From starlet to superstar

MANILA, Philippines - Trivia time: Did you know the cast of the stage adaptation of Gene Kelly’s Singin’ in the Rain do their own makeup? That’s hardly a surprise in the ruthless world of theater, and when you do eight shows weekly, it’s no surprise their red lips are so defined and their winged liners are on point, rain or shine, quick change or otherwise. How do they do it?

MAC is the official makeup sponsor of the production’s Manila staging at the Solaire Theater, which was a delight for everyone in the team because they already swear by MAC. Taryn Lee-Hudson plays the squeaky-voiced silent film queen Lina Lamont who gets pie in her face at the start of the musical. She reveals it is actually shaving cream, and her base, MAC’s Studio Fix doesn’t budge despite this. “It holds up pretty well even if I have only a minute to touch up,” she claims.

MAC’s training manager Jaycee Matias introduced Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation to the girls, the brand’s latest satin finish formula which is basically everything-proof for 24 hours. Now available in stores, Jaycee’s tip is to pick one shade number darker than your usual Studio Fix shade and match the shade to your neck.

As Singin’ in the Rain comes to a close this weekend, Jaycee teaches that the cast’s makeup technique is easy as it is long-lasting, just in case you find yourself in the “splash zone” or any messy situation. Trying to save a made-up face shouldn’t keep you from living in the moment or missing out on that glorious feeling. Be happy again!

Winged perfection

The perfect winged liner, even to the most talented of makeup artists, takes practice, and Jaycee dishes out the holy grail of tips. Prevent creasing with MAC’s 24-Hour Eye Base applied all over your lids then tap a light, matte shadow like Brulee into your eyelid with a fluffy brush. Save the smokey eye neutrals; this will make your liner pop. After you spatula out MAC’s Black Track in Black Black, use a 208 angled brush, and do short strokes. Slowly and surely is the way to build wings that are sharp and symmetrical. “The trick is to begin at the outer corner of the eyes, fill out and go thinner as you go inwards,” Jaycee offers. A light (not necessarily white) eye pencil, like the shade Fascinating, applied on the waterline is a one-second trick that makes the eyes look brighter. The trick for a flirty flutter is in how volumizing mascara is applied. After you curl the top lashes, apply it “downward first, to make sure each lash is coated, and then upward, feathered toward the outer corner of the eye, while the lower lash line is feathered inward,” instructs Jaycee.

Now while only Bethany Dickson’s Kathy Selden gets drenched — singin’ and dancin’ in the artificial rain — Taryn’s Lina has her share of the waterworks — crying, as any silent film superstar with a grating voice forced to retire is wont to do. But of course Lina’s eye makeup stays put the entire time.

That red lip classic thing

If you have a great voice and you know it, embellish the orifice. Bethany’s Cathy had the good sense to use a technique to make her lip color last. It doesn’t only mean fewer touch-ups. For her kissing scenes with Don Lockwood, played by Duane Alexander, sealed-in color means less mess for her, Duane, and Taryn.

For vivid red lips that just beg to be kissed, prepare for action. Apply lip conditioner, and “let it marinate the lips first,” Jaycee says, and then blot if off for a matte finish. Slick on Prep+Prime Lip, going around the edges of the lips to prevent smudging and feathering later on. When wearing any bold lip color, start with a lip liner so the color adheres to the lips. MAC’s lip pencil in Cherry is the perfect ‘50s screen siren shade. Apply it in short strokes on the center of the lower lip for precision. On the top lip, first outline the cupid’s bow, then fill and work your way out from the center. Top if off with MAC’s best-selling lipstick Ruby Woo, a matching cherry red, applied with the 242 brush for more control, starting at the center of the lips. Clean the edges with an angled brush dipped in concealer. And you’re ready for your close up! And kissing scenes, too. Not to mention the comfort food dinner after.