Elizabethan Makeup

[LadyElizabeth]

OK, so I know I've seen this thread before, but after the move it has been lost... or at least I couldn't find it in my search.  And sorry if this is not in the "right" section, but I know many of you ladies do go to Elizabethan faires and will likely know my answer.

My question is, what foundation do people use for their Elizabethan white faces?  I've tried a few different brands and the latest one broke me out so bad.... There has got to be something out there that will give an authentic white faced look without breaking me out!!

[Anna Iram]

Elizabeth, there's this thread started by Master James in regard to Fop makeup. Perhaps there is something in there for you while you wait for others to read your request.

http://www.renaissancefestival.com/forums/index.php?topic=2174.0

[operafantomet]

I don't think you really want what they wore... which was something like a paste of scary and less scary ingredients - lead white, chalk, vinegar, God-knows-what....

I have a few links - dunno how accurate they are (might be a bit "light"), but here you go:
http://www.rencentral.com/jul_aug_vol1/makeup101.shtml
http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/elizabethan-make-up.htm
http://www.tomecek.com/jay/Fashions.html

As for modern substitutes... What about the kind of white clowns use for their make-up? It's fairly easy to apply and remove, and not too expensive. I know, you don't wanna look like a clown, but... I think it could work.

[Tygrkat]

well, the make-up artists for Cate Blanchette in "Elizabeth", used MAC Studio Fix (or so I heard  ), which is a powder/foundation in either NW15 or NC15 (I forget which, but the difference is warm vs. cool skin tone, hence the 'w' and 'c') and if you go to the MACPRO website, they have a pure white powder/foundation as well.

...unless you're a make-up artist or a professional of some sort, you can't order from the MACPRO website, but you can place a phone order...odd, I know...

For the regular MAC stuff, I just go to the counter at Macy's...I wear their make-up for daily wear as well as for Faire (and in my wedding photos   and it is very breathable, easy to use and remove (just your regular face cleanser of choice), and I've never had an issue with break-outs because of it.

Link to MAC Cosmetics:

http://www.maccosmetics.com/


Link to MAC PRO

http://www.macpro.com/index.tmpl?ngextredir=1

[Miranda]

How opaque do you want to go?  There are many different options.
For instance, Ben Nye makes a super white powder which seems to work well for a more translucent look.
For a slightly more opaque look, but not super clown white, they have a line called the Proscenium (P) Series of foundations.
The Proscenium (P) Series has a color called "porcelain" which gives a nice Elizabethan, Rococo look.
Really the key is getting the contrast between skin and cheeks and lips.

[LadyElizabeth]

I think MAC is what a few of the other ladies who play QE1 have recommended before, so I ordered some.  It really didn't look like the NW15 was white enough and so I ordered the N3.  My skin tones naturally are not as pale as many natural red heads, so I felt I needed a bit lighter shade to help with the right affect.  And yes, I don't want the "clown" white look at all, much more opaque and QE1 like.  Thanks for the help!

[Tygrkat]

If you ordered the Studio Fix powder/foundation, you can use a lightly moistened make-up sponge (those little foamy-looking wedges) to get more opaque coverage, and then a good facial brush to apply powder to set - I also have the blotting powder for touch-ups, it's translucent, and keeps your look really matte-ified 

[isabelladangelo]

The unnatural "white" (clown) isn't true to period.  They wanted to look pale, not sick or like stone.   Operafantomet gave some great links that will give an idea of what they used.   I'd look at period portraits to get an even better idea of ideal beauty. 

Also, as long as you don't sweat a lot, a light dusting of talcum powder works well for the "pale" look.  You might also want to try a slightly lighter foundation (like a shade or two lighter than your real skin tone).

[Miranda]

To prevent "sweat off" several theater makeup manufacturers make something called barrier spray.
I'd really take the white powder, setting spray approach.  It gives the effect without frightening small children.

[Adriana Rose]

A cheaper way to have the barrer spray is to take some arasol hair spray and lightly spray your face it will help seal the makeup on your face.. make sure you close your eyes though!


I have done it when I have gone dancing, it seals it quite well

[mieljolie]

Wow, I was born many centuries too soon! 

This reminds me of going to a make-up counter in a department store with my sister a few years back.  They were boasting of being able to custom match fondation to any skin tone.  Well, I was all for it.  After the woman at the counter started to do her color tests to determine how much tint to add to the base color she paused, looked at me strangley and proceeded to suggest I buy the foundation sans tint.  She told me that she had never before seen a skintone as "casper-white" as mine and to add any tint would make it too dark.    

Guess if I decide to make an Elizabethan outfit, I can save money not needing the white make-up.  Hehe

[Dayna]

Most people I know describe it as Trout Belly White!  Yup, that's me, old fish face 

Dayna

[Taffy Saltwater]

My BF is fish belly white, too.  I refer to it as her "alabaster complexion" - she's a much happier person now. 

[Dayna]

Most kind of you Taffy.  There's one good thing to be said for being pale, when we're old, we never quite look as old as we are, 'cause we've got minimal sun damage having spent our lives under hats and slathered in sunscreen.

Dayna