Stage make up tips for a complete make up novice, please!

[NannyR]

I'm in a show in a few weeks and we've been told we need to wear "make up for stage lights and red lipstick".
I don't wear make up at all really, on special occasions I use a bit of mineral foundation, mascara and lip gloss but I don't think that's going to cut it under stage lights.
I've been playing about with eye make up and a heavier foundation but I just look like a child who's been let loose in their mums make up bag.
Any tips/advice or recommendations would be most welcome, thanks.

the stage lights flatten the lines in your face so it's just bringing out angles and colour - go for a good coral blusher, bright lipstick and a lighter eye shadow, plus both lash lines done and mascara. I would put a layer of base on first and powder to set - but you could use a good primer instead? You can get no shine ones?

I used to be a theatrical make up artist when I was a teen. The style and colours depend on the show and the era that it is based on.
Generally I used:
a Matt liquid foundation,
bronzer to contour the cheekbones, and sides of nose, chin
Vibrant Blush to give a pinch colour to the cheeks
Eyeshadow (colour depends on theme).
Black Eyeliner top lash line and lower lash line
mascara
Red lipstick and lip liner
Eyebrow powder to match wig colour

I work in theatre, there's some excellent advice above. If you have the money, Charles Fox are one of the main theatrical make-up suppliers, they have a shop in Covent Garden and am excellent website. They're really helpful if you don't know what you need. {Other suppliers are available}.

Also, because you need stronger, more heavily defined make-up for the stage, you will look a bit 'over-done', especially if you don't wear much day to day.

The request from the company for 'make-up for stage lights' isn't overly helpful - a lot depends on the size of theatre, how close the audience are to the stage, what type of show it is, when it is set, etc etc