Setting Clown Make-Up

Setting clown make-up - properly called "Powdering Down"- is an all-important part of finishing your facial make-up creation. The purpose of powdering is to "set" the make-up, to absorb excess moisture without leaving clumps of powder. This will also prevent your make-up from coming off while you perform!

Using about a tablespoon of setting powder, gently rub it into your powder puff to distribute it evenly. Then firmly pat, pressing the puff gently into the make-up with each pat.

Another powdering procedure common today is to have a “powder sock.” Using a new white tube sock, fill with about a cup of talcum (baby) powder - no cornstarch. Tie a knot in the sock a few inches above the powder. Gently sprinkle powder over the face, then pat the make-up with the powder sock. Continue until all makeup is covered.(Store sock in a plastic zip-lock bag.)

Excess powder can be removed by very gently dusting away with a powder or complexion brush. Some clowns lightly rinse their faces to remove excess powder, then pat dry; others simply pat the make-up with a damp cloth to absorb the excess powder.

Find make-up for different clown types here.

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