How to Apply Special Effects Makeup
Whether it's for a movie, a theater production or a party, special effects make-up can transform your event into something truly special. Learning how to apply it takes a few steps and some basic techniques, but once you have learned how, you can turn your friends, family or anyone you like into magical creatures, scary monsters or anything your imagination can come up with. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Rubbing alcohol
- cotton swabs
- tissue
- theatrical nose and scar wax
- stipple sponge
- liquid latex
- spirit gum
- fake blood
- make up and adhesive remover
- prosthetic adhesive
Instructions
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1
Create a swollen bruise by first cleaning the area of the skin with alcohol and then patting it dry. Pull out a section of theatrical nose or scar wax. Be careful not to play with it too much so that the oil from your hands doesn't get into the putty. Apply putty to the face and blend it in and form the shape of the bruise and then put make-up over it to conceal the putty and add coloration to your bruise to make it look realistic.
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2
Draw lines with a pencil or makeup brush on someone's face to make them look old. Also use a medium-sized sponge to create stubble and liver spots on their face and hands. Follow this by applying more lines around the mouth and eyes to finish this technique.
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3
Learn how to apply foam and latex prosthetics. Use them to create any kind of creature, facial shape or texture. Apply prosthetics with an adhesive and then cover them with makeup to make them blend in. This technique isn't as easy as it looks, so practice it until you get the look you desire.
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4
Apply blood to cuts or wounds you've created either with prosthetics or theatrical nose and scar wax by lighting painting them on with a small brush or using a stipple sponge. Build lightly until you achieve just the right look.
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Tips & Warnings
Always begin any special effects makeup application by first cleaning the area thoroughly.
There are many recipes for fake blood and many make-up artists keep their recipes secret, but there are sites online which offer blood recipes which are easy enough for anyone to create.
Practice these techniques before your party or theatrical event. It takes time to learn to apply special effects makeup correctly, so don't wait until the last minute to try to master them.
Don't apply too much makeup too fast. Take your time and apply it in layers and power between each one.
Always test a patch of skin when using spirit gum or liquid latex to make sure there that whoever you're applying it on isn't allergic.
