Highlighting

Definition

Highlighting refers to the technique used in makeup design to enhance certain features of the face by applying lighter shades or reflective products to specific areas. This technique creates dimension, drawing attention to those highlighted areas while subtly shaping the overall appearance. Effective highlighting can transform a performer’s look on stage, ensuring their facial expressions are visible from a distance and that they stand out under various lighting conditions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Highlighting is typically applied to the high points of the face, such as the cheekbones, brow bones, and bridge of the nose.
2. In theater production, highlighting helps ensure that an actor's features are visible and expressive, especially under strong stage lights.
3. Different products can be used for highlighting, including cream, liquid, and powder formulations, each offering unique finishes and effects.
4. The choice of highlight shade should complement the performer's skin tone for a more natural appearance and effective visual impact.
5. Over-highlighting can lead to a washed-out look; therefore, balance with contouring is essential for creating depth and dimension.

Review Questions

• How does highlighting impact a performer’s appearance on stage compared to everyday makeup?
  • Highlighting significantly enhances a performer's appearance on stage by ensuring their facial features are visible from a distance. Unlike everyday makeup, which may be more subtle, stage makeup needs to stand out under intense lighting. Highlighting accentuates key areas of the face, allowing actors to convey emotions more effectively to the audience. This technique is crucial for maintaining character visibility during performances.
• Discuss how blending techniques are essential for effective highlighting in makeup design.
  • Blending techniques are critical for effective highlighting because they ensure that highlighted areas transition smoothly into the rest of the makeup. Poor blending can result in harsh lines and an unnatural appearance. By seamlessly merging highlights with other makeup elements like contouring, artists create a polished and cohesive look. This attention to detail is particularly important in theater production where characters need to look convincing from all angles.
• Evaluate the significance of selecting appropriate highlight shades based on different skin tones for theatrical performances.
  • Selecting appropriate highlight shades based on different skin tones is crucial for achieving the desired visual effect in theatrical performances. The right shade enhances the performer’s natural features while ensuring they remain visible under varying lighting conditions. Using shades that do not match can lead to a stark contrast that detracts from character believability. This careful consideration supports the overall production quality and helps maintain audience engagement through authentic representation.

Related terms

Contouring: The application of darker shades of makeup to create shadows on the face, helping to define and sculpt its shape.

Illuminator: A product used to give the skin a luminous glow, often containing shimmer or reflective particles, which can be used in conjunction with highlighting.

Blending: The process of smoothing out makeup transitions between colors or products to achieve a natural and seamless look.