Male makeup comes in may levels and degrees, you have the shine control that you see for most interviews and corporate headshots, the minimal coverage and “natural” makeup you find on film and every step that increases to full face.

Below are a few tips for doing male blemish control for TV/Film and additional tips for Grooms on their big day.

Blemish Control for TV:

Oil control and shine control is the main concern for this type of makeup. The client is do be fully mattified with very, very minimal coverage of makeup to ensure the most natural of appearances. Products used are very lightly applied and the main focus is the reduction of shine. If you have time to do a more thorough application, use the following steps:

Mattify and cleanse with Micellar water and a cotton swab. Let fully dry

Add Mehron Skin Prep Pro, or other such facial antiperspirant to hair line and t-zone. Allow to fully dry.

Apply a light moisturizer as needed to any dry zones on the client’s face/.

Prime very lightly if needed with a mattifying primer over any enlarged pores. Apply with sponge and allow to dry.

For undereye circles, eyelid pigmentation and any other pigmentation blemishes use RCMA cream foundation and apply very lightly with a sponge, fingertips for a firm small domed blender. Buff away all excessive product to avoid any risk of creasing under the stage lights.

Set entire face with RCMA Translucent Setting Powder or Ben Nye Colorless Setting Powder, these are your best options for film and will avoid any ashy appearance on camera. Set well then buff away all excessive powder with a dry domed blender to remove any risk of causing an ashy effect on camera.

Last but not least tame that facial hair using a mascara spoolie and if needed a spritz of hairspray on the spoolie.

Now, if you don’t have time for any of that do these five steps:

Drape your client

Moisturize under eyes and any dry patches.

Conceal very lightly under eyes and over lids, buff excess off thoroughly.

Set entire face well with setting powder, buff excess off thoroughly.

Groom facial hair.

Now for our lovely grooms. They take a little more TLC and you will certainly have more time to pamper them on their special day. You still want to keep a light hand; however, the lighting and type of photography will allow a little more product if needed.

Mattify hairline and t-zone with Mehron Skin Prep Pro

Moisturize under eyes and any dry patches

Apply lip balm and let set. That first kiss should be a pleasant experience for both parties!

Apply color correction to any blemishes as needed. Buff excess off thoroughly before apply a very light layer of concealer under eyes and on lids and any where else you might need a very, very slight evening out of tone.

Set thoroughly with Ben Nye Colorless setting powder (darker tones for clients of darker skin tones) and buff off excess thoroughly.

Groom facial hair, spraying as needed to control brows and beards.

Additional options your client may benefit from and appreciate:

A touch of very soft brown liner to top lash line

A touch of brown mascara. Once you apply a single coat take a clean wand and brush out the lashes thoroughly so that they are only very slightly tinted.

A touch of brow mascara, very lightly applied and very thoroughly brushes out just to leave a slight tint to the hairs.

And there you have it, some tips on Male Blemish Control Makeup.

Method Makeup Academy, Sacramento’s Makeup School