greasepaint

British  

/ ˈɡriːsˌpeɪnt /

noun

1. a waxy or greasy substance used as make-up by actors

2. theatrical make-up

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Explanation

The bright, waxy makeup that stage actors use is called greasepaint. When you land your dream role in your school's production of Cats you'll have to wear lots of greasepaint to look like a tabby. The invention of greasepaint is credited to a German opera singer and chemist, Ludwig Leichner. Leichner's greasepaint was closely related to the pomatums (or waxy hair products) of the time, and developed to add highlights and shadows to actors' faces that could be seen from the audience despite the bright stage lighting. Before the common use of stage lights, stage makeup was most often made of powder.

Example Sentences

Mr. Cameron calls his motion-capture tech “digital makeup,” but it’s such heavy greasepaint that it’s hard to guess who’s under it.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 17, 2025

She did commercial work, too, notably coating the actors who played the Jolly Green Giant, the mascot created to sell canned vegetables, in layers of green greasepaint.

From New York Times • Jan. 21, 2024

And perhaps we should have realised these movie moguls' commitment would not wear off with the greasepaint.

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2023

For “Ma Rainey,” makeup artist Sergio Lopez-Rivera needed to recreate the singer’s legendary greasepaint look, and actress Viola Davis told him to have at it.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 16, 2021

The owner’s name was written on the lid in greasepaint.

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros

Related Words

• acrylic
• color
• cosmetic
• dye
• enamel
• latex
• makeup
• oil
• pigment
• stain
• varnish
• wax