Little Mermaid

Hey all! I've been a lurker on here for a while (thanks for all the tips!) but this is my first time posting. I'm helping with a local kids production of The Little Mermaid this summer. The director came to me with some ideas that she likes and I was hoping you guys with all of your experience could help me out a little. I'm posting some of the pictures that the director likes below. What would be better to use for this type of thing, face paint or stage makeup? I've never used stage makeup so I don't know anything about it. Also, if I use face paint what is the best type of sealer I can use so this will last for the whole play including costume changes? Thanks so much!

Stage makeup I used when in school was thick and very greasy. I have no idea on what sealer or base you would use to help the staying power of the facepaint, though.
DO you know if the costumes are made already? On thing a production SHOULD keep in mind for costume changes is the actor's makeup. IMO, all costumes should be designed to be stepped into and dropped to the floor, NOT put on over the head. If they haven't already been made, speak to the costume designer about your concerns. My guess is that person won't want to have make up stains all over their costumes any more than you want your makeup work smeared.

That was the picture I was given for inspiration for the Little mermaid for our last year production. I used regular face paint. The kids did two productions a night, it worked just fine. There is another person asking similar questions. Check for that thread.

Those look more like Mica Powders. If it were me, I’d just use some primer and eye shadows.

I just posted on another thread, but LIGHTING and how far back the audience will be are also going to determine a great deal about what makeup should be used. If there is a dress rehearsal, I'd do one both halves of the face differently to see what reads best from the audience, what works with the costumes and what the actress prefers.

Evil eyebrows, I love it!
ben nye has a fixing powder that helps a lot, if you go with face paint. good luck!