X-Men Mystique

  Figure 1: Screenshot Mystique Fan fest (2016) 

The scales that are well known to the character Mystique are hand placed and are more concentrated in certain areas of her body. This process alone takes around 2 hours to complete three layers of dark blue body paint are then placed over the scales, using an airbrush to cover all of her natural skin tone. When dried, 5 more layers are placed on top in a splattering motion to give a a main gloss finish to the body paint. This whole process takes around 8 hours and the help of 6 girls for it to be completed. The body paint is the only thing Jennifer Lawrence wears on set so cover and precision are key.

The process of this transformation took Jennifer and her team around 7 hours to complete (excluding time for hair and contacts). To prepare for application of the body paint, Jennifer would either be leaning on a tall board or sitting on a bicycle seat. However, in the latest X-men movie "Days to Future Past", Jennifer wore a full body suit up to her shoulders due to the body paint irritated her skin, because of this the body paint was only applied from the neck above, decreasing makeup time from 8 hours to 3 hours.  Makeup and hair for 'X-Men', Frances Hannon tried to perfect 20 different shades of blue placing it on 20 different girls so she could find the right shade of blue for the 'Days to Future Past' Mystique (Business insider, 2014). 

Mystique's character has had a noticeable change throughout the different X-Men movies. Many fans and critics have commented on the different colour and overall look from different actors that once played Mystique in the past. This was because in production of the 2014 film "Days to Future Past" they could not find any of the original makeup artists from the past 3 movies, this made the team start from scratch and decided to create a more modernised look for Mystique. 

There have been a few changes that happened over the years with Mystique, from the actresses to the colour and look of the body paint. However, the changes have not been drastic, as you can see from the picture below, the body paint which once used to be a dark glossy blue has not changed to a matt vibrant blue. The scales, on the other hand have stayed the same shape and position on the face and body as well as the style and colour of her hair. 

Figure 2 : Every adaptation of Mystique Top funny (2017) 

To get a better look at the process of Jennifer Lawrence's transformation into Mystique, I have posted a video which shows the step by step look in the make up chair.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xksaqb

References 
Figure 1: 
Fan fest (2016) Screenshot Mystique. Retrieved from 
      http://fanfest.com/2016/06/01/is-there-a-mystique-standalone-movie-in-the-works/
Figure 2:
Top funny (2017) Every adaptation of Mystique. Retrieved from 
      http://www.tintucquanhta.xyz/2017/06/x-men-every-adaptation-of-mystique.html

Kristin, A. (2014) Business insider Entertainment. Retrieved from 
       http://www.businessinsider.com/jennifer-lawrence-x-men-mystique-makeup-2014-5

Katey, R. (2012) Cinema blend. Retrieved from 
       https://www.cinemablend.com/new/Watch-Jennifer-Lawrence-Arduous-Naked-Makeup-Process-X-Men-First-Class-26492.html

X-Men first class makeup tests (2011) YouTube video. Retrieved from 
     http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xksaqb

The basics to Film makeup

When thinking about the basics of makeup within Film, there are 3 broad categories:


Basic: designed to compensate for undesirable changes in appearance introduced by the television process. 
Corrective: deigned to enhance positive attributes and downplay flaws. 
Character: which introduces major changes in appearance.   

All play a big role within film as all are present and important when first starting out within Film makeup.

BASIC, makeup is to smooth over and create natural and everyday looks within film. This example from  She's the Man shows Viola's transition into her brother Sebastian. Even though it was a change in gender, the makeup was kept minimal using a base foundation and gentle contour to broden the face to give a masculine look. The basic step is used in many productions for a soft look when picked up by camera. 
Figure 1: She's the Man screenshot (Enews 2006)



CORRECTIVE, is makeup focusing on sculpting the face, defining and creating bone structure. Within this example of Angelina Jolie in Maleficent, the use of skin prothetic was used to sculpt her defined cheekbones. However, the use of corrective makeup was used to deepen and exaggerate her facial structure. the black corrective lines on her cheekbone and jaw line against the white base extended the look to harden overall appearance giving her a mystical alien feel to her character. 

Figure 2: Maleficent (Fanpop 2014)

CHARACTER, this step is mainly seen in big feature films and Sci fi genres, due to the extent of work that makeup artists have to go though to create the character. A good example of this step is in Hellboy. Jake Garber explained that he needed Ron Perlman 4 hours before shooting was scheduled, to help get him into his skin prosthetics. In the video linked below shows a a few screenshots of the process of Hellboy's character transformation, from measuring skin for prosthetics and applying correctly for Ron Perlman's comfort throughout shooting. 
Figure 3: Hellboy (IMDB 2008)

References: 
- Cyber collage (2013) Makeup for television and film. Retrieved from 
      http://www.cybercollege.com/makeup.htm
- How stuff works (2009) Hellboy Makeup: An interview with Jake Garber. retrieved from 
       http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/arts/comic-books/hb-makeup3.htm- 

- Enews (2006) She's the Man screenshot retrieved from; 
http://www.eonline.com/photos/8948/amanda-bynes-biggest-roles/288508
- Fanpop (2014) Maleficent retrieved from: 
http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/maleficent-2014/images/36791235/title/maleficent-photo
-MBD (2008) Hellboy retrieved from: 
http://m.imdb.com/title/tt0411477/mediaviewer/rm298518784

- Hellboy (2009) YouTube 
Retrived from:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzbzOFKQQcU