Help! Need theatrical makeup advice

What would be the best makeup i.e. sweat and smearproof to darken skin tones and achieve a Middle Eastern look. Doing a Christmas contata and they want Theatrical makeup. Any advice appreciated!

I use pancake for that sort of thing - Ben Nye Cake Foundations or Mehron Starblends. They both come in a myriad of flesh tones. I have used them often to create other races out of the pigmentally challenged.

Apply with a damp sponge then buff with a barely damp sponge to even out the finish and remove excess colour. They hold very well throughout a performance.

Thanks Shannon! That sounds great. Who carries the Ben Nye cake? Did look for Ben Nye products earlier here in the forum shop.

Scratch the qestion. Found both products. Would we need to use Final Set? Sounds like for a church production we out to be fine without it by the product descriptions.

I never use a barrier or sealer. For the duration of a play it isn't necessary. Unless they are "singing in the rain" there really isn't much chance of it running. If they are heavy sweaters tell them to blot not wipe.

Shannon, I love you. The end. You are so generous with your knowledge.

I would recommend powdering over the foundation- that's what makes it stick and never move.
http://www.alconeco.com/Products/Straight-Makeup/Face/Powders/Ben-Nye-Translucent-Face-Powders
I think I used the neutral set or the fair.

Pancake make-up does not need to be powdered. It is a cake make-up foundation - water activated. Dries to a powder dry finish.

Kat's FacesForFun wrote:Shannon, I love you. The end. You are so generous with your knowledge.

Aw shucks

No prob

So, got "promoted" from being asked for advice to being "in charge" of makeup for the production. Taking your advice Shannon and going with the Ben Nye. They are going to order four or so shades for me so we will have some variety of tone. Between the choir, actors, and "extras" in the form of little kids, I think I'm looking at about 75 faces. Course I will have some help. Here's hoping I'm not biting off more than I can chew! Again, thanks Shannon for the advice.

When you get the make-up try it out on your arm... DAMP (not wet!) sponge, rub across the cake to load, then swipe it on and use a circular motion to spread it around, reload as necessary... once you have all the area covered, buff it with a practically dry sponge to even out the finish and soak up any moisture... you will/should be able to get a smooth finish. It is NOT the same as face paint... the colour holds on the skin easily as buffing it removes any excess so there is nothing to flake off.

Also a brown smudge proof eye liner pencil is good for adding dimension to a face, especially when you are darkening the skin. Picking one up at a local drug store is usually cheap. You can add age by accenting the lines of the face: under the eyes, temples, around the nose, the line of the cheek from the nose to mouth, etc. Really handy with stage makeup as the bright lights tend to wash everything flat.

Thank you guys so much for the advice. I've got some mineral makeup in mocha and espresso tones for adding some dimension to the base. Will get the eyeliner pencil as well for more detailed lines. Wish I had known about this around Halloween. Would have bought some clearance glitter hairspray for the angels but I guess I can sacrifice some of my fairy glitter (bought it in bulk). Again, Thanks and thanks. Members here are the greatest!