to the visiting assessor and explain the techniques used, describe the products used and the effect they wished to achieve.

Make-up and hair candidates are expected to use theatrical make-up. They must have carried out a patch test at least 24 hours before application to determine if the model is allergic to the products. For hygiene purposes, lipstick and mascara must be applied with disposable applicators or the model’s own can be used.

Theatrical make-up can be supplemented with cosmetic make-up when a candidate wishes to achieve a particular effect and they have taken into account the performance space and lighting conditions they are designing for.