A step-by-step look at how I learned to apply my own makeup
I was taught how to put on a hobo-clown face by members of a Shriners Clown Club on March 1, 2025, during my first dress-out with the club. Since then, I’ve continued the tradition by doing my own makeup.
The hobo clown is an exaggerated character inspired by the hobos who once rode coal-powered trains across the country. Visually, hobo and tramp clowns often look very similar, though their personalities differ slightly. Traditionally, a hobo travels and will work if a job is offered, a tramp travels but avoids work, and a bum neither travels nor works. This makeup style works well for either role and is intentionally exaggerated. I have found no historical photos indicating that this appearance depicts reality other than performances.
What follows isn’t a performance guide, but a practical breakdown of how I prepare my face — what I was taught, what works for me, and why each step matters.
Notable Hobo and Tramp Clowns in History
The hobo clown has deep roots in American circus and entertainment history. One of the most influential was Emmett Kelly, whose character Weary Willie helped define the look and emotional tone of the hobo clown in the early 20th century (Videos 1 & 2). Kelly’s portrayal emphasized quiet melancholy, resilience, and humanity — often drawing sympathy rather than laughter.
Another well-known figure associated with the tramp and hobo clown tradition was Red Skelton, whose character Freddie the Freeloader brought a gentler, more playful interpretation to the same visual style (Video 3). While more overtly comedic, the character still carried the worn clothing, expressive face, and emotional accessibility that define the tradition.
Together, performers like these shaped the visual language and personality range of hobo and tramp clowns — from understated sadness to warm humor — influencing how the character is still interpreted today.
Before You Start
A little preparation makes the whole process smoother and less messy.
Start Clean
I begin clean-shaven and freshly washed. While a beard can work for a hobo clown, I personally prefer starting clean and creating the beard with makeup.
Mirror
You need to see yourself clearly throughout the process. Lighting helps as well, and my kit includes a USB-powered light mirror and a small mirror that can be magnified for close-up viewing.
A Flat Surface or Shelf
Have a place to lay out all of your materials so everything is within reach.
Clothing
Remove your shirt to prevent makeup, powder, and water from ruining it.
You can wear an old shirt you don’t mind staining, but grease paint tends to linger over time.
Grease Paint
You’ll need white, black, and pink. I mainly go with Mehron Makeup for Clown Pink, Clown White, and black foundation greasepaint. To save a few bucks on black and pink, you can also go with a bruise kit from Mehron Makeup, which includes black & red. The red could be mixed with clown white to make a custom pink for an uneven look, but you need to add the red very sparingly. Mixing will take time, and if you are in a rush, it’s not ideal for beginners on a deadline. I also have Ben Nye in clown white as a backup, but I prefer Mehron Makeup. Use what you are comfortable with — no judgement here. I’m only stating the brands for those who are interested in what I use. Another clown offered me some clown white as a friendly gesture. If I find a new clown needs it during a dress-out, I’ll probably pay it forward, along with anything extra that I don’t need.
Setting Powder
Use a setting powder with an applicator, such as a foam pad with a handle. I go with Mehron Makeup for my setting powder.
Spray Bottles
One for water, another for baby oil when removing the makeup. For water, I prefer an ultra-fine continuous-mist spray bottle, but these are fairly large and may not fit well in your kit. For baby oil, I prefer a small 1-oz spritzer.
If your partner isn’t aware of the continuous-mist spray bottles, they may get jealous when they see them in use and grab them for themselves. My recommendation is to get two and put a giant silly sticker on one to claim it as your own. Mine says “Beware of Dogs”. It also sets mine apart when putting makeup on in a room full of five other clowns in a rush, which helps prevent mix-ups.
Baby & Mineral Oil
Both Mineral Oil and Baby Oil work well. The grease paint is oil-based, so Baby & Mineral oil will help dissolve the oil and break down the setting powder. Baby oil is essentially mineral oil with added fragrance, which I personally prefer.
Applicators
Q-tips and bristle brushes work best for detail and texture. You can use scissors on the bristle brush to get a sharper edge for application in tight spaces.
Towels
Use face towels you don’t mind getting dirty—they will accumulate makeup with each use.
Clowning in a Pinch
Sometimes you’ll find yourself in a situation where you don’t have grease paint or powder, but you need to put on a face. Fortunately, many retail stores and pharmacies carry makeup supplies, and some are compatible with clowning. Perhaps you or your significant other already have a few items available on hand or at home. These are not ideal and may not last as long with heat & sweat, but they are compatible. For this look, I have the following as emergency supplies:
- Pink: e.l.f. putty blush – Bora Bora (best, deep pink), Tahiti (best, warm pink), Turks and Caicos (ok, coral pink), Fiji (bland, muted pink)
- Setting Powder: Hard Candy Translucent Loose Finishing Powder
There are other supplies in the makeup aisle you can use to substitute for the other colors. These are simply the brands that I picked up in an emergency. Reach out to your fellow clowns for help, as they may be able to let you use their makeup during prep, have spare, or offer other tips on what to find in the makeup aisle.
Step 1: Eyes and Mouth – White Makeup
Using a small amount of clown white makeup on my finger, I smear it onto:
- My lips, forming an upside-down frown that dips slightly past the corners of my mouth
- My eyelids
I don’t outline these areas. The goal isn’t sharp lines — it’s an uneven, worn look. This effect represents soot being wiped from the eyes and mouth, inspired by coal dust from old train travel.
Step 2: Sunburn – Pink Makeup
Next, I apply clown pink makeup to:
- The cheeks
- The tip of the nose
- The forehead
This creates the appearance of sunburn. I gently fade the pink downward into the white around the eyes and blend it upward into my natural skin tone as I move along the bridge of my nose. The transition should feel gradual, not abrupt.
Step 3: The Beard – Black Makeup
The beard is created using black greasepaint applied with a bristle brush, not a sponge. This keeps the beard from becoming a solid block of color.
The idea is texture — allowing some skin to show through so the edges of the mouth and cheeks remain visible. I pay special attention to keeping a thin, clean edge in the mustache area between the nose and upper lip.
Step 4: Eyebrows – Definition for Distance
Using a Q-tip and black greasepaint, I dab and thicken my eyebrows.
Eyebrows are critical for expression, especially when performing for people farther away. Exaggerated brows help convey emotion clearly and read better at a distance.
Step 5: Setting Powder – Heavy Application
I use a setting powder container with a foam pad that has a handle on the back.
Apply the powder thickly — so thick that your face looks almost white from the powder alone. This step locks everything in place and prepares the makeup for moisture.
Step 6: Water Mist – The Least Fun Part
This step is messy, so make sure you’re still shirtless.
Lightly mist your face with water until it’s wet enough to drip. It can feel uncomfortable or briefly hard to breathe if done poorly.
My recommendation is an ultra-fine continuous mist spray bottle. You can pump it a few times and control the spray yourself, positioning it exactly where you need it. It’s far less awkward than trying to spray yourself with a standard bottle.
Step 7: Pat Dry
Using a towel you don’t mind getting dirty, gently pat your face dry. Do not rub — just blot until dry.
At this point, your face is set and ready.
Packing Up
When packing up my supplies and traveling to parades, I prefer to empty the water bottle to prevent leaks. Make sure your kit is waterproof so any leaks do not damage anyone else’s supplies. I also have a spritzer bottle with baby oil that I keep inside a ziplock bag in case it leaks. When your materials are left behind in a hot vehicle, unexpected things can happen. You may even find that your grease paints become viscous and orient themselves to one side of the container due to the heat. Just be prepared. Also, keeping your bristle brushes and Q-tips in a bag will help prevent grease paint from getting on other supplies in your kit.
Taking the Face Off
When it’s time to remove the makeup:
- Take your shirt off again — this will get messy.
- Use baby oil. I like small 1 oz spritzer bottles so I can control how much I use.
- Spritz enough oil to loosen the makeup.
- Use an old towel to rub it off.
You may need a second pass, especially around the eyes, jawline, ears, and hairline.
The Finished Face
Congratulations — you’re now an undercover clown. Nobody will ever know.
This process has become a quiet ritual for me: practical, intentional, and rooted in tradition. It’s not about perfection, but about creating a face that reads clearly, carries emotion, and respects the character it represents.
Finding Your Own Face
This is the process I was taught and the one that works for me — but it isn’t meant to be a fixed template. Clowning is a craft you grow into, not something you perfect all at once.
The more you apply your own face, the more comfortable you’ll become with it. Over time, you may adjust shapes, soften or exaggerate features, or change how heavy or subtle certain elements are. That’s not a mistake — it’s how your character starts to become yours.
Every face reflects the person underneath it. Give yourself permission to experiment, make small changes, and let your appearance evolve naturally until it feels right for you.
