Prepare skin for pancake makeup by cleansing and drying it thoroughly. Moisturize dry skin with a dab of light lotion and blot off any excess grease.
Secure theatrical effects, including latex noses, using prosthetic glue or spirit gum. This prevents them from becoming detached when you apply the wet pancake makeup. Fix prosthetic pieces or special effects makeup required by your design before applying pancake.
Wipe a wet makeup sponge over the pancake until you get a buildup of creamy color. Paint this directly on to the face, following your design. Using a fresh sponge each time you dip into a new color keeps the pancakes clean and stops your design from looking muddy and smudged. The best theatrical makeup uses the audience's distance from the stage to create optical illusions, and so it must be applied cleanly for a successful effect. If a color or effect requires blending, do this before the makeup has set.
Draw details and special effects with a range of theatrical makeup tools, such as brushes and stipple sponges. Work over the original layer as soon as the makeup dries. As pancake sets quickly, you do not have to wait long. Add final embellishments such as warts, thread veins or patterns.