Interview Makeup Kit?

Joshua Milligan

Joshua Milligan

Well-known member
To the videographers of this group, do any of you carry some sort of small makeup kit with you when you’re filming? I know absolutely nothing about makeup or brushes or anything like that, but I do know that sometimes when filming interviews when I don’t have a makeup artist in the budget, I will get the infamous shine on a person’s face from oily skin. I wanted to see if or what people carry in their bag to help eliminate this.
 
My colleague films many interviews and has told me he always carries some sort of facial makeup powder that neutralizes the oil or sweat that causes the shine. I can't remember the brand here's a video on the subject. https://youtu.be/srwsr1gM-Mw?t=139 Being a guy I was shocked how much makeup costs even a tiny bottle.
 
I always have a makeup kit to touch-up men. If a woman has an issue, I will discreetly and politely ask them to fix it themselves. But most men do not carry their own makeup kit, so I am ready to do it. I have a barbershop-style bib and several kinds of makeup depending upon what they need. Covergirl loose powder is my favorite. 99% of the interviews I shoot with men involves adding some makeup to their face to reduce shine. Only one man, in my entire career, has ever declined. In my experience, just getting someone to wipe their face down is not good enough.

I will say that cool-running LED lights have made it 10x easier than it was back when we were shooting with tungsten.
 
Clean and Clear sheets are inexpensive, disposable, and effective. It's a blotting paper that is pretty inert (ie- doesn't cause a rash, IME). And as far as I can tell (which really isn't that far), if someone is wearing makeup, they usually know how to use the sheets to reduce shine without messing up their makeup (or they can quickly correct). Nice because you hand them to the person; you don't need to get in their face. Available all over the place.
https://www.cleanandclear.com/classi...sorbing-sheets

I also have some translucent rice powder and disposable makeup brushes. The rice powder is supposed to be hypoallergenic. And the disposable makeup brushes; well who wants to use a brush someone else used? But I've only used it a few times. Usually the blotting paper is enough. Or as others have said, many people know how to do their own makeup. And I'm glad when there's a HMU artist around.

Check out the Clean and Clear sheets, try them on yourself.

Semi-related:

This is a great documentary (and the basis of that Jessica Chastain film):

 
Obviously there are many ways to get the job done, and what works for one person may not work for another. But I think we can all agree that bringing along a makeup kit and knowing how/when to use it is essential.
 
Yep, I carry a fairly large make-up I'd recommend anti-shine cream and some absorbent wipes are a good place to start. I try to do the absolute minimum make-up as possible - you don't want the on-screen talent to start feeling self-conscious.
 
Man, I don’t usually feel overwhelmed when it comes to video, but this conversation for whatever reason feels overwhelming haha. I guess it’s just that I know absolutely nothing about makeup or anything like that as I’ve always relied on bringing artists in for that. Of course that’s not always possible, so I do need that to learn what to do.

I agree with Liam in that I only want to do the absolute minimum as I don’t want to make anyone feel self conscious. Plus, being that I have no experience in this area, I would likely do more harm than good if I were to try and be complex with makeup.

I like the idea of the Clean and Clear blotting sheets. That seems pretty easy. I also like the idea of the powders. Are there any you would recommend? I wish they made a simple kit for videographers that simply was designed around removing oils from skin. I would just buy the kit and learn how to use it haha.
 
The great thing about the Clean and Clear sheets is that you hand one to the talent, and they do the blotting. Powders: Um, I still have some in an unmarked thing. Don't know about brand.

One other thing that's worked for me (and I need to buy more) is this ProMatte gel developed by a local (to me) makeup artist. I don't know her, but I know lots of people who do. They recommended the gel as something easy to use and effective. Not cheap, but apparently better than the alternatives (she developed it when a popular off-the-shelf matting gel went off the market).
http://www.promatte.net/about.html

But really, for simple stuff, the Clean and Clear sheets work, even when there's a fair amount of light on a bald head. Either that, or I get out of my depth...

Thanks for the question and the discussion! I picked up some good information.
 
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Joshua - thanks for this reminder. And Jim beat me to it - as I took a phone call in the midst of typing this reply.
In the same manner that most of us get a bit of ruffled feathers -or unnerved - or at least semi-irritated by non DP's shooting footage for us - I would say the same applies here...hire a good make-up artist when the job requires it. Skin color / texture is not a one-size fits all sort of thing.
Also Covid has maybe changed the way I think about this some too. I've heard good things about the Clean & Clear sheets that Jim recommended - but not tried them myself.
But also remembered an episode of Meet the Gaffer that featured a make-up artist who'd developed a nice product to simply get rid of shine - which is what you were looking for in your OP:
https://youtu.be/QfFN5aRM7LM

I've just ordered this myself. Will report back to you once I've tried it out.
 
Jim Feeley said:
The great thing about the Clean and Clear sheets is that you hand one to the talent, and they do the blotting. Powders: Um, I still have some in an unmarked thing. Don't know about brand.

One other thing that's worked for me (and I need to buy more) is this ProMatte gel developed by a local (to me) makeup artist. I don't know here, but I know lots of people who do. They recommended as something easy to use and effective. Not cheap, but apparently better than the alternatives (she developed it when a popular off-the-shelf matting gel went off the market).
http://www.promatte.net/about.html
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This is what I was thinking and couldn't remember. There as similar makeup matt finish gels. The benefit is you don't need a brush to apply but like I said it's expensive $24 1/2 oz
 
How do you apply the gel? Does the talent rub into their own skin like sunscreen?

BTW, I only guarantee to get rid of shine, which is all 99% of men need. I don't do makeup on women, but I will direct them to fix it themselves when I see something is amiss. Any makeup needs beyond that are not my business.
 
Doug Jensen said:
How do you apply the gel? Does the talent rub into their own skin like sunscreen?

BTW, I only guarantee to get rid of shine, which is all 99% of men need. I don't do makeup on women, but I will direct them to fix it themselves when I see something is amiss. Any makeup needs beyond that are not my business.
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Yes, just spread the gel kinda like sunscreen. With a lighter touch. And don't use too much. Look at Luke's/Meet The Gaffer's video that Mark links to. I just scrolled...go to about 6:15...

I'm with you on how I interact with people sans makeup and those with.
 
Coming from a news background, you would think I would carry something, but this topic came up YEARS ago and another guy that I've been shooting with for decades, now(who has a stills background and used to hire MU artists regularly) said he never did and never would, because of liability. And now with covid, forget it.
 
Run&Gun said:
Coming from a news background, you would think I would carry something, but this topic came up YEARS ago and another guy that I've been shooting with for decades, now(who has a stills background and used to hire MU artists regularly) said he never did and never would, because of liability. And now with covid, forget it.
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I wouldn't expect news guys to carry make-up. It's different in the corporate/brand/marketing world as you are paid to make people look great. On many jobs there will be hair/make-up/wardrobe folk but often there won't be so it's good to have a plan for how to deal with sweaty or shiny talent.

As for Covid, individual wipes, as Jim mentions earlier are the answer. We're mainly talking about avoiding blemishes and controlling unwanted shine here, I don't think anyone is applying the full Ru Paul:)
 
When I assisted at sessions to shoot office portrait photos, ie. the 8x10s you'd see in the reception area for example, the photographer would seat the person and check in the viewfinder for excessive shine. If it called for it he would go for a small tin of what looked to me like a compressed cake of powder and it was dry. Just under 5 seconds to dust some on the bridge of the nose most of the time. He didn't refer to it as makeup; or fixing you up or making you look better. None of those things are going to make many people look more relaxed and confident in a photo. In other words he was doing it for himself so he could do his job, not for them. Dab and done, back to shooting.
 
Man guys, this is perfect. This is exactly the kind of product I need.

I in no way am looking to replace a makeup artist and love working with them. But as we all know not every job calls for them. So if I can bring some Clean and Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets and a couple small bottles of ProMatte, I would feel much more prepared than I am today. And the fact that they can apply it themselves is perfect.

I appreciate the conversation and advice guys. This was a topic I haven't seen much on here and I'm glad there's some interest in it.
 
I have been using the bamboo charcoal blotting papers. It doesn't get rid of all of the excess oil, but it seems less likely to mess up makeup or cause a skin reaction as the J&J oil removal sheets with the active ingredients. I don't know for sure, though.
 
Joshua Milligan said:
Man, I don’t usually feel overwhelmed when it comes to video, but this conversation for whatever reason feels overwhelming haha. I guess it’s just that I know absolutely nothing about makeup or anything like that as I’ve always relied on bringing artists in for that. Of course that’s not always possible, so I do need that to learn what to do.

I agree with Liam in that I only want to do the absolute minimum as I don’t want to make anyone feel self conscious. Plus, being that I have no experience in this area, I would likely do more harm than good if I were to try and be complex with makeup.

I like the idea of the Clean and Clear blotting sheets. That seems pretty easy. I also like the idea of the powders. Are there any you would recommend? I wish they made a simple kit for videographers that simply was designed around removing oils from skin need suggestion for makeup kit from Halloween Store. I would just buy the kit and learn how to use it haha.
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Hello. Can anyone recommend essential products that I should include? I'm aiming for a natural look suitable for everyday wear but would also love the flexibility to experiment with more dramatic styles. Specific product recommendations (foundation, concealer, eyeshadow palettes, brushes, etc.) and any tips for a beginner would be greatly appreciated. Additionally, what are some good budget-friendly brands? Excited to hear your suggestions and advice!
 
I have a colleague who does a fair amount of interviews. He has some sort of concealing base makeup to take the shine off the subjects face from lights if they are sweating or have oily skin and disposable pads.
 
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