Hickory's
Tips of the Week

Makeup

How to Apply Makeup

After putting on make-up, powdering, setting, then spritzing & patting, 
use HAIR SPRAY to spray your NECK to keep your make-up off the 
costume. I learned this from another clown recently, and thought I'd 
pass it on for those who haven't tried it. 

To remove make-up. I take mine off w/baby wipes AND baby oil. Super fast 
and skin conditioning at the same time.

One of the hardest things for new clowns is learning how to apply makeup. I strongly urge new clowns to attend a clown convention or work with an experienced clown. When it comes to makeup there is no better way to get the fundamentals then through a teacher. The best way to get good at applying makeup is through practice. Everybody does their makeup a little bit different so I can only tell you how I do it.

1) Start with a clean face, making sure there is no excess oil, soap, street makeup, sweat salt or anything else on your face. I also shave the top of my head and shape my beard and mouth.

2) Some people then apply a very small amount of baby oil which they say aids in removing the makeup later. I don't use anything.

3) I then outline my rainbow with a grease paint pencil. Because of the Red, Yellow and Blue paints, I don't paint these on my foundation - I often have to wipe it off and start over.

4) After outlining my rainbow, I then paint it on.

5) After that I do the white clouds and my eyes.

6) I then apply the Auguste foundation to the top of my head, face, ears and my entire neck. I finger paint the "big" areas and blend the area around my eyes. Then I use a brush to get in close to my rainbow and eyes.

7) I then powder, using Johnson's Baby Powder - talc only, no cornstarch. I use a powder puff. Because so many different colors are wet it is critical that I do not smear, so I place the powder puff where I want it, then pull straight away.

8) I then take a camel hair brush and brush off all of the powder.

9) Then I do a fine spray "spritz" to remove any residual powder.

10) I then use a fine brush to do my eyebrows.

11) Then my mouth.

12) Power as above, only doing those areas I painted.

13) Then I do a full fledged drenching spritz. This is the fun part and this is when I really start to feel like a clown.

14) I then blend in some dry rouge on my cheeks, apply the nose and I'm on my way.

On a good day this takes a little over an hour, on a bad day closer to 2 hours.

As I said, everybody applies makeup a little differently. If you would like to share how you apply makeup, please e-mail me at hickory@webclowns.com

If your character wears a nose ( as opposed to a painted one ) purchase a spare !! You NEVER know what might happen to your original and it could take some time to order another, costing you business

Thank you BUNGLES THE CLOWN - As a novice clown I became over-zealous cleaning my nose after a show, leaving it in pieces. It took me several days before I could replace it via mail order. A lesson to be learned. "Hickory"

A tip for novice clowns using hollow noses...(I use ProKnows noses now). Put some tissue INSIDE the nose before attaching to your face ...that way when you look up, the sweat inside will not run down your face! Coomon sense, huh? Yes, but I've never seen it written ANYWHERE!

Thank you Gingernutt the Clown

Makeup Tip:

On cold mornings grease paint is tough to work with. I've found that placing the canister in my armpit does a very good job of warming it up in a short period of time. You can also open the top and breathing warm breaths on the surface. You can also spread some on the palm of your hand. This will bring it to body temperature.

Also, if your paint is a little too think - or "gloppy" - mix a drop of baby oil on the surface. This will make the paint easier to brush on. Don't use too much or the paint will be too thin.

Sent via Guest Book: Many clowns have problems with losing the makeup from the mouth area. Prior to applying the red greasepaint, apply a good lip-liner to the entire lip, and then apply the greasepaint over the lip-liner and powder as usual. Be sure the lips are dry when the lip-liner is applied, and don't lick the lips between the liner and greasepaint. This is a trick used by professional models, and it really helps the color on the lips to last longer. If your clown's lips are black, you can use a black liner pencil.

Thank you LINNY & MO PRODUCTIONS - One woman - 4 Clowns

A Makeup Tip for the Auguste

To cut down a little on makeup on the collars, blend down the flesh. Put it about half way down the neck and simply blend downward. If you blend correctly you will not notice the transition from base makeup to skin. You will still get a little makeup on your collar but not as much. Your whole neck is covered, just not as heavy around the collar.

Thank You SPAZZ, a youthful clown with experience beyond his years

More ideas for Makeup on the Collar

Another idea for reducing and/or totally eliminating makeup getting on the collar or neckline of your clown's clothing, for any type of clown, is to wear a turtleneck top as an undershirt under the costume. MO is whiteface and wears a white turtleneck top, from which I cut the sleeves, under her clothing. I also keep a long sleeved turtleneck top to wear when working outside in cool weather. The turtleneck top can match your makeup color, or coordinate with your costume. I suggest white or a pastel for whiteface's because the white that rubs off onto the turtleneck is visible on a dark color. Mock turtleneck tops don't work quite as well. If you don't want to wear a full turtleneck top, a lightweight turtleneck dickey can serve the same purpose.

MO

Some Makeup Tips from Pricilla Mooseburger

To make sharpening soft make-up pencils easier, try keeping them in the freezer!

Dry rouge in red or bright pink is a terrific way to add color with out all the trouble of blending wet make-up. Apply after you have set your make-up with powder.

Prepare your skin before applying make-up. Always start with a clean face. Dry skin may need a mousturizer. Oily skin will benefit by wiping it down with witch hazel on a cotton pad.

Visit Pricilla Mooseburger Originals Home Page

More Makeup Tips from Pricilla Mooseburger

Be sure to pat out any creases in your make-up right before you powder. A sponge applicator can assist in getting make-up into loose folds of skin.

Be sure you take off your make-up corretly! Try professional make-up removers such as liquid or cream based and massage gently. Use Soft Baby wipes for clean up. Paper towels can be rough on delicate skin around your eyes.

Visit Pricilla Mooseburger Originals Home Page

A Tip To Keep Your Lips

To keep makeup from rubbing off your lips: After applying the red greasepaint, powder them with Johnson's Baby Powder (and NOTHING else... nothing even close to compares to Johnson's...) Rub it in lightly with your ring finger, lightly powder again, then wet your lips with your tongue. Then DON'T eat anything with an oily base, such as hamburgers, hot dogs, etc. I've worn my makeup for more than 10 hours without having to redo lips or anything and it still looked great... even in hot weather.

Thank you Go-Go the Clown for submitting this great tip to Soda Pop's fabulous newsletter!