The type and amount of makeup you use will depend upon the job you're doing. Actors on a stage need a lot of makeup, even for basic roles, to make them visible to an audience. Foundation, powders, lipstick and eyeliner are basics. Additional makeup may be required for more complex character roles.
Use a foundation that matches your skin as closely as possible. Slightly lighter or darker is okay. Apply the foundation with a latex sponge by dabbing it over your face. You should apply the foundation to your cheek bones, forehead, jaw, nose and neck,and then blend it together until you have full and even coverage of the face and neck.
Enhance the high and low areas of your face, which will bring out these details from a distance. You can use makeup a shade or two darker or lighter than your foundation, or you can choose shades that don't fit your skin tone at all, depending upon the effect you want. Apply this makeup to the receding areas of your face, which include around the nose, under your eyes, and around the collarbone. Use a light shade to highlight bone structure and bring out the definition of your chin and cheekbones. You can blend this makeup using your fingers, a Q-tip, a sponge or a brush.
Use powder eye makeup and eyeliner to bring out the eyes. A technique to use for someone who has small eyes is to use a dull yellow makeup spread evenly across the eyelids. Conversely, a heavy eyeliner on the top eyelid will decrease the appearance of someone who has very large eyes.
Use translucent powder to set the makeup. Use a soft brush to roll the powder over the makeup to avoid getting a shiny look. Apply lipstick, rouge and other finishing touches last. Use a lip liner a shade darker than your lipstick to enhance your lips. Blending the lipliner with your lipstick will ease the difference between the two while still bringing out the shape of your lips.
For men, use finishing makeup such as rouge, eyeliner and mascara to exaggerate the features stage.