It is generally agreed that your makeup portfolio should contain certain things. How many of these things is not agreed, though I think it is safe to say that quality tops quantity. You might want to think twice about having only one makeup to show, though, even if it’s a really, really good makeup. You […]

Working in the entertainment industry is supposed to be fun. We play make – believe for a living and sometimes get paid quite well for it, too. However, it is still a business, and a certain sense of decorum can and should be maintained while still having a good time. Being well prepared and well […]

In the application of makeup and makeup effects it is critical for you, the makeup artist, to be aware of the potential for cross-contamination of makeup and accessories. Infections such as cold sores, sties, and any number of other potentially more harmful bacterial or viral infections can be trans­mitted via makeup sponges, powder puffs, foundations, […]

Before you can begin creating makeup appliances from your ingenious designs, you need somewhere to do it. My little indie workshop is called Back Porch F/X because that’s literally where it started way back when: on my back porch. Actual square footage isn’t important as long as you have sufficient room to work on whatever […]

Many developments regarding the materials used in the fabrica­tion and coloring of makeup effects appliances as well as the adhe­sives used to hold them in place have come from the field of anaplastology: the art and science of restoring human anatomy by artificial means. Generally speaking, the various kinds of prostheses made by anaplastologists include […]

Strictly in terms of the end result, there is no discernable difference in the way 3D makeup effects are created for use on the stage or screen. Though traditional stage makeup (not prosthetic makeup) is meant to be viewed from a distance, many of today’s live theater venues put actors and audience within very close […]

"Plus Qa change, plus c’est la meme chose." The more things change, the more they remain the same. These words, attributed to French journalist and nov­elist Alphonse Karr from Les Gruepes in 1849, could hardly be more accurate in describing the business of special makeup effects today. Despite enormous advances in CGI technology (take a […]

Main image: Makeup by Neill Gorton, actor/model Kurt Carley, photography by Todd Debreceni. Top row from left: Makeup by David Elsey, actor Peter Feeney / Age sculpt of actor Brian Landis Folkins by Todd Debreceni, photography by Todd Debreceni. Middle row: Makeup by Todd Debreceni and Alison Chilen, actor Chris Kelly, photography by Todd Debreceni […]