I asked ~RollerBoyjeremy if I could include her step-by-step process for drow makeup application as a blog entry for the group and she gracefully obliged. Her knowledge has made a great impact on how I do my own makeup for costuming and these tips have saved me from a lot of headache and heartache. For anyone doing drow makeup for the first time, the following process will help you avoid make-up meltdown! And trust me… we've all been there!  Without further ado...

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STEP 1:
If you sweat A LOT, apply Mehron No sweat
[link]
You can use this like an astringent, then let it dry.

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STEP 2:
Using a patting method, apply your choice of cream makeup.
I like Ben Nye Clown series in black best, But Proface now has a cream that stands up really well. I had one of my sweaty guys wear it in a photo shoot all day and it held up amazingly.

Ben Nye Clown Series
[link]
Proface Cream
[link]

Take a make up wedge and pat the makeup on your face for an even coverage. Apply it like foundation and try not to pull or smear. If you do smear, the coverage will be more sheer. Just pat afterwards to even out the tone.
(*KMCgeijyutsuka's note: I always try to remember the phrase, "pat for matte, and smear for sheer!")

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STEP 3:
Apply Ben Nye Neutral Set Setting Powder
[link]

With a large powder puff and I use an old cigar box, press the puff into the powder then press the powder into your makeup. Don't press too hard but don't 'puff' it on. You need to really work it and get it in there. Let it set in the makeup for a minute. This sets the oil in the makeup and makes it more durable. Don't be distressed at this stage if you look like a drow with some weird plague.

Take a big Fluffy soft brush like this one:
[link]
Or this is mine:
[link]

Then carefully brush off the excess powder without rubbing off the black. Trust me, it will be hard to rub off that black of you have set the makeup right. The best part about the neutral set powder method is that it will make the black look more like actual skin than just applying a straight flat black pigment.

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STEP 4:
(This step is crucial to getting a natural look.)
Apply Ben Nye Lumier in egg plant, or deep purple
[link]
You can get these colors separate, however I find I use this palette all the time. I bought it 4 years ago, and it is the MOST used makeup item in my kit. It lasts forever, and I love it. As blush/effects makeup goes it's the bomb!

Take a blush brush, and work the deep purples into your cheeks, eyelids and contours. Blush your lips and other face parts with a light color in purple or dark blue as well. Remember, drow are not solid black, and like humans they have blood, and so will blush-flush and have tones.

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STEP 5:
Apply white to your eyelashes and eyebrows using an eyelash brush like this:
[link]

Dip the brush into Mehron Paradise Palette
[link]
or Ben Nye White
[link]
and work that into your eye brows and eye lashes.

Ben Nye makes a white eye lash formula and also a white hair cover, but I find both flake during the day and give you "drow spots" so Paradise works best.
(*KMCgeijyutsuka's note: I have used a MAC Cosmetics eyebrow pencil in white and a mascara from Kryolan in white to do the same thing above, but RollerBoyJeremy is RIGHT, those methods do flake sometimes in the elements and I've found her methods are tried and true when you want lasting staying power!)

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STEP 6:
Spray yourself with Ben Nye Final Seal:
[link]
Final seal was invented by a birthday clown who was out doors all day and was tired of her makeup dripping on her costume. It is a makeup setter for birthday clowns and It works!

Now I can touch my makeup, rub it, and even get hit in the face. It isn't coming off. I have had children touch it too. At conventions people tend to get "wierded-out" by it!

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STEP 7:
Don the perfect wig! Here are my favorite shops online:

Paula Young
[link]
This shop has some GREAT wigs. The Paula Young #60 color is perfect and the wigs are comfy and the prices are great. These are wigs for people to wear all day long, and they have great wig accessories.

Cosplay wigs USA
[link]
Japanese synthetic wigs are great too. I have some GREAT high quality wigs from this shop.

My favorite seller on ebay is:
[link]
I have 4 wigs from this seller- all are really good!
One is pictured here: [link]

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Check out ~RollerBoyjeremy's artwork and costuming to see the fruits of this masterful artist's labor! You won't be disappointed!