Glossary
Definitions A to Z
Short, neutral definitions of terms used across the ledger entries. Cross-references point to the entry where each term is discussed.
A
- Airbrush
- A compressed-air tool that sprays makeup in fine droplets for sheer, buildable coverage. See Entry No. 2.
- Alginate
- A seaweed-derived, skin-safe moulding powder mixed with water to take life casts. See Entry No. 3.
- Appliance
- A pre-made prosthetic piece glued to the skin and blended with makeup.
B
- Bald cap
- A thin vinyl, latex or silicone cap that conceals natural hair to create baldness or a base for wigs and appliances.
- Base
- The foundation layer that evens skin tone before shading and highlighting.
C
- Character makeup
- Makeup that changes apparent age, health or identity rather than simply enhancing features.
- Colour temperature
- Hue of a light source in kelvin; tungsten near 3200 K, daylight near 5600 K. See Entry No. 1.
- Continuity
- Keeping makeup identical across takes and days, documented with photos and notes. See Entry No. 2.
- Contour
- Darker shading placed where the face recedes to create the illusion of depth.
F
- Foam latex
- Natural latex whipped, gelled and baked into light, flexible appliances. See Entry No. 3.
- Flashback
- A white cast on photographs caused by some setting powders reflecting camera flash.
G
- Gel (lighting)
- A coloured filter placed in front of a lamp to tint the beam.
- Gelatin appliance
- A translucent prosthetic cast from gelatin and glycerin; sensitive to heat.
- Greasepaint
- Oil- or wax-based theatrical colour in stick or tin form, popularised by Ludwig Leichner in the 1870s.
H
- Highlight
- Lighter colour placed on areas that project, such as cheekbones and the bridge of the nose.
K
- Kumadori
- Stylised makeup of Japanese kabuki theatre; colours signal character, such as red for virtue and passion.
L
- Life cast
- A replica of a performer's face or body taken from a mould, used as the base for sculpting.
- Limelight
- Nineteenth-century stage light produced by heating quicklime.
P
- Pan-Cake
- Max Factor's water-activated cake foundation, introduced in 1937 for colour film.
- Patch test
- A small trial application of a product, observed for reaction before full use. See Entry No. 4.
- Period-after-opening (PAO)
- Open-jar symbol showing how many months a product remains usable once opened.
- Pros-Aide
- A water-based acrylic adhesive widely used for appliances and transfers.
R
- Rec. 709
- ITU-R BT.709, the standard defining high-definition television colour and format.
S
- Silicone (platinum-cure)
- A translucent, skin-like elastomer used for high-realism appliances.
- Spirit gum
- A resin-in-solvent adhesive used for crepe hair, beards and lace pieces.
- Stipple
- Texture applied by dabbing with a sponge to imitate skin and break up flat colour.