Clown Eye Makeup Tutorial

You may be here because Halloween is around the corner, or maybe Halloween is every day in your soul. But clown makeup has so many more purposes! You can use it to disguise yourself at the flower shop, you can use it to scare a child, or a favorite of mine; use it to unlock an alter ego… therapy can only take us so far. Let’s get to it. First things first. What on Earth will we need??

Clown Makeup Essentials

To achieve a convincing clown look, you'll need a specific set of tools and products. Having these items readily available will ensure a smoother application process and a more professional-looking result.

1. Makeup Sponge or Brush

This will be essential for applying the white makeup as well as touching up any mistakes you make along the way. Not to say you will make mistakes because you are perfect.

2. A Powdering Puff

You will use your puff while applying the setting powder. Also a great tool to channel your inner Hollywood movie star.

3. White Clown Makeup

For the base of your clown look, you'll need high-quality white clown makeup. Consider the type of makeup based on your skin's needs:

• Ben Nye Aqua Paint Cloud White: This is a water-based makeup, ideal if you tend to cry easily.
• Ben Nye Clown White: This is an oil-based version, recommended for a more durable finish.

4. Setting Powder

A good setting powder is crucial to prevent smudging and smearing, especially if you tend to sweat. It helps to "set" your white makeup, ensuring longevity.

• Recommended Product: Ben Nye Super White Powder.

5. Color Palette

Water-based makeup crayons are a versatile and fun choice for adding color and detail to your clown makeup.

• Recommended Product: Caran D’Ache Palette. These crayons come alive when dabbed in water, allowing for smooth application.

6. Fake Lashes

To ensure your eyes are visible and expressive amidst the makeup, false eyelashes are highly recommended for both men and women.

7. Black Eyeliner

Black eyeliner is essential for defining features and adding details. You have a couple of options:

• Crayon/Pencil: Easier for creating eyebrows or freckles.
• Marker/Pen: Better for precise detail work, such as drawing hearts or fake teardrops.

8. Mascara

Mascara can be used to thicken and enhance your eyebrows, giving them a more dramatic appearance.

9. Lipstick

Choose from a variety of colors to complete your clown look. Red, pink, or black are all popular choices.

Extra Makeup Products

For those who want to go the extra mile, consider these additional makeup products to enhance your clown persona:

• Colored Liner: Adds more detail and can create a contrasting outline for your lips.
• Rhinestones: For a touch of sparkle and glamour.
• Colored Hairspray: To change your hair color for a more dramatic effect.
• Red Nose: The quintessential clown accessory.

How to Apply Clown Makeup

Now that you have your clown makeup toolbox set and ready for world domination, it’s time to apply the makeup. Good luck!

Since I’m feeling frisky, I’m going to help you apply the makeup (virtually). Then, I will leave you with a couple of cute clown makeup ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

Types of Clown Makeup

There are several traditional styles of clown makeup:

• Joey Clown Makeup: Typically uses the colors white, black, and red.
• Auguste Clown Makeup: Always features a white face with accents of any color, but traditionally no glitter.

However, feel free to break the rules and do what you want!

Step 1: Start with a Clean Face

Simply put: WASH YOUR FACE. Strip yourself! We need a clean slate here. So go wash your face and let last night’s mascara and tomorrow’s depression wash down the drain.

Step 2: Get Your White Makeup Ready

Simply put: MIX YOUR WHITE MAKEUP WITH WATER.

If you are using Ben Nye Aqua Paint Cloud White (water-based), mix your brush or sponge in water and then with the makeup. If you are using Ben Nye Clown White (oil-based), you can apply it directly. The consistency for water-based makeup should be like watery paint. You can mix the water and makeup on your hand before applying to your face to work out the consistency.

Step 3: Apply the White Makeup

Simply put: COVER YOUR FACE IN WHITE MAKEUP.

Once you’ve gotten a good consistency, start applying directly to your face. Don’t be afraid of it, get after it! The more white you have, the more “clowny” you’ll look. Try adding a bit extra on your nose, as this area tends to rub off quickly.

Step 3.1: Apply the Setting Powder (Optional at this stage)

If you choose to only set your white makeup at this point, apply the setting powder with your puff. Pay extra attention to your forehead, nose, and chin, as these areas tend to lose makeup the quickest. This step can also be done at the very end.

Step 4: Do Your Brows

Simply put: COLOR THEM AND PUT MASCARA ON THEM.

Use your Caran D’Ache Color Palette. Choose your color, dip the crayon into water, dab off excess, and draw over your brows. Act as if the edge of your eyebrows are the line and you are a child coloring in the box. Once again, it does NOT need to be perfect. If it goes a little too far, use a tissue with some water on it to gently smear it away. Then, add a bit more white makeup to the area if you’ve taken the white off and start again with the crayon once the white has dried.

Grab that mascara: Use the mascara brush to “highlight” your eyebrow hairs. Act as if your eyebrows are your lashes and add mascara to them. It’s fabulous.

Step 5: Do Your Eyeballs

Simply put: ADD SOME COLORED EYELINER, EYESHADOW, AND ADD FAKE EYELASHES.

Use your Caran D’Ache Color Palette. Pick your color or colors for eyeliner and eyeshadow. Dab the crayon into water and wipe the excess off on your hand or towel. Apply the color just underneath your tear duct line on the bottom and above your lashes on top. It will be a bit runny so work with it. Smudge it into the white if you need. The crayons might be easier to use as eyeshadow in replacement or addition to the liner. Cover your lids with the watery paint pencil and KEEP YOUR EYES SHUT UNTIL IT DRIES.

Grab those fake lashes: Apply the eyelashes. You can highlight your eyes by adding some black eyeliner on your tear duct line and right above your lash line on your upper lid.

Step 6: Do Your Lips

Simply put: PUT SOME COLOR ON THOSE SUCKERS.

You can use any lipstick you would like. To achieve a two-tone look:

1. Use your red eyeliner to outline your lips. Color them all the way in. For bigger lips, draw right outside of your lip line.
2. Add the black lipstick to the inner parts of your lip. First, just add a little on your lower lip and use your finger to blend with the red liner. You can always add more red liner if it is not blending well.
3. Do the same for the upper lip. Apply the black lipstick on the inner part of your lip and blend into the red with your finger. Think of the “inner lip” as the area you wouldn’t touch if you were only applying lip liner.
4. If the blending isn’t going to plan, add some more red on top of the black to give it an illusion of ombré.

Step 7: Add Some Details

Simply put: MAKE IT YOUR OWN!

This is where your black eyeliner comes in handy, or really any color that makes your heart happy. Consider these detail ideas:

• Use your black marker eyeliner to draw little black hearts in the corners of your eyes.
• Draw droopy triangles under your lower eyelid.
• Add freckles.
• Draw a sun on your forehead.
• Instead of wearing a red nose, draw a red dot on your nose (think nickel-sized).
• Be a sad clown and draw an outline of a teardrop on your cheek under your eye.
• Draw eyebrows above your eyebrows.
• Make your eyes a star! Draw lines exploding out from your eyes.
• Add in smile lines.
• Add wrinkles, find your natural wrinkles and draw over them.
• Give yourself very red cheeks.
• Add a mole.
• Paint big hearts over your eyes.
• Make eyeballs on your eyelids.

Step 8: Apply the Setting Powder

Simply put: USE YOUR PUFF TO APPLY THE SETTING POWDER.

Setting powder is used to keep your makeup in place, but be warned it will make the colors on your face appear more hazy or under a fog. If you would like to keep your colors as bright as they are when first applied, apply the setting powder after Step 3. Use your puff to gently dab powder everywhere. Be careful not to put too much directly over your eyes because your fake lashes will catch the powder. Start with your forehead, move on to your nose, your cheeks, and your chin. You can also apply a bit on your lids, but be careful.

Tips for Darker Halloween Clown Makeup

For a spookier clown look, consider these additions:

• Eyeshadow: Use a dark palette eyeshadow, preferably with black, and an eyeshadow brush. Apply in a sweeping motion from your inner eye to under your eye. You can also use a black eyeliner pencil to “highlight” your bags under your eyes by drawing a line where your eyeball naturally sinks in and blending it with your eyeshadow brush.
• Wrinkles: Squish your face to find your natural wrinkles. Use a thin eyeshadow brush or black eyeliner pencil to draw/fill in your wrinkles with black eyeshadow. Blend with a brush so it doesn’t look too harsh.

Choosing the Right Clown Makeup

When selecting makeup for your clown look, consider the following:

Professional vs. Novelty Makeup

If you plan on using makeup frequently, investing in high-quality professional clown makeup from well-known brands is recommended for safety and performance. While no brand can guarantee no reactions, cheaper novelty face paints are more likely to cause them. For professional clowns who perform regularly, grease/cream-based makeup is common. This type of makeup is thick and needs to be set with powder. It can withstand significant sweating and even water sprays. Options like alcohol or silicone-based makeup also offer long-lasting wear.

Water-Based Paints

For shorter events or on cooler days, water-based paints like those from Fusion Body Art can be a good option. These can be sealed with setting spray and lipstick sealer for increased water and sweat resistance.

Primers and Sealants

If using eyeshadow, always apply a primer first to ensure the colors are bold. For water-based makeup, setting spray and lipstick sealer can enhance durability. For grease/oil/cream-based makeup, setting powder is essential.

Trusted Brands

Look for professional-grade makeup from brands such as Kryolan, Ben Nye, or Mehron. If a store only offers novelty makeup, be aware of its potentially poor quality.

Clown Makeup Aesthetics and Ideas

Clown makeup aesthetics can vary widely, from traditional looks to modern interpretations. Here are some popular elements and inspiration:

Traditional Clown Styles

• White Face Clown: Characterized by a completely white base.
• Auguste Clown: Features a flesh-toned base with white around the eyes and mouth. Often includes exaggerated blush.
• Character Clowns: These clowns embody a specific character, such as a Hobo or Tramp, with tailored makeup to reflect their persona. Hobo and Tramp clowns often use a flesh-tone base with white around the mouth and eyes, and may include a five o'clock shadow.

Modern and Artistic Interpretations

Instagram makeup artists have popularized various clown aesthetics for everyday wear. These can include:

• Jester/Harlequin Designs: Often bright and edgy, with pressed face powders and black designs for eyebrows and eyelashes.
• Gothic Clowns: Feature black and white elements with bold shapes and potentially gems or glitter.
• Pierrot/Pirouette Clowns: Depict a sad or love-struck character with cascading lines mimicking tears and specific eyebrow shapes.
• "IT"/Pennywise Inspired: A soft white base with red blended linework and a red nose can create a scary clown.

Key Makeup Elements to Consider:

• Strong Blush: Applied to the nose and cheeks.
• Extended Eyeliner: May include stylized upper or lower eyelashes drawn on.
• Raised Eyebrows: Painted above the natural eyebrows to alter expression.
• Bold Lipstick: Typically bright red.
• Shapes on Cheeks: Diamonds, circles, moons, and stars are common.
• Exaggerated Features: Larger eyes, mouths, and noses.
• Facial Hair Integration: Makeup artists can creatively work around beards and mustaches.
• Soft Blending: Achieving airbrushed-like transitions between colors.
• Eyebrow Creativity: Eyebrows can be styled like clouds or other unique shapes.
• Color Choices: Incorporating favorite colors and shapes into the design.

Makeup for Children

When applying makeup to children, opt for simple faces that don't require a heavy base color, especially for younger kids. If aiming for a scary clown look, be mindful of coulrophobia (fear of clowns) and avoid making it too terrifying. Ensure oil-based makeup is set well with baby powder, cornstarch, or setting powder to prevent smudging.

Removing Clown Makeup

Clown makeup can be highly pigmented. To remove it correctly:

1. Use an oil or oil-based makeup cleanser.
2. Wash with soap and water.
3. If staining persists, apply oil or face cream to the area and let it sit for a couple of hours or overnight before wiping away.

tags: #clown #eye #makeup