Drow powder make-up tutorial

First of all…. There are several types of make-up and several different methods to using them. I am no expert nor do I pretend to be.  The purpose of this tutorial is to inform anyone of the methods to using powder make-ups.  I do have the knowledge of how to use other types of make-ups and plan on posting tutorials for them as I get them. All 5 of the drow I walked with at dragon*con have different methods.  If you have any make-up questions regarding other types of make-ups, cakes, grease, airbrush, etc. ask and I may know the answer… if I don’t I know where to find it.  

First off…  Know your skin.  Kellyn’s skin can take almost all the make-ups well, mine doesn’t.  
These are the things you will need.

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Ben nye Charcoal powder
Ben nye snow white hair color (small bottle)
Mehron Liquiset
Mehron velvet finish (optional also derma shield works, haven’t used it don’t remember who makes it)
Ben nye final seal or mehron barrier spray (I HIGHLY recommend final seal. They both work in different ways I have had more success with final seal)
2 Blush brushes
Small container
Make-up sponge
Spirit gum/remover (remover optional. I just pull the ears off. The remover can be used to clean them afterwards to prolong use.)
Setting powder is another GREAT Idea. I don’t use it, but I should.
Contact lenses (optional but recommended)
Noxema facial pads or other make-up remover … the soap at the marriot is awesome!!!!
Step 1
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Wash your face, makeup goes on better to a clean, dry face. Then put in your contacts apply spirit gum to the inside of the ears and slip them over your ears. Let them dry and adhere to your ears. Wash your hands if you get spirit gum on your fingers.  
Step 2
Many people have a problem with make-up flaking off of them no matter what they do. (me)  
Pump the velvet finish in small amounts and spread over the surface you are going to apply the make-up to. This will change the way your skin feels and make sure you have a good coverage (anywhere missed may flake off later) REMEMBER A little goes a LONG way.  
Step 3
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In your small container pour in some powder (still working on exact measurements this took a few trys to get right) then add liquiset. Mix thoroughly dip you sponge in the solution and rub on a piece of skin (I usually use the back of my hand.) If your skin shows through, you need more powder. If it is chunky or really thick (like sludge) you need more liquiset. REMEMBER only add small amounts at a time.
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Step 4
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Dip your sponge in the paint and rub it on the area that shows.  A great tip is to use barrier spray first then paint. This will help with cleaning later. (I haven’t tried it. I like the LONG shower cleaning Kellyn ) paint small areas at a time.  The make-up will start to clump a bit and stick to body hairs. At this point, LIGHTLY dip your brush into your charcoal powder container and brush over the painted area before the paint dries.  This will give you the even tone look.  (THIS CAN  MAKE A HUGE MESS! Prepare your area by putting down plastic sheeting. That’s what we do. But don’t worry too much, it comes up with soap and water.)

Step 5
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After you have painted an area, brush setting powder over it. This is basically neutral talc that will keep the make-up on your skin instead of clothes or other people.  It also cuts down on the sweating and acts as a deodorant. Then you sprits the final seal over the area. Final seal is an alcohol based sealer. This will not sweat off and stays until you remove it with remover or soap and water.  
Step 6
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Brush the hair color over your eyebrows and put on your wig.

I still have problems with this method lasting all day. I have switched the liquiset for baby oil and found a GREAT success, but the cleanup takes longer. I am still working the bugs out.
----------------------------------------------------
Removal.
Follow directions on your choice of make-up remover.
I prefer to use the noxema facial wipes. (the astringent anti-acne pads). You have to use lots of them, but they work well for the face around the eyes, and inside your ears. It also helps keep you from breaking out if your skin type breaksout from this type of make-up.  To remove your ears, you can use the spirit gum remover and a q-tip and rub it little by little, or do what I do… pull them off. It kinda hurts a bit, but it gets the job done FAST any leftover spirit gum on your ears will come off in the shower. When scrubbing in the shower, use a citric base soap. The marriot’s soap is the best soap I have EVER used. A close alternative is softsoap orange body wash.  If you are concerned with the mess in the bathtub after your shower, after it dries you can pour some body wash on the tub and clean it up. I usually clean the bathroom on Sunday at a convention and get it clean in a short amount of time, the maids probably don’t like the white towels being black, but whatever…

The only problems we have had with the make-up rubbing off is on areas that missed the final seal or when we eat. The mouth/nose area gets abused pretty badly when eating.   A tip to look into is stipling blues and purples into the black or highlighting with these colors. I have yet to do this, but dr. skull suggests it every time I see him, so I may try it next year.  Many times when posing for pics, the guys will put their arm around Kellyn.  Her back and her shoulders are exposed and we have yet to see anyone rub black onto them (even the guy that was wearing a white dress shirt didn’t get black on him).  Without the velvet finish my skin WILL NOT hold the make-up and I cannot touch anything. I HIGHly suggest the use of gloves in your costuming. This way you can touch things.  Also ladies can add their chose of eye shadows and lipsticks.

in the pics, the left side was not brusjed to show the effects of evening the tone out.
Special thanks to blood-matron.deviantart.com for doing the work herself and taking the pics, and being the model! I just typed up the tutorial!