Select the kind of makeup you want. White (cake) makeup is made of pressed powder and can be glycerin-based. Clown white (greased) makeup is made with talc powder. It spreads on thick.
Shave your face (if male). Apply a moisturizing lotion if you are using grease makeup. It will help the grease makeup to spread more easily.
Brush your hair out of your face or tie it back if it is long enough.
Outline the area that you wish to cover, using your fingers and your white makeup. If making a mask, outline your face and chin, leaving about 1/2cm clean before the hairline. If covering your face, ears and neck, outline where your shirt will lie, then dab white makeup onto your ears with an applicator sponge until you cover them.
Apply the white to your face with your fingers or an applicator sponge. Begin in the center of your nose and evenly spread the makeup in a circular pattern going all the way out to the border you made when outlining your face. Cover your entire neck and face up to the hairline.
Smear the makeup lightly and evenly if painting your lips white. If you plan to wear a different color lipstick instead, apply the makeup all the way until where the lips begin. It is okay to smear a little makeup on your lips. You can always cover it with lipstick.
Outline your mask, eyes and eyebrows with a black eyeliner pencil if you are using cake makeup. This will better display your facial features underneath the white. Paint or draw any other designs you want to augment your white face.
Apply powder with a brush or sponge if you are using grease makeup and intend to paint over parts of your white face. The powder will stop the grease from smearing and make it easier to draw on it.
Powder lightly to avoid smearing or removing any makeup. Do not apply too much powder; tthe makeup will crack. Powder until your face doesn't feel sticky.
Draw on any outlines or designs that you desire to go with your costume. If you make a smudge, remove the makeup with a Q-tip then reapply it.