As an actor, I really need to be kind to my skin, especially my face. Over the years, I’ve had several different types of makeup on my face. The most recent skin-stressful experience I had was my first time with the sap from hell- Spirit Gum.
A tiny jar of adhesive that smells like pine sol and chemical death, Spirit Gum is used to apply prosthetics, as well as facial hair, onto an actor.
Here’s a before image of what it looked like on me (also featuring the very lovely Gabe as my scene partner!)
Here’s what it looked after the show! (Featuring my lovely sister and her boyfriend!)
So, while it may not seem obvious in the lovely photo of my overdrawn eyebrows, my upper lip is covered in Spirit Gum, as well as the rest of my face being covered in stage makeup, which is much thicker than what’s known as “street” makeup. It’s meant to withstand two hours of sweating and running around, as well as be visible from the other end of an auditorium. While over-the-top up close, it makes you look like a normal person from a hundred feet away under bright lights.
With all that in mind, here’s how I get all the gunk off my face.
Step 1: Removing Spirit Gum
WARNING: ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL IS EXTREMELY STRONG. NO DERMATOLOGIST RECOMMENDS THIS. IF YOUR FACE BEGINS TO HURT, DO NOT KEEP USING IT. I AM NOT A DOCTOR.
To take the Spirit Gum off my upper lip, I pour a SMALL amount of Isopropyl Alcohol onto a cotton round and rub it lightly against the area to break up the gunk. Use only one or two at the most.
STEP 2: Remove layer of stage makeup
Use your preferred makeup removing method to get the initial layer of makeup off your face. (Mine happens to be Micellar water!) This won’t get all of it off but getting the main layer off before you jump into the shower is going to make your skin care routine even easier.
STEP 3: Exfoliating and first cleansing.
Using a facial brush from CVS as well as a Neutrogena face wash, I run the brush over my skin to work the facial wash into my face. This helps me get deeper into my pores and get to the dirt and sweat from the day that has percolated into my skin under the stage makeup. If this isn’t your game, exfoliate however you wish, and make sure you don’t scrub too hard.
STEP 4: Second Cleansing and Hair Care
Using a gentler cleanser, wash your face for a second time to make sure you clean everything off your face. At the same time, make sure you wash your hair as well, because thick stage makeup often comes with thick hairspray.
STEP 5: Moisturizing Layer
The girl who was helping me do my hair told me that to protect her skin in-between shows, she covers her whole face in a layer of petroleum jelly. While this may not work for everyone, this helped my skin survive tech week as well as two weekends of shows.
No matter what kind of artist you are, make sure that you take care of your beautiful faces!