The Science Behind Cosmetics: A Deeper Look into the Chemistry of Makeup in Theatre

Makeup is an essential part of costuming and is acknowledged as the art of transformation. It allows for actors to embody their characters in attempts to create an artistic representation, whether it be on stage or on screen, but there is more to makeup than just applying it freely on our faces. Stanislavski, the famous Russian theatre practitioner, is quoted saying “make-up and costume have an enormous significance and constitute half of the success, even for the most brilliant and talented actor” (Strenkovsky 1). When it comes to makeup, whether for theatrical or everyday wear, we should recognize that there are many things to consider such as what makes up the makeup since it is not always safe. For my thesis, I dive into some of the history of makeup in theatre as well as compare organic, synthetic, and theatrical lipsticks in areas such as durability, pigmentation, and texture in an attempt to answer the question of whether wearing chemical-filled makeup is worth the risks.