From Onstage to Offstage

This year marks my tenth year as a performing artist... throughout the past ten years the stage has literally been my artistic playground. I love absolutely everything that has to do with performing onstage--- from learning my music, going through my blocking, memorizing my lines, working out costume plots to putting my own make-up. Those who know me really well will be the first to tell you that i'm not the "girliest" of girls, but if there's one "girly" thing i've grown to love because of the line of work i'm in it's make-up. :)

There have been some productions i've been part of where all we needed to do was show up during our call time and not worry bout having to "fix our own faces"... when there are make-up sponsors who send their products and make-up artists to join us backstage and help prep us for our shows. Unfortunately, this isn't always the case as not all productions have make-up sponsors or if they do, sometimes the cast is just too big that there's not enough time for everyone to queue and get the chance to be primped by the make-up artists before a show. So, I guess you can say that because of need and sheer survival in my field I had no choice but to instantly fall in love make-up and learn how to put it on my face... properly! :)

Here are some basic "onstage" make-up tips i've picked up through the years which i'm pretty sure will be of use to anyone "offstage" as well. If you want to get more beginner to pro tips, check out the book BOBBI BROWN Make-Up Manual. Enjoy! :)

SKIN CARE: Our face is a canvas and needs some prep work before we do the actual "painting" on it. Trust me, when you wear make up almost everyday and do a lot of retouching when you have two to three shows on the same day, you'll be thankful that you made that extra step before going straight to work on your face.

1) Hydrate: An all-time important first step. Wash your face. If you can, add this trusty item to your make-up kit, MAC's FIX PLUS which serves as an excellent hydrator.

2) Primer: This is something I highly recommend. It's not your typical moisturizer, it serves as the base for your face. It's one make-up product that's worth spending on. Those that i've tried that work well with me are SMASHBOX's PHOTOFINISH (has clear and tinted variants with spf that you can use without having to apply powder or foundation over) and MAC's STROBE CREAM (has a nice time released iridescent glow).

3) Lip Conditioner: This will serve as the primer/base for your lips, making your lips more supple. Your everyday CHAPSTICK or LIP BALM can do the trick. I you can, check out MAC's LIP CONDITIONER WITH SPF 15 (it already comes in different shades so you don't need to apply lipstick over).

BASE: What we all want to achieve, be it on or off stage, is soft and radiant looking skin. The best way to go is to use a foundation that'll give us medium to full coverage and also cover skin imperfections while remaining invisible onstage, on screen and in real life.

1) Foundation: This is one product that each person has to choose on their own depending on their skin type and skin tone. Most of us in theatre go for liquid foundations rather than using creams, cakes or powders right away. The liquid foundation seems to give the best coverage without showing lines or creases and looking blotchy. When applying this reach and blend from jaw line to the neck. Some popular ones in our circle are MAKE UP FOREVER's HD FOUNDATION and MAC's STUDIO FIX FLUID FOUNDATION WITH SPF 15 (spread using MAC's stipling brush which you can also use with your powder and blush). 

2) Concealer: I'm not too sure if there's such a thing but i'm still on my quest to find "the ultimate concealer". I have both deep and dark under eye circles cause of both my genetics and bad sleeping habits so this is one make-up product that I cannot live without!  When picking a liquid concealer (cream ones tend to crease faster, unless you find a soft/smooth kind) go for a lighter shade. Enhancing and highlighting certain areas more is also what a good concealer can do--- when applied under the eyes, T-zone and edges of lips, your nose and lips become more prominent. A lot of theatre people use concealers from CINEMA SECRETS and VOV. Another popular choice is MAC's SELECT COVER UP CONCEALER (spread using eyeshadow brush: look up, start at outer under corner of eye then blend/work inward)

3) Powder: When picking powder go for the one that gives you the most natural look--- smooth and not a powdery finish.There are a lot of mineralized powders out there that can do wonders for the skin as well. MAC's MINERALIZED SKIN FINISH NATURAL POWDER is a good buy.

* For basic face and highlighting use a light shade with a blush brush. 

Highlighting Tricks: 

highlight these areas: under eye, T-zone and edges of lip

* For shading and contouring use a medium shade with a contouring brush.

Shading Tricks: 

cheek bones (area: top ear tip to corner of mouth; start at temples going only half way of cheek),

round face (area: edge of hairline working downward)

round jaw (area: lower area of jaw)

nose line (dust  medium shade of powder on sides on the nose bridge working downward)

COLORS: This is where the fun begins! You can achieve all sorts of looks depending on what colors or palettes you have. Onstage, it's not much the "brand" of color you use but the "look or intensity of shades" you need for your character's look. Offstage, it's pretty much the same way--- do youant to go for a lighter shade for day use or a lighter shade for more depth in the evening. 

1) Loose Powder: Apply this around and under the eye area. It will serve as a base that can be brushed off after applying your eye color/s.

2) Colors: You can work with your regular color palette eyeshadows or with pigments, whichever you are more comfortable using. Generally, we work outward going inward, that is, deposit your palette/pigment color of choice on the outer side of the eye close to the tip of the lash line, blending and working your way inward and upward, usually dark, light to lightest shade.

* Eyeshadow Brush: synthetic...picks up and holds color for easy deposit onto lid. 

* Blending Brush: soft, round, fluffy... use circular motion for application.

LIPS & LASHES: 

Lips-- Your lips can make a statement all on their own depending on what you decide to do with them--- natural looking with lip gloss, soft kissable lips using nice pinkish shade or the 3D sexy lips look... that got your attention huh?! 

step 1: apply a base/mid tone all over your lips, 

step 2: apply a light tone on the mid part of your lips for that nice pout and 

step 3: apply a dark tone on the outer lip line working in. 

Lashes-- How do you get nice lashes???... using your trusty eyelash curler (SHU UEMURA is a winner!) squeeze counting 1-2-3-4 consecutively, hold for counts 1-2 then release. Repeat as needed then apply mascara from the innermost area of the lid going to the outer lid area near the edge.

BROWS & LINERS: 

Brows-- Next to having a flawless base one must have well groomed flawless brows. This is something I take time working on cause perfect brows make a whole lot of difference both on and off stage. Start in the inner area just in line with your eyes and follow the natural curve of your brow until you hit the point where it's time for your arc to taper down. Some popular brow products we use in theatre are MAKE UP FOREVER's WATERPROOF EYEBROW CORRECTOR and MAC's BROW SET and BROW FINISHER. 

Liners-- A good eyeliner can spell a whole lot of difference when it comes to adding intensity to one's eyes. The best one's i've tried are the ultra smooth gel formula  liners cause they give you the same precision of a liquid liner with longer lasting, silkier and softer finish. The best one's i've tried and used so far are BOBBI BROWN's LONG WEARING GEL EYE LINER and MAC's FLUIDLINE. --JJV


* Photos from: amazon.com, sephora.com, maccosmetics.com, rachaelsoap.com