Makeup & The Goblin Ball: DAMED Magazine

DAMED is an Avant-Garde Art & photography periodical currently produced BI YEARLY, launched April 2013 in Melbourne, Australia.

DAMED is created by Award winning Fine Art Photographer Mad Dame, and followed by a dedicated team of artistic minds, eager and ravenous for the exploration and implementation of new concepts in the field of creative design photography.

We caught up with Mad Dame, the fearless leader of DAMED who is also moonlighting at the glorious High Priestess of Ember Rule, the world that The Goblin Ball is visiting this year! We wanted to know a few secrets and tips that can help create the most amazing makeup to compliment our guests costumes this year!

(c) Mad Dame

Mad Dame, our guests are coming to live a creation they have thought long and hard at creating. How would someone start thinking about makeup on an evening like this?

Firstly, what are you wearing? Or not wearing - then you know what colour scheme to start with, and what colours compliment or contrast. For example an orange dress you can consider orange, yellow, warm or bright tones of make up or go the opposite and use blue tones in your make up as long as blue is featured somewhere else to balance.

You can also start collecting bits and pieces, especially if you are going to DIY, from $2 shops and trinkets, like rings to use in your props, hair and make up, anything you can stick to yourself!

(c) Mad Dame

You attended the last Goblin Ball as the Green Fairy. Many people talked about how bold you were to bare all and choose body paint for the top half of your costume. What would you suggest to others who were thinking about making the same choice?

If you are confident or about to take a step into gaining confidence, remember you are surrounded by like minded people and a very safe environment, that commends all levels of creativity! My experience in body painting, wearing it and applying it to people, body paint created a new layer of skin, and opens a new door of emotional evaluation, you actually become your character, it can be considered a form of masking. I highly doubt you would feel so exposed, unless your getting chilly!

(c) Mad Dame

If I was thinking of going to the Goblin Ball and making an impression, what makeup tips would you suggest?

I would suggest having a little research, not necessary at make up, but things to influence creative make up, like animals, colours, textures, anything to add to your character. If you do have trouble, find 3 different make up images and take elements that you like form each and create your own combination  to help keep your make up design original. 

You can also hire many many of Melbourne’s Talented Make up artists to help your vision come to life. I ran around before last years ball help create some awesome make up for some guests. 

Use 3D things to add to your make up, like gems, feathers, flowers, spray painted paper cut outs, anything!

(c) Mad Dame

You are also a very talented photographer! What tips do you give our guests to take the perfect costume picture?

I would ALWAYS take a fresh photo at home in good light before you leave! For a perfect picture while at the ball, know how you costume presents itself best, if you have a flowing slim floor length gown, pose on your side, if you wear a giant round ball gown, use your arms and hands to be expressive. If you’re a dude with a sceptre, well man, strike an epic pose. Just take a breathe and think about your eyes and hands the most to add the best character. Oh and background setting for selfies is important, as well as using the stage and dance floor lights to your advantage. Back lighting can work cool too.

(c) Mad Dame

What would be your ultimate tip on how to make a splash as far as makeup and costume are concerned?

I think Hair is a big option too, styled hair or props in hair makes a huge impact, I am also one for hair styled and hair props, I am like whoaaa. Height can add a lot more stronger character. I also think flowly arm like props are eye catching, like fabric that you use to move, dance and flirt with.


You can check out more of Mad Dame's work on her facebook page or her official website where you can also order your own copy of DAMED magazine!