Before the pandemic, my team and I would spend hours in the theatre. It was part of our teaching program to have our graduates join internships so they could learn more. The theatre is the perfect avenue for learning because we get to learn how to do different looks that are more challenging than the usual because of the characters that the actors need to portray. To add to this, we also get to test products from different brands. We are able to see if these products can withstand sweating from heavy choreography, smudging from touching each other on stage and at the same time, still look flawless during the whole show.
Here are some brands that we were able to try and use that we can vouch for when it comes to the theatre makeup game.
Kryolan
Kryolan is a Berlin-based company that had a few branches here in the Philippines that’s why we easily had access to their products. They’re not very popular here but I feel like they should be because they’re one of the high-end brands that I know that really delivers.
The popularity of Kryolan comes from being able to create great looks under HD lighting, filming conditions and of course, during live stage performances like the theatre or beauty pageantry. We particularly love the Kryolan TV Paint Stick because of it’s coverage. One layer is enough to create a solid, full coverage base – no need to put on layers. That being said, we can ensure the makeup is cake-free all througout the performance!
MAC
If you ask theatre artists what their go-to makeup product is, some of them would say MAC. In fact, MAC is so effective for stage makeup that I’ve heard many of my acquaintances say that it shouldn’t be used for everyday. If you’ve tried MAC, especially their foundations, you’ll see how it does create such a nice, thick base for glam makeup. And, well, yeah it is heavy.
However, heavy makeup is what we need for theater. MAC products really do work great for theater. They have sponsored several productions such as Wicked, Into the Woods, Anastasia and many more. Even male consumers love MAC because men sweat more and products from these brands can withstand sweat.
Mehron
This brand doesn’t get the attention that it should. Mehron pioneered the pro theatre makeup game way back in 1927. Check out the Mehron Makeup Sweat and Tears Makeup which is what actors use to maintain tears or sweat on set. It’s rumored that Kim Kardashian use this to give her a glow within.
Mehron also has a stick foundation that we like called the CreamBlend stick that can also cover blemishes easily and transform your skin with one layer just like the Kryolan TV Paint Stick. If you’re looking for a primer that can help your makeup last throughout the day, try the Mehron Velvet Finish Primer. And a personal favorite that I use even for regular clients, the Mehron Color Corrector Palette – it’s very effective, sets fast and really does neutralize blemishes on the face.
Ben Nye
Last but definitely not the least, Ben Nye! Ben Nye has grown in popularity over the past few years not just because of the theatre industry but also because of their Banana Powder has sold so many units in Asia. In addition to this, a lot of SFX makeup artists rely on Ben Nye for their needs like liquid latex, fake blood and paint. That being said, the brand is very popular with actors.
All of these brands have several products to offer. I’m not a one-brand kind of makeup artists so I have my favorites per brand. But feel free to hoard and shop from one.
