Makeup Tips

  Halloween, Costume Parties & Face Painting

Scars, Cuts and Bruises || Werewolf || Vampire || Alien || Witch || Skeleton Head/Grim Reaper || Zombie || Cat/Animal || Frankenstein Monster || Rag Doll || 3-D Gel || Latex Textures

Scars, Cuts, and Bruises Makeup Application

Black Eye and Fresh Cut

Scars, Cuts and Bruises
A. Apply a thin layer of spirit gum where modeling wax will be applied. Allow to dry.
B. Sculpt thin layers of modeling wax over areas to appear swollen and cut. Make sure the edges blend into skin. Once edges are blended, smooth surface with fingers coated with cleansing cream. Smooth wax can be textured with a stipple sponge.
C. Base with an appropriate skin shade or with purplish colors for bruise.
D. If desired, cut into wax and redden with makeup and stage blood.

Healed Scars

A. Apply rigid collodion to the skin in fine lines where you want scars to appear. This material must be applied to clear skin (no base or moisturizer). Rigid collodion will shrink and pull the skin into a puckered scar shape.
B. Another layer of rigid collodion may be applied when dry to deepen the "scar".
C. Color the depression with a light pink cheek color.

Hints: Lines should be thin and allowed to dry before a second coat is applied. Keep away from eye area.

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Werewolf Makeup Application

Werewolf
Optional Items:
Rubber Nose, Makeup Remover Cream, Fang Teeth, Stipple Sponge, Powder Puff, Powder Brush

A. Apply a thin coat of Spirit Gum where Modeling Putty/Wax will be applied. When nearly dry, sculpt desired nose shape with Modeling Putty/Wax. HINT: Rough sculpt shapes and blend edges into skin. Lubricate fingers with Makeup Remover Cream to smooth shapes. Texture surface with Stipple Sponge.
B. Cover entire face and sculpted shapes with No.24 Makeup Base and powder with Colorset Powder.
C. Create shadows with No. 10C Makeup. The "hard edge" of shadow can be deepened with Black Makeup.
D. Paint nose and upper lip line with Black Makeup.
E. Begin applying Crepe Hair. The hair may be adhered with Spirit Gum. Start low on the face and build upward over the previous layer.
F. Trim and style Crepe Hair.

Hints: Crepe Hair can be straightened by loosening braid and wetting the hair. Stretch the unbraided strand and allow to dry (or force dry with a blow dryer). Avoid using thick pieces of hair.

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Vampire Makeup Application

Vampire
A. Apply a thin, even coat of No. 19B makeup and pat gently to remove creases and fingerprints. Lightly dust with Colorset Powder and remove excess with Powder Brush.
B. Using Black makeup, "hollow" facial bones to add angularity to the face. Follow cheekbone line with Black makeup from the front of the ear down toward jaw line. Feather the Black down to create a deep shadow effect. Draw straight lines from the tip of each nostril to form an arch over the outside corner of the eyebrow. Outline eyes in Black. Accent frown lines between brows. Draw a line following natural creases from alongside nose to the corner of the mouth.
C. Paint mouth Black, extending lines down at corners. Add a dramatically thick "fake" brow to forehead. Accentuate temple area with Black makeup by outlining from hairline to sideburn area, leaving "peaks" at each temple. Gently powder fresh makeup area with Colorset Powder and brush off excess with Powder Brush.
D. Draw in Blood dripping from mouth with R/B Red makeup. Complete the look with fangs, costume, Stage Blood and angry looking scowl!

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Alien Makeup Application

Alien
Optional Items:
Modeling Wax, Powder Puff, Makeup Remover Cream, Powder Brush

A. Apply bald cap with Spirit Gum. Be careful to keep Spirit Gum out of hair and away from the eyes.
B. Flatten eyebrows, if desired, with Modeling Wax. Smooth surface of Modeling Wax with Makeup Remover Cream.
C. Draw basic design with Black Makeup and Stageline Makeup Brush. It's best to lightly sketch design first in order to perfect shapes.
D. Paint desired areas Silver and/or Gold. Be careful to avoid smudges near black lines.
E. Apply Colorset Powder with Powder Puff and brush off excess with Powder Brush.

Hints: When using bald cap, you may choose to keep ears covered with the cap to add to the "alien" effect.

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Witch Makeup Application

Witch
Optional Items:
Rubber Nose & Chin, Makeup Remover Cream, Wig, Stipple Sponge, Powder Brush, Powder Puff

A. Apply a thin coat of Spirit Gum on nose and chin area where Modeling Putty/Wax will be applied. When nearly dry, sculpt desired nose and/or chin shapes with Modeling Putty/Wax.
B. Cover entire face and sculpted shapes with No.24 Makeup Base and powder with Colorset Powder.
C. Shade all areas that you choose to "hollow out". We shaded aging areas with Green Makeup and then sharpened the "hard" unblended edge of shadows with Monster Grey Makeup.
D. Shape eyebrows with thin strokes of Black Pencil Liner.
E. Style hair or wig appropriately.

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Skeleton Head/Grim Reaper Makeup Application

Skeleton Head/ Grim Reaper
A. Cover face and tip of nose with white base makeup (we used CreamBlend Stick) and "pat gently" to remove creases. Using Powder Puff, apply Colorset Powder over white base makeup and brush off excess with Powder Brush. Leave room around the eyes for black makeup.
B. Using black makeup (we used CreamBlend Stick), fill in areas around eyes and sides of nose. In addition, apply black makeup to lips and draw vertical lines above and below black lips with a cosmetic brush.
C. Follow cheekbone line with black makeup from the front of the ear with a thin line, toward the edge of the mouth with a thick line. Also, create the triangle design at the tip of the chin.
D. Finish mouth by connecting and closing vertical lines with a horizontal line using black makeup. Define the hollowed out areas around forehead, eyes, chin, and cheeks using a color lighter than black makeup (we used CreamBlend Stick Monster Grey). "Set" entire makeup with Colorset Powder. Add black robe with hood.

Hints: Do not mix water soluble makeups with grease makeups. Start with a minimum of makeup. It's easier to add more color than to subtract.

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Zombie Makeup Application

Zombie
A. Apply a small patch of Clown White on forehead and powder with Colorset Powder (this will simulate an open wound).
B. Work pieces of Nose Putty by hand to form top and bottom portions of "open wound" on forehead. (A light film of Spirit Gum will aide in adhering Nose Putty pieces to forehead.) Build up the bridge of your nose with Nose Putty, leaving an angular gash to simulate wound.
C. Cover entire face and Putty constructions with Flesh Makeup. Highlight cheekbones, jawbones and temporal ridge with a light application of Clown White.
D. Create "hollow look" by drawing lines under eyes, cheekbones, along frown lines and under natural brows with No. 10C Brown Makeup. Hollow neck by lining neck muscles with the same color.
E. Outline forehead Putty construction and fill in nose gash with R/B Red Makeup. Using Stipple Sponge, stipple Black and No. 10C Brown Makeup onto cheeks and forehead to simulate skin decomposition. Complete the look with Stage Blood and costume.

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Cat/Animal Makeup Application

Cat/ Animal
Optional Items:
Mehron's Tri-Color Alien Makeup Palette containing black, gold and silver makeup

A. Sketch eyeliner, nose and upper lip shapes with black makeup. The other hair designs on face can be painted with a color to match wig or hair color.
B. Highlight around dark shapes with a light color. Carefully study the highlight shapes in eye and mouth area. They are important in creating animal shapes.
C. Accent remaining areas with a color of your choice (we used silver).
D. Accent hair with spray colors. We styled the model's natural hair into "ear" shapes and streaked it with silver and white spray.

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Frankenstein Monster Makeup Application

Frankenstein Monster

A. Using a makeup sponge apply a Green makeup base to the face leaving room around the hairline and eyes. Lightly dust with Mehron "Colorset" Powder removing excess with Powder Brush.
B. Using Black Makeup, "hollow" facial bones to add angularity to the face. Follow cheekbone line with Black makeup from the front of the ear down toward the jaw line. Blend in the Black makeup downward to create a deep shadow effect. Draw a line following the natural creases from alongside nose to the corner of the mouth. Blend in this crease towards the cheek. Paint in the hairline, eyebrows and lips, outline the eyes. Note that all shadows and wrinkles have a "hard edge" that is a somewhat unblended edge, and a soft edge which is blended completely into the base. Study the blending direction in our photos.
C. With White makeup lightly highlight the "hard edge" of the Black areas. Blend this White into the Green base.
D. Add final details, scars, etc.

Optional Special Effects and Tips:

  • Use Mehron Tooth F-X to create blackened or stained teeth.
  • Use Mehron 3-D Gel to create realistic scars, cuts, stitches, or in applying bolts.
  • Facial structure can be altered using Mehron Modeling Putty/Wax.

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    Rag Doll Makeup Application

    Rag Doll

    A. Cover face with appropriate skintone base (we used CreamBlend Stick no. 2B Extra Fair). Choose foundation according to natural skin tone. A warm, healthy glow works best with this character. "Set" makeup with Colorset Powder and remove excess with a Powder Brush. Leave room around eyes for accent color.
    B. Using a color lighter than base, fill in eye area (we used CreamBlend Stick White). Apply circles to cheeks using red makeup (we used Pro-Pencil Jumbo).
    C. Fill in nose and lips with red makeup. Using black makeup (we used CreamBlend Stick) draw a line over eyebrow and from red cheek circles to red lips. Create little triangles with black makeup, above and below eyes using a cosmetic brush.
    D. Using red makeup create freckles around cheeks. "Set" entire makeup with Colorset Powder. Add red wig.

    Hints:
    Do not mix water soluble makeups with grease makeups. Start with a minimum of makeup. It's easier to add more color than to

    Rag Doll

    A. Cover face with appropriate skintone base (we used CreamBlend Stick no. 2B Extra Fair). Choose foundation according to natural skin tone. A warm, healthy glow works best with this character. "Set" makeup with Colorset Powder and remove excess with a Powder Brush. Leave room around eyes for accent color.
    B. Using a color lighter than base, fill in eye area (we used CreamBlend Stick White). Apply circles to cheeks using red makeup (we used Pro-Pencil Jumbo).
    C. Fill in nose and lips with red makeup. Using black makeup (we used CreamBlend Stick) draw a line over eyebrow and from red cheek circles to red lips. Create little triangles with black makeup, above and below eyes using a cosmetic brush.
    D. Using red makeup create freckles around cheeks. "Set" entire makeup with Colorset Powder. Add red wig.

    Hints:
    Do not mix water soluble makeups with grease makeups. Start with a minimum of makeup. It's easier to add more color than to subtract.

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    Mehron 3-D Gel Special Effects Application

    Scarface

    A. Place bottle of Mehron 3-D Gel into hot water (70 C/158 F water is optimal. NO HOTTER!) until Gel has liquefied (Do Not Microwave). Always test the temperature of Gel before using. Apply directly from the bottle, or squeeze small amounts onto a clean hard surface.
    B. Using a small brush, finger, or spatula apply small amounts of 3-D Gel onto skin. Apply in thin layers until desired thickness is achieved. Allow to cool between layers. Blend in well with the skin dipping finger into warm water and smoothing over the 3-D Gel.
    C. After the 3-D Gel is applied in the desired thickness allow to cool. Cut or tear away pieces to create open wounds or cuts.
    D. With a small brush apply Mehron Stage Blood for desired effect. Hint, for open wounds gently push Stage Blood underneath the 3-D Gel from the open wound edge. This creates a bruising effect.

    Optional Special Effects and Tips:

  • Add Mehron Liquid Makeup to the liquefied 3-D Gel for special effects coloring.
  • To create textures and bumps, use a cosmetic brush to tack the gel before it fully cools.
  • Use a makeup brush prior to the Stage Blood to blend in the Gel to your skin.
  • An application of Mehron "Colorset" Powder will reduce the shine.
  • For longer lasting "blood" effects use Mehron's "Blood Red" 3-D Gel in place of Stage Blood.

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    Latex Textures Makeup Application

    Ghoulish Zombie

    Two different textures are shown. The left side of the photo is created with cotton and latex, which produces a lumpy surface. The right side is created with tissue and latex. This technique creates a wrinkled or "mummified" surface.

    A. Begin both techniques by applying a thin coat of liquid latex to the skin. Latex can be applied with a brush or a sponge on larger areas. Work on small areas of the face as shown in figure 1. The latex dries quickly.
    B. Place small pieces of cotton into the wet latex. Fray the edges of the cotton to help conceal edges. Once you have the desired area covered, apply liquid latex over the cotton with a sponge that is very wet with latex. Allow the latex to dry. Drying time can be quickened by using a blow dryer set on warm.
    C. Tissue can be used instead of cotton to create wrinkles. Use one "ply" of tissue. Tear or fray the edges to make them easier to conceal. Set the wrinkled sheet of tissue into the wet latex. Apply more wet latex over the wrinkled tissue. Again, dry with a blow dryer.
    D. For best results you should use Latex Mask Cover makeup. The base color is Light Flesh (LM25A) with gray and black shadows painted into the deep areas. The highlights are painted with white makeup lightly sponged onto the high areas. Set with Colorset Powder.

    Optional Special Effects and Tips:

  • Test latex on a small area of skin before use. If burning or redness develops, discontinue use.
  • Do not get latex in hair or on clothing. Dry latex will peel off skin but will stick to hair. Dry latex cannot be dissolved. If working over eyebrows or near hairline, cover the hair with modeling wax.
  • Dry latex has a sticky surface. You should powder each area after you dry it.
  • To remove simply peel off. Difficult areas can be loosened by washing with warm, soapy water. Do not use oily removers on latex.

    Costume World is a Mehron dealer. Makeup instructions courtesy of Mehron. 

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