How do they apply all that green make up onto the actresses playing Elphaba in &

Question:Is it difficult to remove at the end of the day and how long does it take to put it on? Does she need to re apply in between matinee and evening shows? Obviously she can t leave the theatre for dinner. How does it all work huh? Can anyone shed any light on this? Thanks.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Is it difficult to remove at the end of the day and how long does it take to put it on? Does she need to re apply in between matinee and evening shows? Obviously she can t leave the theatre for dinner. How does it all work huh? Can anyone shed any light on this? Thanks.

The makeup is from MAC and is called Chromacake. The color is Landscape Green.

Its water based so there are no problems with allergies related to ingredients in makeup. They use wide Japanese brushes to do her face, neck and hands. Then smaller brushes to make sure they get everything. Purple blush and eyeshadow are used because the green flattens. The eyebrows are colored in with black. A setting powder is then applied so she can touch other people, kiss, etc...without the makeup coming off on everyone and everything.

During the intermission, they make her look more like an adult than a Shiz school girl. It takes about 30 minutes before each show to apply the makeup and about 10 minutes in the shower after to 'de-greenify'. She also wears a green body suit that blends into the makeup.

Also, she always has a green light on her to accentuate the makeup. She washes it off after each show. The makeup is very light and several of the actresses who play her say they get very used to wearing the green because it isn't uncomfortable or anything like that.

At first they airbrushed it on, but decided not to because the particles flying around weren't good for people singing and it wouldn't hold so everyone and everything Idina (Elphaba original b'way cast) touched would have green on them.

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To the answerer below me: It is not your regular face paint, what you posted can irritate pores and cause allergic reactions. Stage makeup is different from just costume makeup. Stage makeup is meant to look as realistic as possible, but costume makeup is just for fun.

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hi
its face paint and you spray a mist of water onto the pallete and apply with a small piece of sponge, its quite easy to put on and soap and water will get it off no problem, it doesnt take too long to apply, if you have a practice and time yourself, it might no need to be re applied betwwen shows, you might need just a touch up, take a look at this website for more info.
http://www.facepaintingdesigns.co.uk/Sta...

They originally tried doing it with an airbrush, but the make-up designed as well as Idina (original Broadway Elphaba) decided that it wasn't very good for their lungs to be inhaling all the make-up flying around.

There are a few video's on youtube which show different actresses getting the make-up on.

broadway.com did a video on this about a year ago, it shows how elphaba gets ready before a show, and lots of other stuff,
he is a youtube link

btw its in 2 parts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6v5tX_J57...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvY08zNYN...