How to Get the Dead & Decayed Makeup Look

A base layer of white makeup is required for the zombie look.

Getting the dead and decayed makeup look -- the zombie look -- is more time-consuming than difficult. With some simple makeup techniques, you can turn your face into a frightful mess of oozing death and decay. The zombie makeup look also works well on hands, arms and necks because latex is flexible. No time is required for the makeup to cure, so once you are finished putting it on, you are ready to go.

Things You'll Need

• White makeup base
• Liquid latex
• 1-inch paintbrush
• 1-ply toilet paper
• Make-up foundation
• Sponge
• Rouge
• Liquid blood
• Ear swab
• Aerosol hairspray

Instructions

1. Wash the area you are going to zombify with soap and water. Allow the area to dry. Cover it with makeup base to whiten your skin so you can add color later. Spread the base evenly to create a constant color across the area.

2. Tear off 10 squares of toilet paper. Tear off every straight edge off every square, then rip each semi-square into 2-inch wide strips. Cover a portion of the area covered in base with liquid latex using a 1-inch paintbrush, from your cheek bone to your ear and down to your jawline, for example.

3. Affix the strips of toilet paper over the latex. Overlap the area between that with latex and that with only base as well. Spread a layer of latex over the toilet paper. Do not cover the portion of toilet paper that does not have latex under it. Allow the laytex to dry for 20 to 30 minutes.

4. Dab the latex covered area as well as the area with base with makeup foundation. Do not spread it evenly. Complete uniformity does not look dead or decaying. Only cover between 25 to 50 percent of the zombified area with foundation. Again, avoid perfection when applying this layer of makeup.

5. Gently spread rouge over the area without latex with your fingers to create a bruised and rotting look. Work around the areas you blotched with foundation, only mixing the two around the edges. Wipe small amounts of curry around the threshold between the rouge and foundation for a gangrene look. Like the foundation, the rouge and curry need not be applied uniformly.

6. Spread fake blood over the latex area with an ear swab. Be gentle on the latex when applying the blood. Do not tear it from your skin. Allow the makeup and blood to dry for 10 minutes, then spray the area with aerosol hairspray to hold the make-up in place.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not add the rouge prior to the foundation or the effect looks spotted, not bruised.

References

• New Zombie Makeup Site: What Will You Need?
• Youtube: Rotting Decay: Zombie