Lighting is everything! Well, not completely. But I emphasize this because it really plays such an important role on how your makeup will look. Realizing the type of lighting you will be standing under while on stage will help you better understand what type of makeup applications will be best.
You can test this yourself at home. Simply take a flashlight, starting with it above your head, then slowly move it forward until you reach the front of your face. Notice how your face is affected in the different angles of the light? As you can see, the more light you have in front of your face, the more flattering it will be on your makeup.
Most competition stages are lit to showcase the physiques on stage – which means most lights are placed high above the head. This creates hard shadows, which may be acceptable on the body but aren’t so flattering for the face – sometimes even to the degree where your eyes can look like two black holes! It would be great if every stage had “beauty pageant” lights, but that is not always the case.
There are actually a few venues that do have more frontal lighting that illuminate the face beautifully. These are the stages where you can go with a heavier smokey eye, if you prefer, because the lighting will be positioned properly to showcase it. Here is a perfect example of the same make-up I did on IFBB Pro Bikini competitor Amanda Latona – who loves her eyes smokey – for two different contests with different lighting setups. In the two photos below, you can clearly see how lighting affects the look of make-up in these two options.
So how can you make sure you look your best every time you step on stage? Here are five tips that can help.
1 Do Your Research
More and more NPC contests are getting coverage through the various media outlets, and it is becoming easier and easier to find photos from these contests online. When preparing for a competition, look at pictures of competitors from past contests at the same venue to see what the stage lighting is like.
2 Go Light
Choosing light-reflective makeup formulas that will help reflect light from your face will be best. In most stage lighting situations, it’s best to stay away from dark matte colors on your eyes.
3 Sparkle and glow
With darker shadows – used in the crease of the eye – pick finishes that have a shimmer or glow. This also applies to your blush and lip colors. Also, try a light color on the eyelids that have some sparkle, frost or shimmer to catch as much light as possible.
3 Shade Different Areas Differently
When working with darker foundations while trying to match your face to your darkly tanned body, use the darker shade up your neck and around the perimeter of your face so your head looks like it is attached to your body. Go a shade or two lighter on the center of your face to create more lightness, so your face doesn’t look too dark and muddy. Make sure not to go too much lighter than your body. The stage lights are coming from above and the hard light source will be hitting your face and then falling onto the rest of the body – which means your face will already be brightened and/or washed out just from the lights alone.
3 Find Your Photo Op!
Finally, using a shimmery highlighter is another great way to create that extra glow on the skin. Ultimately there is only so much you can do with the type of lighting you have to work with. So, for some of your best lighting pics, try to get in on some of the backstage photos that are taken with a flash (light) on the photographers’ cameras. When using your own camera or phone, remember to always turn the flash on. Often these will be your most flattering photos!
Here are some great makeup picks to try:
ABOUT NANCY
Nancy Jambazian is a Los Angeles based make-up & hair artist who parallels her work in the beauty, fashion, celebrity and fitness industries, with over 20 years of experience. Her knowledge as an esthetician also lends to her expertise in creating a flawless complexion as the foundation to creating her looks upon. Her lifelong passion for interior design and renovation lends to her appreciation for the “process of transformation”. She understands, just as in painting a house, the proper “prep work” is essential to creating a beautiful quality finished product. Being a perfectionist, she welcomes challenges and always pushes herself to experiment and create new and innovative solutions. Believing in the importance of listening and communicating with her clients she is always open to new ideas and concepts, while working hard as a team player.
