Previously, we discussed on this site why men who must interact with the media, especially the electronic media, need to get over any hang-ups they may have, and they have many, and make it a habit to use television make-up in order to “level the playing field.”

What do I mean by “to level the playing field?”

Why Should Men Use Makeup For TV?

Simple. Most people, most men, especially men with dark beard lines or oily skin, are not flattered by the television camera. Make-up is needed to even out skin tones, hide imperfections such as pimples or brown spots caused by sun exposure, and to give your face a subtle and healthy glow that will make you look better on someone’s TV or computer screen.

If you work in television, you benefit from the advice of professional make-up artists. If you don’t work in TV, it is a good idea to seek one out in the professional trades or ask a local TV station where to find one and hire that person for an hour or two to show you what to do.

Forget about the macho crap–the “toughest” dudes on TV ALL wear make-up…so get over it.

Step by Step Guide To Buying and Using Television Make-up For Men

1) The first step is hardly shocking–find a place near you where you can buy make-up. The larger drug chains such as CVS usually have a wide selection.

2) Don’t waste time looking for something that says “Men’s Make-up” or “Make-up for Television.” Ain’t gonna find it. Brace yourselves guys–you will be buying the very same make-up your wife or girlfriend does. If it helps, bring them along and pretend the items are being purchased for them. People will see through it, but you’ll feel like you pulled the wool over everyone’s eyes.

3) You will need to buy a bag of latex (if you have medical issues with Latex, other material is available) make-up wedges or round sponges to apply the foundation make-up.

4) What’s “foundation make-up” you ask? Simple…it’s the stuff you will smear all over your face to cover the areas where you shave, your nose and your forehead. It is the MOST important of all the items to get right. Get make-up too dark for you and you’ll look like a painted doll; get make-up that is too light for your complexion and you will look like Casper the Friendly Ghost. Usually, getting a color just slightly darker than your natural skin color will do the trick. (Foundation make-up for African-Americans is a bit more complicated. But, there is a wide range of products out there that can be used.)

5) Next-up—a product that can be used to conceal dark areas under your eyes. Care to guess what it is called????

6) Compact powder. This is the one item that tends to freak dudes out the most if they are not used to the TV routine…something about a powder puff that doesn’t sit well with most guys.

7) Make-up removal wipes to—well, to remove the make-up when done.

Years ago, almost all movie and television performers used pancake make-up…This guy named Max Factor was king of that in the golden age of Hollywood. But, it dries like plastic on your face and doesn’t allow you to sweat through it. The result: Acne breakouts.

Today, you can get makeup in liquid,cream and stick form..they are lighter and look more natural on camera.

The stuff you bought for your eye bags should go on first..just a bit and smoothed out under the eye. It will help,especially if you had a wild night!

9) Take your sponge or Latex wedge, pour some foundation makeup on it (or swipe the wedge over the make-up stick) and go to work on your face.
For a guy, the goal is simple–If people notice you are wearing TV makeup off camera, you are wearing too much! You should just have a healthy glow, but a natural looking one. And, it should certainly never be apparent on camera.

10) Once the foundation is laid (see why it’s called foundation?) it is time for powder. The powder is needed to hide any shine caused by oily skin…so, you want to apply it with special attention to an area around your forehead, nose and upper-lip…an area that forms a sort of triangle. Not too much powder or you will look like one of those British wigs worn by judges in the UK.

Now, the MOST important part….look in the mirror in a well lit room. If you look like Bozo,start all over again.

You should be able to wear the TV make-up with comfort through any on camera interview and even hours after if you want—and, you may want to if you intend to meet any large public gathering (reporters,shareholds,fans,critics..etc) later on.

11) Remember to take it off using those handy wipes..two should do the trick but always wash your face with soap and water afterwards.

The advent of High Definition television has caused a whole new set of problems and challenges, more for men than women. Regular TV makeup tends to look phony on HD TV..so men need to use less. But, that can be counter-productive since less make-up means less coverage of problem areas. New make-ups and techniques (spray on make-up)have been developed for HD TV, but that is for another time and place.

If you still have some reservations about using TV make-up because you think people will think you are less of a man…think of Ronald Reagan. Remember those pictures when he was president chopping wood and riding horses and giving just one for the Gipper? Can’t be more of a “man” than that. Reagan always maintained that he neither colored his hair nor wore make-up when in public. Now I ask you, do you REALLY think Reagan always told the truth??