Clown make-up
- D. M. Wright
- Dec 15, 2025
- 7 min read
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CLOWNS & MAKE-UP
As a clown, you’ve got to be confident telling jokes, juggling and doing whatever else it takes to keep kids giggling.
But before you get to the funny stuff, you’ll need to give thoughtful consideration to the type of clown face you’ll wear.
Professional clowns develop their own unique faces and create them using special techniques and high-quality makeup. Go ahead and search clown faces online and notice how no two are exactly alike!
WHITEFACE CLOWNS
A traditional Whiteface clown builds on a white base with red, blue and black. There are both Neat Whiteface clowns (painted nose, eyebrows and a normal-sized mouth) and Grotesque Whiteface (exaggerated eyebrows, mouth and false nose).
Glitter and rouge are a couple of ways to make a Whiteface Clown unique.
Keep in mind that, if you are performing in hot climates, you may want to avoid this style and try Clown Light instead. This is a type of clown face that requires less makeup and can include characteristics of all three types. Clown Light makeup is kept just around the eyes and mouth. Wigs and nose are optional.
AUGUSTE CLOWNS
The friendly-faced Auguste clown has exaggerated features on a pink, ruddy or flesh-tone base.
White makeup around the eyes and red or black mouth are also trademarks of this type of clown.
And don’t forget the large false nose!
TRAMP CLOWNS
A black or grey beard on a flesh-tone base is the look of the Tramp.
White eyes and mouth topped off with a red or flesh-tone false nose are other identifying features of this clown’s sad or happy-go-lucky, good-natured character.
WHAT DO CLOWNS USE FOR MAKE-UP?
Professional clowns typically use an oil-based greasepaint makeup instead of a water-based face paint.
Why? Because opaque coverage can be achieved easily using greasepaint. When set with powder, it will stand up better to perspiration.
A water-based face paint is likely to smudge, drip and settle into laugh lines.
HOW TO APPLY AMATEUR CLOWN MAKE-UP
When you are applying face paint, it’s very important to let the first layer dry completely before painting over it.
It doesn’t take long for face paint to dry: about 30 seconds to a minute. Being patient during this step will save you from having to fix bleeding lines.
If you are applying a base, dampen a high density sponge and dab the white face paint all over your face. You’ll likely need a second application for a smooth, opaque finish.
If you are skipping the base, then use a round or filbert brush to apply white face paint all over the lids and up above the eyebrows.
Use a round brush and black face paint to create overstated eyebrows. You can also add some lines or triangle shapes on the eyelids and just below the eyes.
Use a filbert brush to apply white face paint to make an exaggerated smiling mouth.
Use a round brush and red face paint to fill in the lips and extend a smile at the corners of the mouth. This layer goes over the white face paint.
Outline the white area around the eyes and mouth with black face paint on a round brush.
Take a damp sponge and red or pink face paint (blush works well, too) and dab the some colour right onto the apple of your cheeks.
Paint a red round dot on the tip of your nose and add some glitter while the paint is still wet.
If you’d like to add a little more colour to your happy clown face, try filling in the space from your eyelids to your painted brows with rainbow colours.
Gems at the outer corner of your eyes are a cute finishing touch.
HOW TO APPLY PROFESSIONAL CLOWN MAKE-UP
Whether you are putting on a Whiteface, Auguste or Tramp clown face, the technique for applying makeup is basically the same.
Start with a clean face and consider prepping with 'Mehron Skin Prep Pro' to protect against perspiration.
Using an oil-based makeup, apply a base of colour using your fingers, a brush or a sponge.
Pat the makeup into place until you achieve a smooth, opaque consistency.
Experiment until you feel confident applying the base.
It’s very important to make sure your base is as smooth and opaque as possible.
Next, carve out a space for the eyebrows and mouth area where you will be applying a different colour. Use a dampened cotton-wool tip (do not use make-up remover) to lift the base colour off.
Then, using a brush, fill in the eyebrows, mouth, character lines and any other details. Brushes come in several different sizes and shapes, including round, flat, tear drop, petal, chisel and angle.
A kit like 'Silly Farm’s 6-Piece Classic Brush Set' should give you enough options to explore which type of brushes you prefer.
You’ll want to use a small round brush to make more detailed character lines or thin eyebrows and a flat or chisel brush for filling in larger spaces.
Petal brushes make perfect flowers and tear drops.
Again, experiment with different shapes and sizes of brushes until you find what works for the style of clown face you’ve designed.
Tip: A make-up pencil can help you define character lines, eyebrows and mouth before you fill them in with cake make-up.
A make-up setting powder or spray is the final step to your clown makeup application. Applied on top of your makeup, these products will help keep your clown face from streaking, fading or sliding.
HOW TO APPLY WHITEFACE CLOWN MAKE-UP
Use a high-quality white makeup such as 'Ben Nye Clown White Makeup', 'Mehron Foundation Grease White', 'Kryolan Clown White Makeup', 'Kryolan Clown Paint Stick' or 'Graftobian Clown White Makeup' apply your base.
Don’t forget your ears and neck if it will be showing.
Applying a white setting powder like 'Ben Nye Super White' will brighten your white base and protect against perspiration. Be sure to apply this before you add any other colours.
Tip: There are several brands of clown make-up out there. Experiment with smaller containers of make-up to find what works for you.
Starting out with a kit is another good option. The 'Ben Nye Clown Make-up Kit - Deluxe Whiteface' is a great choice because it includes the specific colours you need for a Whiteface clown, plus extra white make-up.
Now, it’s time to colour in the features using a brush and blue, red and black grease paint.
Define brows, mouth and character lines with red, blue and black makeup. If you are a Neat Whiteface clown, paint on a nose. For a Grotesque Whiteface, you’ll need a false nose. The bigger, the better!
If you’d like to add rosy cheeks, use a pink grease paint and, starting lightly with just a touch of colour, pounce it onto your cheeks with a sponge.
Build up until you reach the intensity of colour you desire. You can also use powder makeup and a brush for cheeks and eyeshadow.
Use a neutral setting powder like 'Ben Nye Neutral Set' to go over your final make-up.
Click HERE for a visual tutorial.
HOW TO APPLY AUGUSTE CLOWN MAKE-UP
Keep in mind the specific colours that define Auguste.
The makeup base starts with a more flesh-tone grease paint that ranges from orange/pink to red/brown.
Newbies may want to try out the 'ProFace Auguste Makeup Palette' or 'Ben Nye Auguste' kit.
You’ll also need a large, professional clown nose. The bigger, the better!
Tip: Give yourself time. Make sure you allow yourself twice as much time as you think you’ll need when putting on your clown makeup, especially, when you are just getting started. Rushing through your makeup application is a sure-fire way to get lacklustre results.
HOW TO APPLY TRAMP CLOWN MAKE-UP
A Tramp clown has a sooty, flesh-toned face with bright white around the eyes and mouth.
Apply a base and the details.
Grey make-up is great for creating a five o’clock shadow. A stippling sponge is perfect for creating rough-looking stubble. Powder rouge will also create weathered skin or a five-o-clock shadow.
HAPPY, NOT HORRIFYING
Get inspiration for your happy clown face by searching online. Then get out some paper and crayons and sketch out a personalised design. Use that as a guideline as you apply face paint.
Beware! The happy clown face can quickly take a turn for the sinister.
Here are some tips for avoiding a horror movie clown face:
Use a bright-red face paint, as opposed to a deeper, blood-red colour. 'TAG' red and 'Paradise Beach Berry' are good options.
Go easy on the black lines. Black lines that are too bold can look severe. A smaller round brush will help you create more narrow lines. Remember, the lower the number, the finer the line.
Eyebrows with a soft arch, or “sad brows” that are turned upwards towards the hairline, are cute. Eyebrows that are too severely arched, or point down towards the nose, are creepy.
Applying red lipstick within your natural lip line - without creating an exaggerated mouth - can appear unfriendly. Make sure you create a nice big smile and paint lips that turn upward.
Don’t forget rosy cheeks! A soft blush, as opposed to garish circles, will help to convey an air of affability.
Don’t let face paint run. If you need your clown face to make it through a long day that involves sweating or having water splashed in your face then use oil-based professional clown make-up. Otherwise, occasionally check your face to make sure everything’s in place. Carry some baby wipes to fix any smears and reapply face paint if necessary.
HOW TO REMOVE CLOWN MAKE-UP
Just as important as putting on the clown makeup is taking it off properly.
If you have used grease paint make-up (as opposed to water-based make-up), you will need a professional product that's been designed to effectively remove clown make-up, which has been set with powder and worn all day.
For best results, use a makeup remover that is specifically designed to remove grease makeup.
Click HERE for some professional products available.
REFERENCES
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