MOCHI > The Workshop > Makeup, Etc. > Buying Makeup

It's a little hard trying to sensibly describe all the different kinds of makeup and the different ways to approach buying it.

• A lot of the makeup discussed here is used in the theater or in the movies. If you aren't familiar with it, try reading through the basics. Most of the makeup described here is useful for both natural effects (lightening or darkening skin) as well as makeup designed to be seen at a distance (like at a large masquerade).
• If you are looking to wear some degree of makeup for hall costumes -- just enough makeup to help hide a few flaws or highlight particular feature -- you might want to look through the writeup on basic theater makeup. Otherwise, most of the makeup that you can pick up in a drugstore or a department store should work well for you and you might want to skip over to the Makeup Techniques.
• If you want non-natural effects: green skin, elf ears, etc., take a look at the special effects section.

If you have a theater supply store in your area, visit it. You may not always be able to get the prosthetic at the cheapest price ever, but you can get something that is priceless: good advice. Well-run stores that stock theater supplies year-round (not just at Halloween) will often have staff members who regularly use this stuff. (And if they aren't in, ask when they will be on shift!) Sometimes, you may come in with a definite idea about how you want to achieve an effect -- and, after explaining it to the person behind the counter, they can tell you how to do it in a completely different way that will be much kinder to you and your pocketbook.

If you can't get to a theater supply store, there are a couple of on-line stores to check out. Since makeup and prosthetics are usually non-returnable, pay attention to what the return policy is and what extra fees may be involved.

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