Thread: Eye makeup up for performance

I'm performing in a student showcase in June. I have a good idea my costume will be purple & my veil is purple & lime green. need ideas for eyemake. keep in mind my eyes are very hooded. i like glitter would love to work some glitter into my eyemake up as well.

I highly recommend Eye Kandy ~ Eye and Body Glitter. I never perform without it!

The golden rule for performance makeup- if you look in the mirror and don't think to yourself "OMG I look like a drag queen!" then you haven't got enough on.

For eye makeup, you need glitter that is *safe* and designed for the purpose. Not general body glitter. Eye Kandy is a very good recommendation.

I have deep set eyes too, and I've found that it's important for me to pluck my eyebrows well, so that I've got a bigger "canvas" for my makeup. I like to use a strong bright colour (I'm currently digging chartreuse, or emerald green having avoided greens for years) on the lid itself, and about half way up towards the brow, then blending a darker colour, a blue or black, in the socket line, from about half way across the eye out in a sweep, trying to keep as much of the lid colour showing as possible. Then a highlight (white, gold or silver) on the top of the browbone. Eye liner that sweeps out (though I'm not brave enough to do it Amy Winehouse style!) again trying to make sure I don't cover up too much of the colour on the lid, and a sparkly gel liner to put glitter in the inner corner of the eyelid, to open the eyes out a bit.

Plenty of mascara & fake eyelashes if you can bear them.

Volume 2!

Originally Posted by beafarhana

The golden rule for performance makeup- if you look in the mirror and don't think to yourself "OMG I look like a drag queen!" then you haven't got enough on.

For eye makeup, you need glitter that is *safe* and designed for the purpose. Not general body glitter. Eye Kandy is a very good recommendation.

I have deep set eyes too, and I've found that it's important for me to pluck my eyebrows well, so that I've got a bigger "canvas" for my makeup. I like to use a strong bright colour (I'm currently digging chartreuse, or emerald green having avoided greens for years) on the lid itself, and about half way up towards the brow, then blending a darker colour, a blue or black, in the socket line, from about half way across the eye out in a sweep, trying to keep as much of the lid colour showing as possible. Then a highlight (white, gold or silver) on the top of the browbone. Eye liner that sweeps out (though I'm not brave enough to do it Amy Winehouse style!) again trying to make sure I don't cover up too much of the colour on the lid, and a sparkly gel liner to put glitter in the inner corner of the eyelid, to open the eyes out a bit.

Plenty of mascara & fake eyelashes if you can bear them.

key must look like drag queen got it that makes sense actually. does that still apply in a student showcase?

does that still apply in a student showcase?

Yes. It always applies.

OK, it applies most if you are dancing on a big stage. It applies if you are being artificially lit in a stagey sort of way. It applies at a RuPaul level at up-close restaurant/party gigs, ie you want to blend well and apply very nicely. But I've seen makeup that looks like a five year old attacked the dancer with crayons in person and up close, that is stunning on stage.

Originally Posted by zumarrad

But I've seen makeup that looks like a five year old attacked the dancer with crayons in person and up close, that is stunning on stage.

..l;,..l;,..l;, Best description ever!!!

I studied up with MAC and Azhia for help with this but some of the things I swear by now are:

Colored liner always , black over it optional but never alone (makes me look harsh and unhappy)

Clean/ moisten/ prime/foundation/ pat concealer any place that looks like unwanted shadows/ spray set/ light powder but not in the creases near the eyes.

Apply eyelashes that feel ok to you, I found that the MAC #1's are thick but not so long that I feel like I am wapping myself in the eyelids every blink but be sure to curl and mascara your own first or it will be a fight.

Use glitter but not in liners and always fan it so it doesn't come off like a blotch (I found a body mist that is "shimmer" that is really subtle and just makes my body look less white that I also like)

I like to use two basic color schemes that contrast but complement like purple eyeliner medium and deep colors of eyeshadow with a light apricot or gold with a light version for the highlight but I have brown eyes so choose your own.

When you think your done stand way back , blur your eyes and make sure the look is balanced and interesting, then correct as needed. Most people will look at you but not straight on especially if in a group or in a restaurant.
Hope you have lots of fun!, Aunna

Originally Posted by zumarrad

Yes. It always applies.

OK, it applies most if you are dancing on a big stage. It applies if you are being artificially lit in a stagey sort of way. It applies at a RuPaul level at up-close restaurant/party gigs, ie you want to blend well and apply very nicely. But I've seen makeup that looks like a five year old attacked the dancer with crayons in person and up close, that is stunning on stage.

my understanding is we are dancing in a hotel banquet room. there won't be a stage, but we will be up close to ppl so that falls into the RuPaul (who i love btw) level at up-close restaurant/party gigs....lol

I watched a 10 part video series on You Tube about Tribal makeup and costuming (I believe it was done by BDSS). Parts 1 and 2 are just about makeup and though it seemed very detailed and a little over the top (do I REALLY need three shades of blush?) the discussion of why they were doing everything was terribly enlightening. The tutorial is specifically for stage makeup.

Yesterday in Ulta the Urban Decay sales lady indicated that slightly darker foundation on stage might be a good idea to keep from looking washed out... good point!

Yes, if you don't look at yourself and think "Priscilla Queen of the Desert" then there isn't enough for stage (or the field for those of us who were in drill team, ah the memories.)

Greens and purples go together! Check out Lauren Luke's YouTube channel for some great funky makeup ideas - she does great eye makeup combos. She also has an excellent tutorial on foundation and concealer application. I tried her foundation app technique and got awesome results the very first try. She uses a bunch of MAC but says you can substitute the 120 Pro Palette or similar (I just ordered the 88 Shimmer Palette from Coastal Scents) if you like. The Pro Palettes and Coastal Scents palettes have gotten generally very good reviews.

Both Lauren Luke and the Tribal Tutorial use quite a bit of glitter.

If you are performing in a restaurant/lounge/etc, tone it down to heavier but not drag queen.

Light on the upper eyelid will help make your eyes look bigger. Also try putting a very light color on the inside of your eye, next to your nose - used often in over the top Arabic makeup looks (ie bridal makeup, etc.)

Good luck!

What is "spray set " before the powder----i got it all except for that.

Originally Posted by Fahimi

I watched a 10 part video series on You Tube about Tribal makeup and costuming (I believe it was done by BDSS). Parts 1 and 2 are just about makeup and though it seemed very detailed and a little over the top (do I REALLY need three shades of blush?) the discussion of why they were doing everything was terribly enlightening. The tutorial is specifically for stage makeup.

Yesterday in Ulta the Urban Decay sales lady indicated that slightly darker foundation on stage might be a good idea to keep from looking washed out... good point!

Yes, if you don't look at yourself and think "Priscilla Queen of the Desert" then there isn't enough for stage (or the field for those of us who were in drill team, ah the memories.)

Greens and purples go together! Check out Lauren Luke's YouTube channel for some great funky makeup ideas - she does great eye makeup combos. She also has an excellent tutorial on foundation and concealer application. I tried her foundation app technique and got awesome results the very first try. She uses a bunch of MAC but says you can substitute the 120 Pro Palette or similar (I just ordered the 88 Shimmer Palette from Coastal Scents) if you like. The Pro Palettes and Coastal Scents palettes have gotten generally very good reviews.

Both Lauren Luke and the Tribal Tutorial use quite a bit of glitter.

If you are performing in a restaurant/lounge/etc, tone it down to heavier but not drag queen.

Light on the upper eyelid will help make your eyes look bigger. Also try putting a very light color on the inside of your eye, next to your nose - used often in over the top Arabic makeup looks (ie bridal makeup, etc.)

Good luck!

wow so much info thanks i'll have to take some time & go through it all.

my only issue is i'm allergric to makeup so i do have to be careful.

Originally Posted by zumarrad

Yes. It always applies.

OK, it applies most if you are dancing on a big stage. It applies if you are being artificially lit in a stagey sort of way. It applies at a RuPaul level at up-close restaurant/party gigs, ie you want to blend well and apply very nicely. But I've seen makeup that looks like a five year old attacked the dancer with crayons in person and up close, that is stunning on stage.

http://www.bhuz.com/forum/images/smilies/laughs.gif I love the way you put that!!!

my only issue is i'm allergric to makeup so i do have to be careful.

I think Coastal Scents lists their ingredients online. Several Urban Decay products are vegan - dunno if that helps though.

Glad to be of help! :-)

Originally Posted by GypsyStacey

key must look like drag queen got it that makes sense actually. does that still apply in a student showcase?

Lots of good advice so far. Stage makeup can be hard to get used to, especially if you do a more natural look in real life. I use the "drag queen" rule of thumb. A trick that I have to make sure I'm wearing enough is that I do my makeup, putting on what looks to be like too much.

Then I walk away from the mirror and do something else for about 5 to 10 minutes (make sure I have everything packed for the gig, get a drink of water, whatever). Then I go back to the mirror and put on a lot more, especially going back over the cheeks and eyes.

Ben Nye I believe is where I got the "spray set" , it is a makeup fixative spray that keeps it in place under hot lights or sweating. I use it lightly because it can feel sticky if thick but really can help your makeup from melting or smudging. Sorry I wasn't super clear the first time but hopes this helps.

Originally Posted by rachelw

Lots of good advice so far. Stage makeup can be hard to get used to, especially if you do a more natural look in real life. I use the "drag queen" rule of thumb. A trick that I have to make sure I'm wearing enough is that I do my makeup, putting on what looks to be like too much.

Then I walk away from the mirror and do something else for about 5 to 10 minutes (make sure I have everything packed for the gig, get a drink of water, whatever). Then I go back to the mirror and put on a lot more, especially going back over the cheeks and eyes.

I can't remember whether I heard this story here or elsewhere, but somebody told a great one about advice from a drag queen about putting on false lashes... to paraphrase: Honey, you bend the heck out of that eyelash and you put a little glue on it. Now leave the room, go fix yourself a martini, and drink it while you organize what you plan to wear that night. Go back and put one false eyelash on. Bend the heck out of the second one and put glue on it. Go away, fix yourself another martini, and drink it while you check your stockings for runs and your clothes for loose hooks. Now go back and put the second lash on, and you can get ready.

It's hard to get used to make-up, I only recently started using and I'm in a real toddler-stage. My eyes are how was the word?? like you described yours , so: white on the lids, yes, pluck eyebrows and white again on the brow-bone. To place the dark tone shade well - this is the most difficult thing for me yet - I'm getting there,r:;

eyeliner: I use a very dark grey, not black, my eyes are blue, not huge, my skin is white so hard black really doesn't look nice on me.

-yes to false eyelashes (cheap can be good, too, but there are stupid glues and better glues)
-I used to hate the idea of blush but once I use foundation I must use a bit of blush, colour depending on the costume if not I look like a corpse (and on that avatar I would have needed more, at least for the light in that wardrobe). If you are rather white skinned, they do a tip on the point of the nose, on the chin and all around the borders of the face so you won't look too pale, but I didn't dare to do that...

How differentiated your eye make up is with different colours and so depends a lot how close you will be to people. The further away you are, the more you need rather contrast than nuances.

Well I think so, at least...

I wanted to add, even if you're close to people, your face is part of the show, it's your "emotion-display", so it needs "costume".

i totally understand the face needs makeup. i used to do community theater, but it's been years. i do have mineral makeup that i don't react to. can i use that & just 'drag queen' it up a lot?

Originally Posted by beafarhana

For eye makeup, you need glitter that is *safe* and designed for the purpose. Not general body glitter.

How very true! I have encountered some people that think that regular glitter is okay...those are made with glass or metals (or other harmful materials) and therefore, shouldn't be used near the eyes. The same thing goes for the application of glitters-use something that's safe to put around eyes.

And BTW, I am a big fan of purple and green eye shadows - what a great combo!..g.:

for my eyes I use:
- eye candy, the marshmellow color, which is basically opalescent, for sparkle
-eyeliner from MAC, I don't know the brand, but it's in a very tiny glass jar. I have black called Blacktrack, and Purple called Waveliner. It's smudge / sweatproof liner, I love it
- and drugstore quality mascara (waterproof), brown / black eyeshadow.

I always use either very expensive or very cheap make up, but that's just me :)

Every one's eyes are different, so what may work for you may not work for me, so it's important to play with make up a lot. The more you do it the better you get at it, and you find different ways to enhance your eyes.

I do this:
- curl eyelashes, add mascara.
(of course I already added foundation, etc)
- add liner to the outer edge. Sometime I line the entire upper lid, but always start thin in the middle and make it thicker on the other, extending upwards over my eyes
-add Eye candy sparkle on the inside corner, start with a little, and I add more and more if I want
- add eye shadow. I usually just play with contours, so I use dark brown or black and light. i don't add colors unless they're very dark shades of purple, olive green, etc. But that's just me.
- keep on putting more, until I feel I have enough :)
- sometimes I go for the smokey eyes with lots of Kohl liner, but that's a lot stronger than the other looks.

And I agree with everyone who said you need stage make up (stronger than usual) when you perform, regardless of the occasion. The only exception I would say is when you perform during the day, when direct sunlight is available. Then you might want to tone it down, wear your make up just a bit stronger than usual.