Body makeup finishes and smoothes out the color of the skin. Even a sheer coat of body makeup will give the skin a beautiful finish that photographs better than skin would if clean. It polishes the skin for a beautiful look. Usually opaque body makeup covers veins, stretch marks, age spots, and discolorations. Sometimes you are doing just the neck and hands; other times, full leg, back, and chest, on men, women, and occasionally children. Widely used in all media, liquids are favored for their finish and are formulated for the body. Most come in water-resistant, sweat-resistant formulas.
Industry Standards: Visiora, Make Up For Ever, M»A»C.
Start with applying sunblock first, if needed, and allow time to absorb. Know the area of the skin that is not covered by clothing. Place tissue in all openings of clothes to protect from makeup. Avoid applying body makeup where there is clothing covering the skin. The Costume Department will appreciate your protecting the clothing.
You can apply body makeup directly to the skin with a sea sponge, large foundation brush, or your hands. If a sheer coverage is needed, mix with body lotion. Check for even application and no lines of demarcation. Let dry. Gently press with tissue to remove excess. Powder with a “nocolor” powder or translucent powder and large powder puff. Buff off excess powder with the puff. Allow time for drying before removing tissue from clothing.
Body makeup using an airbrush is covered in Chapter 10.
Tattoos are everywhere! You will cover millions of tattoos in your career for so many reasons: if it does not work with the character, if the Director does not like the real tattoo and wants something more appropriate for the situation. . . the reasons go on.
There are several ways to cover tattoos. We will give you two to try.