Stage Makeup
Stage makeup requires a few basic types of makeup and tools. An actor needs the following:
Creme foundation
Shadow
High light
Creme or powder blush
Natural shade of lipstick
Setting Powder
Makeup sponge
Makeup wipe
Ben Nye or Mehron are the industry standards for affordable stage makeup.
Special Effects
Special effects makeup can range from blisters and burns to old age effects. Typically, for blisters, burns and bruises, the makeup needed comes down to color. Ben Nye sells both bruise and burn wheels that include all shades needed to create your desired effects. As you get more proficient at application, you can add liquid latex to make the injuries more realistic.
Old age makeup is merely a series of shadows and highlight applied to different shapes of the face to create a desired aging effect.
The heavier and harder the edges of the makeup, the more visible the effects will be in a large venue.
In theater, the rule is more is best!
Before bruise wheel application
After bruise wheel application
In this series of photos, students experimented with creating brusies, cuts and old age effects.
Pro tip: Always apply your foundation as a base before any special effects application.