Wash your face thoroughly prior to applying makeup. Makeup looks best when it’s applied to a fresh canvas, and it will appear fresh longer when your face is free from excess oils, dirt and dead skin cells.
Apply an astringent to your face. The astringent closes your pores and helps protect your skin from the makeup.
Apply foundation to your face that is one to two shades darker than your skin tone using a makeup sponge. The darker foundation will prevent you from looking washed out under the lights. Use the sponge to blend the makeup into your neck; without blending, the audience may spot the differences in color.
Highlight the natural contours of your face to add dimension. Use a darker shade of foundation to draw a shadow line from the top corner of your mouth to your ear on each side to highlight your cheekbones, and lightly blend in. Apply a lighter shade of foundation or a white highlighter to your chin, forehead and T-zone.
Apply a powdered rouge to your cheeks to add color to your face. Using a synthetic blush brush, lightly sweep the powder onto the apples of your cheeks upward toward your temples. It’s easier to add color than to remove color, so use less color than you think you’ll need, and continue to add color until you get the right look.
Use a liner pencil that matches the color of your eyebrows to ensure the brows can be seen in the audience. Lightly stroke the pencil onto the hair, but remember that you are going for a natural look and not a heavy application.
Apply a pale cream eyeshadow to your eyelids. Cream eyeshadow pops more than powdered eyeshadow, and it will help to make your eyes look larger.
Use a dark cream eyeshadow to outline your eye socket. Apply it along the crease of your eyelids and along your lash line. This will help to open your eyes.
Add false eyelashes to help your eyes pop even more, or use an eyelash curler and a dark black mascara.
Line the lips with a lip liner that matches the color of your lipstick by following the natural line of your lips.
Apply your lipstick using a synthetic lip brush. Choose a color that is darker or brighter than what you normally wear. A more dramatic color will help your mouth stand out under the lights.