grease paint

noun

1. an oily mixture of melted tallow or grease and a pigment, used by actors, clowns, etc., for making up their faces.
2. theatrical makeup.

Word History and Origins

Origin of grease paint¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

It made her comb her hair all awry and apply the grease-paint to her cheeks with a trembling hand.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Tree gave him one by taking a stick of grease paint and sketching it in outline on the glass.

From Project Gutenberg

The idea is, of course, to keep powder, grease paint and cold cream from getting into and soiling the hair.

From Project Gutenberg

Make a few dots with the carmine grease paint stick on each cheek and on the end of the chin.

From Project Gutenberg

That's what eats the heart out of me, mother; and makes me hate my face every time I sit down to put on the grease paint.

From Project Gutenberg