Jim Howle is one of the world's leading clown makeup artists with his own range: Jim Howle Clown Makeup. The products in this selection draw upon his many years of experience in clowning and as an artist, and as such Jim Howle's Clown Makeup offer great color, coverage and durability - all the things which a top-performing clown really needs from his or her cosmetics.
A clown's makeup is his or her trademark. A clown may experiment a long time to develop ones own character but never copies another clown's face.
There are three main types of clown faces:
Whiteface - The traditional neat Whiteface clown has features designed in red, blue or black. The neat Whiteface will have a normal size mouth, painted nose and eyebrows. If the Whiteface is designed with large eyebrows, mouth and a false nose, they are known as a grotesque Whiteface. A Whiteface clown may use glitter and/or dry rouge to accent facial features. Read more on White Makeup Application.
Auguste - The Auguste clown has friendly, exaggerated features on a pink, ruddy or flesh-tone base. White makeup is applied around the eyes and mouth in the muzzle area, surrounding a red or black mouth and the Auguste clown sports a bigger-than-life false nose. Read more on Auguste Makeup Application.
Tramp - The Tramp has white eyes and white mouth surrounded by a black or gray "beard" with a flesh-tone base. The Tramp clowns false nose is either red or flesh-tone. The features may be sad or portray a happy-go-lucky good-natured character look. Read more on Tramp Makeup Application.
Brand Names vs. Generic
We don't recommend using "generic" or water-based makeup, the sort usually sold around Halloween, as it is not meant for your face for long periods of time. Make sure it is a quality, professional brand, such as:
Base or Foundation - Various colors found in tubs or sticks, usually white, clown flesh (varying from pink to orange or ruddy tones), black, and red. Can be applied using fingers, sponge or compressed puff.
Liners - Both pencil and stick form come in a variety of colors and can be applied directly or by using a brush.
