I'm playing the prostitute in The Talented Mr Ripley and I have to do A LOT of kissing! We've rehearsed and lipstick is all over the place even though I blotted it and put some Lipcote over it too but it still came off.

I also have a really quick change from the character of Marge into the prostitute (less than a page of dialogue) and have to put a wig on too. That's not really a problem but I need to put the bright red lipstick on during this time.

Any ideas?

Time is against you, particularly with the quick change as well but have you tried standard Kryolan or Grimas make up instead of lipstick and a good dusting of transluscent powder. If there is a bit of time before the big kissing session it should be set - but no guarantees if it's heavy snogging.

Thanks for the advice.

Do you know where I can buy this type of makeup? Like a lot of other groups, we have never had the luxury of using professional makeup, always used our own but we are looking to start purchasing some decent make up. There is a bit of time before the snogging starts but it is pretty heavy snogging!! lol!

Charles Fox Covent Garden

www.charlesfox.co.uk/

Call: 0870 2000 369

Fax: 0870 2001 369

International Tel: +44 020 7240 3111

International Fax: +44 020 7379 3410

Postal Address: Charles H Fox Ltd. 22 Tavistock Street, Covent Garden LONDON WC2E 7PY

Email: sales@charlesfox.co.uk

They are just through the colectibles market behind the Transport Museum

Give them a call with your problem and they will suggest a solution

From their site
"KRYOLAN'S Theatrical Make-Up range is probably the most widely used in the industry. Their products such as TV Paint Sticks , Supracolor , Aquacolor & Cake Make-Up are widely used in different ways throughout the whole of London's West End."

Grimas is sold through lots of local dance shops and joke/costume shops and small ranges of Kryolan through the former, mainly the bases.

You do need to be aware of the techniques a bit to get it right, and there is no problem with using some ordinary shop stuff with it. I use cheap stuff from Wilkinsons for eye liner, mascara, pencils, blushers, eye shadow and non heavy snogging lipstick, just to have a wide colour range. Also get sets of lipstick from pound shops etc.

It goes a bit against conventional professional advice but it's only on for 2 - 3 hours and the face is protected by the base so only really sensitive skins are likely to be affected.

That's brilliant. Thank you very much. xx

Hi Kim

Another brand that works very well is Max Factor's Lipfinity. I used it for Oklahoma and Anything Goes and it stayed put (even after my Oklahoma Hello)

I've bought some professional stuff and will try it out. I've also been browsing around the shops and Maybelline have a new lipstick that is supposed to stay put for about 17 hours and is also "supposedly" non transferrable. Unfortunately the red ones have all been sold but I think if I can get hold of it it may be worth a try.