Make-up troubleshooting for Domino costume

[KnowOne's Designs]

Ok so since all of you helped me out so much with my mask problems for Black Cat I decided to ask around on my make-up woes with this Domino costume.

So this is the picture I'm generally basing the make-up on (I really like the dimension with the red-black lipstick)
I'm doing this costume in kind of a hurry because our local comic store wanted us there for "X-Men Day," the husband is going as Deadpool dressed in one of those Wolverine costume t-shirts. It'll be fun!



I am currently using ben nye's foundation creme in porcelain and the same in black. I chose porcelain because i wanted to go for an extremely pale skin tone rather than clown white. As you can see it photographed much whiter than it actually is.



My Problem...
When I put this on it looks kinda dry and un-even. When I photograph it it looks great (granted this was on my camera phone but still...) does all cake make-up look like that in person or could I be doing/using something better? I'm really picky with this because it's the first costume I've done with intense make-up and I want it to look as good as possible. Also I'm going to be putting this on my hands as well so I need something that's going to keep it on my hands and off everything that I touch...

Any suggestions would be helpful!! Thanks!!

 

[tetsuyacasshern]

did you seal your face then apply the makeup. then seal the makeup.
Final Seal (Matte Makeup Sealer)

 

[KnowOne's Designs]

no I didn't seal my face first I used the powder seal afterwards, I think the liquid might work better now that you mention it, thanks!

If anyone has any other tips or brands they use I'm open to those suggestions as well!

 

[tetsuyacasshern]

You also might want to consider liquid latex it has a lot of stretch to it.

 

[Bizarro Lois]

Could even a little cold creme help?

 

[Mojo_Turbo]

I think Domino is easily in my top 5 favorite female costumes - and your makeup looks great on camera - can't wait to see more

 

[RebellionBarbie]

I've had the same issues with a few different foundations...surprisingly enough, one that I've found to cake or streak the LEAST, believe it or not, is Mehron, which they sell in many regular costume stores. I went for the same effect with my Harley Quinn, opting for an off-white to just make me pale and porcelain-ey instead of straight white clown. I've used a few others including some nicer, pricier, more high end brands and they all have that uneven quality to it. This is a pic of it:

I'm wearing the Geisha Mehron here (with blush) and it honestly turns out fantastically. Using it wet with a sponge tends to work best, foundation brushes don't pick it up. Totally not my normal makeup M.O. but it works!

Also using some sort of makeup sealant (one of my favs is She-laq by Benefit) especially on your hands will help keep it from rubbing off. Barring that, as uncomfortable as it sounds, run of the mill hairspray will also do the trick.

Hope this helps!

 

[Tommyfilth]

They are more expensive but the alcohol activated makeups stay on forever. I'm not sure on even coverage, but an airbrush might help in that regard.

Tommy

 

[KnowOne's Designs]

Could even a little cold creme help?

That's a thought, I read that somewhere else as well, thanks!

I think Domino is easily in my top 5 favorite female costumes - and your makeup looks great on camera - can't wait to see more

Thanks!! I hope it comes out even better after everyone's suggestions!

I've had the same issues with a few different foundations...surprisingly enough, one that I've found to cake or streak the LEAST, believe it or not, is Mehron, which they sell in many regular costume stores. I went for the same effect with my Harley Quinn, opting for an off-white to just make me pale and porcelain-ey instead of straight white clown. I've used a few others including some nicer, pricier, more high end brands and they all have that uneven quality to it. This is a pic of it:

I'm wearing the Geisha Mehron here (with blush) and it honestly turns out fantastically. Using it wet with a sponge tends to work best, foundation brushes don't pick it up. Totally not my normal makeup M.O. but it works!

Also using some sort of makeup sealant (one of my favs is She-laq by Benefit) especially on your hands will help keep it from rubbing off. Barring that, as uncomfortable as it sounds, run of the mill hairspray will also do the trick.

Hope this helps!

Oh mah gosh, thanks!! That's pretty much my frustration with this stuff. I'm going out tomorrow to by some of that Mehron and try it out. I have also found that sometimes mixing theater and costume make-up with commercial make-up doesn't always work. I used smashbox's photofinish face primer thinking it would smooth my face before the cake make-up but maybe this is what made it streaky...I'll have to get more she-laq, I love that stuff!
You did a great job on your Harley by-the-way, I love the fact that you went with the porcelain instead of the clown white, it's a great take on her!

They are more expensive but the alcohol activated makeups stay on forever. I'm not sure on even coverage, but an airbrush might help in that regard.

Tommy

I would love to start learning how to airbrush, but I need this done by the 8th of july, so it's kind of a rush job, thanks though!!

 

[NoTsOsErIoUs]

One thing I've noticed about creme based make-ups is that you seem to get a far more even application using your fingertips and light dabbing motions on the skin.
As already said a liquid spray sealer before, powder after and spray sealer on top of that will go along way to helping you keep the make-up where it should be.
But when all is said and done, if you want it not to come off then AA make-up is the best option. Don't think it's only airbrush application use. You can use brushes or sponges too.

 

[KnowOne's Designs]

One thing I've noticed about creme based make-ups is that you seem to get a far more even application using your fingertips and light dabbing motions on the skin.
As already said a liquid spray sealer before, powder after and spray sealer on top of that will go along way to helping you keep the make-up where it should be.
But when all is said and done, if you want it not to come off then AA make-up is the best option. Don't think it's only airbrush application use. You can use brushes or sponges too.

I'll try applying it with my fingers this time, those make-up sponges seem like they gum up too fast. I'm going to pick up some paints today I'll try the AA and the other one rebellionbarbie suggested, thanks!!!

 

[Sakara]

heya...ive used liquid and creme makeup when i did Asajj and i used a makeup primer before applying it..and a suitable moisteriser before that. It creates the best base for any makeup as any moisture in the makeup will be absorbed into the skin and thus create the blotchy appearance.

The best makeup is the AA type from different use. For a simple one colour, a cheap student airbrush is all you need, if you want to create texture on the skin you can use a toothbrush or stipple brush with a slightly lighter or darker shade.

 

[KnowOne's Designs]

heya...ive used liquid and creme makeup when i did Asajj and i used a makeup primer before applying it..and a suitable moisteriser before that. It creates the best base for any makeup as any moisture in the makeup will be absorbed into the skin and thus create the blotchy appearance.

The best makeup is the AA type from different use. For a simple one colour, a cheap student airbrush is all you need, if you want to create texture on the skin you can use a toothbrush or stipple brush with a slightly lighter or darker shade.

That must have been my problem, I think I actually skipped the moisturizer because I thought it wouldn't stick to the cream make-up. Thanks!!

I just got back with a few different types to try so tomorrow I'll post some pics so you guys can see if you can tell the difference and I'll be able to see what worked the best, thanks again everyone!

 

[Sakara]

let the moisteriser and primer sink in before applying makeup. But it'l help create a perfect base.

 

[RebellionBarbie]

Haha that's funny because I had the exact opposite experience. I tried using stuff like the Ben Nye and Wolfe Bros. stuff with no prep, and when that didn't work, I tried again with the smashbox photofinish (that stuff is addicting isn't it?) with no improvement. So while a primer doesn't necessarily mess it up, it doesn't necessarily help either. I think I used that primer below the mehron in that photo though.

Also take care not to use a moisturizer with an SPF in it underneath a finicky white foundation. That will definitely mess things up.

 

[Capn_Jack_Savvy]

As a man I am embarrassed to say that I KNOW what Smashbox Photofinish is......!

I used the stuff before my Mad Hatter white Make Up Forever White Pan Stick but it still caused major problems after the movie. You could see where it was rubbing off.

Shortly after application:

About 5 hours later:

You can see where it is rubbing off at the bridge of my nose and on my chin.

I am definitely look for someone that can point me in the right direction for an alcohol based white make up that can be applied with an airbrush system.

I use Ve Neil for Captain Sparrow but that stuff comes in small quantities.

 

[KnowOne's Designs]

let the moisteriser and primer sink in before applying makeup. But it'l help create a perfect base.

Ok I'll give the Ben Nye one more chance with this combination! thanks!

Haha that's funny because I had the exact opposite experience. I tried using stuff like the Ben Nye and Wolfe Bros. stuff with no prep, and when that didn't work, I tried again with the smashbox photofinish (that stuff is addicting isn't it?) with no improvement. So while a primer doesn't necessarily mess it up, it doesn't necessarily help either. I think I used that primer below the mehron in that photo though.

Also take care not to use a moisturizer with an SPF in it underneath a finicky white foundation. That will definitely mess things up.

I did get the Mehron but they only had white so I think I'm going to try a combo because when I did the black around my eye the first time it started to crease within minutes so I might not mess with that again and just go with the black mehron. I also bought some final seal so we'll see what I come up with tomorrow morning. And yes photofinish is addicting, I bought some one day at ulta and all these ladies in line around me started asking me questions about it for some reason and I ended up unintentionally selling something like 5 tubes of the stuff, haha:lol

oh and captn jack saavy don't be ashamed of knowing what it is, it's awesome and it looks like you do great work with it! I'll let you know how this comes out tomorrow and maybe it'll help with your hatter
Thanks again everyone!

 

[Hate]

I am actually a bit experienced when it comes to get a fully covered face and I found that Kryolan Aquacolor works fantastically for staying power with a good sealant plus it looks great in person and on camera. Let me show you what I mean (its not letting me out the photo in directly so I'll just link it) Cosplay.com - Let the Bodies hit the floor - Dirzzt Do'Urden - Dragula also here is a close up Welcome to Facebook Given both of the photos were about 7 to 8 ish hours after application, I might have had one small touch up session in between but I can't remember right now. Hope this helps

 

[Sakara]

Smashbox primer is silicone based and will interfere with the base makeup..i hate that type so much. strangely enough though the Smashbox Light primer which isnt silicone based doesnt cause any problems.
smashbox PHOTO FINISH FOUNDATION PRIMER LIGHT | smashbox cosmetics

any primer that 'looks' more like moisteriser than say serum will work best with heavy makeup.

 

[KnowOne's Designs]

Smashbox primer is silicone based and will interfere with the base makeup..i hate that type so much. strangely enough though the Smashbox Light primer which isnt silicone based doesnt cause any problems.
smashbox PHOTO FINISH FOUNDATION PRIMER LIGHT | smashbox cosmetics

any primer that 'looks' more like moisteriser than say serum will work best with heavy makeup.

That's the one I have so it must have been that I didn't use enough moisturizer or let it sit long enough, ok I'm off to finish the rest suit before I try this again!

I am actually a bit experienced when it comes to get a fully covered face and I found that Kryolan Aquacolor works fantastically for staying power with a good sealant plus it looks great in person and on camera. Let me show you what I mean (its not letting me out the photo in directly so I'll just link it) Cosplay.com - Let the Bodies hit the floor - Dirzzt Do'Urden - Dragula also here is a close up Welcome to Facebook Given both of the photos were about 7 to 8 ish hours after application, I might have had one small touch up session in between but I can't remember right now. Hope this helps

That's awesome! especially in black which I would assume be hard to hide any rub-off. We'll see how my second attempt goes today especially on my hands, thanks again! be back in a few to post new and improved shots!