Straight Theatrical Make up

History Of Media Makeup

Except for professional male actors and models you may think that traditionally make-up has always been used by women, but you would be wrong. Throughout history, in western civilization, before the twentieth century, make-up was worn primarily by men.Think back to paintings from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Our own George Washington and his contemporaries wore white powdered wigs with curls on the side and a pony tail in back, as well as white powder on their faces and red rouge on their cheeks and lips.After smallpox swept through Europe and left many people with pox marks, the French elite covered these scars by painting large, black beauty marks over them.Some even painted the symbols of hearts, clubs, spades and diamonds in red or black over the scars, as playing cards was the main social event in the evenings. This was considered extremely fashionable at the time as electricity had not yet been invented, so there was no television or radio to provide entertainment on long, dark evenings. This was the practice of the wealthy who had time on their hands to adorn themselves. The peasants of course were toiling away and had no time for such things. But in wealthy society the men were the peacocks.After the French revolution, as society turned to a more utilitarian way of life with less distinction between the classes, excessive make- up went out of fashion, especially with men. It symbolized decadence and that had been overthrown. Then, just after the turn of the twentieth century the motion picture industry began.It was discovered that with the powerful lights they used at that time, the actors looked washed out and drab. Therefore, make-up had to be created for male and female actors to even out the skin tone, add color, enhance features and create drama. And then like now the general public idolized movie stars and wanted to emulate them. This created a retail need for cosmetics and the beginning of what is today one of the largest earning sectors in market history. Women are continually fascinated by cosmetics and the promise they hold and can't seem to get enough of them. It's understandable, as for the price of a tube of lipstick they are buying the hope of glamor and excitement. And for about $12 that dream is cheap at the price.

The 'bright young things' of the 1920's flaunted short bobs, pale skin and red lips in the shape of cupid's bows. In the late 1920s and 1930s the eyebrows were often shaved off and painted on again with an eyebrow pencil in a half moon shape. The fashion for the wealthy was pale skin, to show that you didn't work outside. Only the working classes and outside laborers got tan. From the 1960s on it was the opposite. Pale skin indicated people who worked inside in offices or factories whereas, a suntan showed you were wealthy enough to vacation and jet set for most of the year. Of course when it was discovered that excessive exposure to the sun caused premature aging and skin cancer, the dark tan look faded from popularity.

The days of Fred Estaire and Ginger Rogers dancing their way around glamorous nightclubs came to an end with the onset of World War II. Men went to war and women took over their jobs in factories, to keep the country going. Women no longer had the time or money to spend on fancy make-up, so the natural look became popular. In the 1940s eyebrows were left full and the desired patriotic look was more earthy. Women wore trousers for the first time, since they were doing mens work. Even the top designer at the day, Coco Chanel, designed trousers for women for the first time. So not only was the utilitarian look necessary for the average woman, but Chanel made it fashionable on the Paris runways.

Hollywood continued to create icons that ordinary women emulated. In the post war 1950s anyone could purchase make-up at cosmetic counters in department stores and they did. Wearing make-up was no longer dictated by wealth or ones place in society. The cosmetic industry has continued to grow and it is a larger market today than ever before

L`oreal Paris studio secrets smoothing resurfacing primer in my opinion is one product no make up artist should go without. It is a primer to be applied to the face before any makeup is applied IIT creates a Smooth soft flawless cover to the skin whilst also making it feel silky. It can be applied around the mouth to stop lipstick running aswell. It is good at disguising pores and wrinkles. This product costs £15 and can last a very long time which is why I think it is a product every makeup artist should have as a staple piece of their kit.

 

1. What were your expectations on starting the course?



2. What are your initial thoughts on JWC and the Media make-up course?

my initial thoughts on James Watt College were it was a very good learning enviroment with lots of ways to find resources

3. What is your funniest moment if college life so far ?

Seeing everyone walk about with their SFX makeup on and watching peoples reactions

4. What is the most interesting thing you have learned or learned how to do so far ?

the most interesting thing i have learned so far is applying wax and creating cuts

5. Who is your make up idol ?



6. Why do you want to be a MUA ?

i love how you can tottally change a person just by applying different techniques they can become all different characters and people and even possibly change the sex of that person

Rick Baker is a hugely famous SFX MUA

He has wprked on such films as Men In Black 3

 

 

An American Wolf In London

 

 

Beauty And The Beast

 

 

RatBoy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



NASMAH

NASMAH (National Association of Screen Make-up Artists and Hairdressers)

NASMAH is the UK association for professional make-up artists and hairdressers who work in film, television, theatre, fashion and photography.

They provide services such as "find a make up artist directory" for people looking for makeup artists. They also provide links to short courses in these industries. They have information pages for any questions why may need answered. They also provide memberships the freshman the full and the associate the freshaman is for media makeup artists who have been working in the industry for less than 10 years and the full is for madia make up artits with over 10 years experiance in the industry. The associate are for companies that provide services that provide services to hair and make up including wig makers, training providers, make up suppliers, hair product supplies etc. The membership costs  between £30-£48 anually. These memberships give you discounts at the links on theyre links page.

 

 

 

NASMAH provide links to websites such as :

 

Artdeco

http://artdeco.org.uk/

Guru Make up Emporiun

http://www.gurumakeupemporium.com/

Make-up International

http://www.make-upinternational.com/

Screenface

http://www.screenface.co.uk/

Cazcarra London

http://seventaimage.com/