Your Public Best - Lillian Brown [30]
She (I say “she” for simplicity; there are many skilled male TV makeup artists) does this because she knows how to compensate for those TV lights and unblinking cameras. She knows the quirks and limitations and characteristics of that particular studio. She knows how good the studio’s lighting person is, if those particular lights do strange things to certain colors (usually whites, yellows, greens, and reds), what colors vibrate on camera, and how the director prefers the guests to look (some are fussy about shiny noses, messy hair, or bright jewelry). She also knows how the background color of the set will work with your face and clothing colors.
She does not use high-fashion makeup techniques. She is probably not a hairdresser. But she will make you look much better than you would without her.
Basically, what the makeup person will do is what you could have done yourself, only she will do it faster and better. She will eliminate the circles under your eyes and apply a base lightly over your face to eliminate the beard, blemishes, or gradations of color; that is, she will even up your skin tone where necessary. Then she will indent the cheekbones (if needed), and possibly contour under the chin to sharpen the jawline. Powder will eliminate the shine. For women, eye makeup, cheek color, and lipstick will complete the procedure. She will also neaten and smooth your hair if necessary.
At the Studio. To take advantage of a makeup person’s professional skills, arrive early. A rushed makeup job usually looks like a rushed makeup job.
It is important to inform the makeup person if you are wearing contact lenses. It could be a disaster to pop one out just before you go on camera. It is also important not to get any foreign substance in the eye.
Men sometimes feel nervous walking into a makeup room and will often say, “I never use makeup,” which may actually mean that they have had a bad experience in the past with an inept makeup person. For example, about a year ago I was about to make up a political analyst who was going on a morning news show. Always a blunt man, he said he “didn’t want makeup.” When I asked him why, he told me that the last time he’d been made up, the makeup person swathed him in a frilly apron, spent about fifteen minutes working on him, and even got makeup on his shirt collar despite the apron. I told him I wouldn’t do any of those things and asked him to please trust me.
He did, and as he was leaving, he told me that he was glad that he had. He thanked me for “restoring his faith in makeup artists.”
An inept makeup artist may do what that one did to the political analyst, or she may try to coat the face with heavy makeup, giving an embalmed look. She may even try to apply eye makeup (!) to a man.
In such a case, you are justified in insisting on less makeup or going into the men’s room and undoing some of what was done to you. Most makeup artists, however, will make you look great on camera.
Refuse makeup if you have skin lesions or a similar problem. Simply tell the producer in advance. The director may be able to avoid close-ups and will understand the situation. If you have a cold or flu or a contagious condition such as a cold sore or fever blister, tell the makeup artist. If you have had an allergic reaction to makeup in the past, discuss this with her and at least consider letting her apply translucent powder to eliminate the shine.
Both men and women should remove a dark jacket before being made up. Also, take off your glasses as soon as you sit down in the makeup room’s chair.
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