Make-up demonstration: Creating a cat

Stage make-up can make a huge difference to the way actors look and feel, and can play a big part in helping to develop a character.

These demonstrations show you how to create three characters for the stage. The colours used here can be used for both dark and light skins.

Cat characters often appear in pantomimes and are fun to create. Click on the images below to view detailed instructions for each step.

  • Step 1

    Step 1: Apply a panel of white greasepaint down the centre of the face as shown. Fill in temples and under cheek bones with a tan greasepaint.

    Step 1: Apply a panel of white greasepaint down the centre of the face as shown. Fill in temples and under cheek bones with a tan greasepaint.

  • Step 2

    Step 2: Use an orange powder blusher to shade around the white areas.

    Step 2: Use an orange powder blusher to shade around the white areas.

  • Step 3

    Step 3: Use a green powder eyeshadow on the eyelids, extending out to the sides to create the cat's eye shape.

    Step 3: Use a green powder eyeshadow on the eyelids, extending out to the sides to create the cat's eye shape.

  • Step 4

    Step 4: Paint around the eyes witrh black eyeliner or facepaint. Paint around the nostrils for a nice neat nose. Add a line from nose to mouth then draw the mouth into a triangle shape. Add some whisker spots and whiskers.

    Step 4: Paint around the eyes witrh black eyeliner or facepaint. Paint around the nostrils for a nice neat nose. Add a line from nose to mouth then draw the mouth into a triangle shape. Add some whisker spots and whiskers.

  • Step 5

    Step 5: Using white paint, highlight the eyebrows, eyes and whiskers. Fill in the mouth shape with pink lipstick. Use translucent powder to set.

    Step 5: Using white paint, highlight the eyebrows, eyes and whiskers. Fill in the mouth shape with pink lipstick. Use translucent powder to set.

  • Step 6

    Step 6: Pop on a wig or ears to finish.

    Step 6: Pop on a wig or ears to finish.

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