How to Do Stitching Makeup

Create the appearance of stitches with makeup.

Use nose putty to create a simple stitching makeup for Halloween or other occasions. Makeup artists have used nose putty, which can be found at nearly every costume shop, for generations. In fact, it has been a part of some of the cinema's classic monsters. This type of makeup is called a buildup because you will be building a three-dimensional effect directly onto your skin.

Things You'll Need

• Spirit gum
• Cotton ball
• Mineral oil
• Nose putty
• Butter knife
• Makeup
• Makeup sponge
• Makeup brush
• Makeup powder
• Powder puff
• String
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Brush a line of spirit gum adhesive onto your skin. Allow it to sit for 30 to 60 seconds to get tacky.

2. Pull a small amount of cotton off of a cotton ball and press it into the spirit gum.

3. Coat your fingers with mineral oil.

4. Pull a marble-sized wad of nose putty out of its container. Nose putty is very sticky, but the mineral oil will allow you to handle it without it sticking to your skin. Apply more to your fingers as needed.

5. Roll the nose putty into a snake shape, then press it into the cotton on your skin.

6. Smooth the edges of the nose putty out past the cotton, blending it into your skin.

7. Make a cut in the nose putty with a butter knife.

8. Cover the nose putty with flesh makeup that matches your skin color, using a makeup sponge to pat it in place.

9. Fill the cut with blood red makeup using a makeup brush.

10. Powder the makeup with a powder puff, using translucent makeup powder.

11. Cut several 1/4-inch pieces of string.

12. Press the string over the cut to simulate stitches. It will stick to the putty with no additional adhesives required. If needed, press the ends into the putty with a chopstick or other small stick.

References

• "Stage Makeup-Sixth Edition"; Richard Corson; 1981
• "Dick Smith's Do-It-Yourself Monster Make-Up Handbook"; Dick Smith, 1985