What is Zombie Skin?

Zombie Skin was introduced to the public at Hauntcon in Pittsburgh Pa in 2012.  Zombie Skin was first sold at the Midwest Haunters Convention in Columbus, Ohio and SOLD OUT!!! 

Zombie Skin is an ammonia free latex product with the consistency of whipped butter. It has many uses from blending prosthetic edges to creating cuts, gashes, wounds, bites and even claw marks. That’s just to name a few.

Zombie Skin was first sold at the Midwest Haunters Convention in Columbus, Ohio, and was then introduced to the public at the 2012 Hauntcon in Pittsburgh, PA. Due to it’s fast drying, easy manipulation, and all around efficiency Zombie Skin seems to be taking the makeup world by storm.

How does it work? It’s simple, far simpler then latex with a much faster application time.

For cuts:

         1) Spread the Zombie Skin on the skin with a craft stick.

2) Give the ZS about 30 seconds to start drying

3) Take the edge of the stick and make a cut in the Zombie Skin.  

*As you make the cut you should see the Zombie Skin start to pull away just like when you cut your skin.

       4) Allow Zombie Skin to finish drying. 

5) Take your makeup and apply as you would normally

6) Add blood as needed.  

*Remember less is more in some cases.

Here is what a cut might look like using Zombie Skin.

Here is what a cut might look like using Zombie Skin.

For wounds:

       1) Spread the Zombie Skin on the skin with a craft stick.

2) Wait untill the Zombie Skin is about half way dry.

*About 45 seconds, but you may have to play with the timing to get it just right. With this it is important to remember that Zombie Skin dries faster the warmer the person is. This is because it uses a person’s body heat to help it dry so fast.  

3) Once the Zombie Skin is semi dry take a cotton swab and push it into the Zombie Skin.

4) Pull out the Zombie Skin.

*The Zombie Skin will be attached to the cotton swab. This is perfectly normal; you want it to look as though the skin has been torn.

 5) Move around the Zombie Skin to make the hole look like a deep wound

6) Take your makeup and apply as you normally would.  

This is my attempt at a shallow wound, I was going for a cigar burn. This is my attempt at a shallow wound, I was going for a cigar burn.

For bites:

1) Spread the Zombie Skin on the neck with a craft stick.

2) Push a cotton swab into the Zombie Skin.

3) Rotate the cotton swab in a circle

4) Pull out the cotton swab

*This should leave a perfect circle/ bite in the neck.

5) Repeat steps 3 and 4 to make multiple tooth punctures if needed If not skip to step 6.

6) Take your makeup and apply as you normally would.  

7) Add blood as needed.  

This is to give you an idea of what a vampire bite might come out looking like.

There are a million and one uses for Zombie Skin all you have to do is use your imagination and try out a few ideas. 

For more information about Zombie Skin check out these links.

Zombie Skin Home Page

Instructables

To purchase Zombie Skin check out these links.

Zombie Skin Clear

Zombie Skin Flesh Tone

AEOstudios

How to Turn Your Friend Into a Zombie

David after I was done with him on Halloween.

Turning some one into a zombie is pretty basic. All you are basically doing is lightening the persons skin tone and then shading in the usual areas, cheek bones, temples, and under the chin (if it's a guy), and then you shade the eyes, to sink them in. That may sound rather complicated to some, so like always, I'm going to walk you threw the process step by step.

1. Apply the foundation to your actors face
• Make sure to use a foundation that is 2 tones lighter then your model's
• Make sure you blend the foundation down you model's neck
2. Apply shadows to your actor 
• (Make sure the shadow in 1 tone darker then your actors natural tone)
• Just under the cheek bones
• At the temples
• Around the eyes
• Under the jawline
• On the side of the nose
3.  Apply highlights
• On cheek bones
• On the bridge of the nose
4. Apply greens and yellows
• Apply these around the shadows to give your actor a sickly look
• After applying bruises add some more greens and yellows
5. Apply bruises
• Apply different shades of reds 
6. Apply setting powder
7. Add rigid collodion
• You apply this by liberally applying this to your model's skin
• This may take multiply applications 
• Allow this to dry between applications
8. Make any needed touch ups
9. Apply setting powder
10. Apply congealed blood
• Add this where the rigid collodion has dried to make realistic wounds

Now you know how to turn your friend into a realistic zombie.

Your friend should look something like this.

Here's a video of me turning my friend into one so you can see the process.

If you need any more help you can check out these websites.

• YouTube
• about.com
• instuctables.com

If you needed make up or any of the supplies you used in this application you can order it from these websites.

• AEO Studios 
• FX Warehouse

How to Make Gelatin

Today I am going to teach you how to make gelatin. Gelatin is very important tool when you are a special effects and makeup artist.

This is what you can do with gelatin and food coloring.

Gelatin is easy enough to make, however some times the ingredients can be hard to find.

To make gelatin you need:

1. 450 gram Glycerine 
2. 450 gram Sorbitol 
3. 150-200 gram Gelatine powder

 Once you find all the ingredients you:

1. Mix the liquids and one tablespoon of water in a plastic or glass bowl. 
2. Put it into the microwave for 4 minutes.
• This time is for an 800 watt microwave.
• You microwave this until it is warm enough when you can’t put your finger in it without burning it. 
• Remember that you should never let the gelatine boil but just melt it.
3. Add the powder slowly while stirring fast. 
4. Let the gelatine powder absorb the liquid and swell for five minutes. 
5. Put it back in the microwave for two minutes. 
• Open and stir a few times during. 
• Remember that gelatine is not allowed to boil! 
6. Take it out and let it cool for two minutes  
• Stir often during this time. 
7. Repeat the four minute procedure seven to eight times.
• Switch between heating and cooling the gelatin.
• This is needed to thoroughly melt the gelatine powder. 
• You can put a little drop on a cool surface and feel how it feels when it's cooled down. 
• If it is all done it is a very soft but still firm 
• This is how gelatine feels when it's good.
8. Let the gelatin cool for a while before pouring it down in a zip lock bag (a thick one). 
9.  Put it flat on the table to cool. 
10. The gelatine can now be re-melted whenever you need to use it. 

Tip! As you need to let the gelatine cool between the runs in the microwave, do two batches at the same time. This saves you a lot of time.

 Health and safety! Gelatine is HOT! If you get it on your skin it will burn you until your skin comes off! I always wear protective gloves, covered shoes, long trousers and protective glasses. You can't play it too safe when working with dangerous materials.

 This is a step by step video on how to make and use gelatin for cool effects.

For more info about gelatin for where to buy some already made gelatin check out these links.
how to make burns
makeup special effects supply store
how to and supply link

How to Slit Your Friends Throat

I have done many post on make-up so far, but now I am finally going to tell you how to do a special effect.  Today I am going to tell you how to rig a blood effect. This effect will cost you less then $15 in total.

The supplies you will need are:

1. a turkey baster $3, syringe $3, or ketchup bottle $1 (all from Walmart)
2. clear plastic tubing $3, or bendy straws $1
3. duct tape 4$
4. blood $5

Once you have all the supplies it's time to build your rig.

If you use plastic tubing:

1. Fit the plastic tubing over the spout of what your baster, syringe, or ketchup bottle
2. wrap the duct tape around the gape as tight as possible to prevent any leaks

If you use bendy straws:

1. fit the bendy straw over the spout of what your baster, syringe, or ketchup bottle
2. wrap the duct tape around the gape as tight as possible to prevent any leaks 
3. Fit the second bendy straw into the first
4. wrap the duct tape around the gape as tight as possible to prevent any leaks  
5. repeat as needed

Once you have built your rig it's time to use it. The example I am going to use is if you are going to slit some ones throat.

To do this  and achieve a believable effect you need a fake knife and your rig.

Here are the steps to achieve this effect:

1. Pour the blood into your ketchup bottle or suck it into your baster or syringe
2. Tape your tube or straw to the side of your knife
3. Place your baster, syringe, or ketchup bottle behind your actors head
4. Stand next to your actor and  angle the knife so that the camera cant see your starw or tube
5. squeeze the baster, syringe, or ketchup bottle
6. once the blood near the tip of the straw or tube begin to pull the knife across your actors throat.
7. You have now slit your friends throat.

Here is a video of my friend and I learning to achieve this effect. 

Remember if at first you don't succeed try, try again. 

If you are looking for more of a way to make your blood to shot everywhere check out this website.

How to Give Someone a Black Eye

Black eyes, they happen to clumsy people, people who get in fights, and some people who can't catch. So as a make up artist it is a good idea to know how to give some one a black eye. 

Here are the items you will need...

1. Nose and scar wax
2. Lotions (lots of lotions)
3. Bruises makeup wheel 
1. with green and purple
2. with red and yellow
4. Skin tone make up
5.  Sponges
6. paint brush
7. Translucent Powder
8. Some form of a wedge

Now here's the steps you should take.

1.  Apply lotion to your hands, or else the putty will stick to you
2. apply putty around your actors eye area making sure to smooth down the edges
3.  once finished applying the putty and blending the edges it is time to start the make up application. This is very tricky. The putty will want to stick to your sponge or brush unless you first apply lotion to the putty.
4. Apply light amounts of lotion to the putty and then shade your eye and make sure to shade onto the skin and not just the putty
1. first red
2. then green
3. purple
4. skin tone
5. Then lightly apply your powder being careful to only dust the eye area 
6. Now go show off your handy work cause you have just given your friend a black eye.

 The whole process looks something like this.

For more info on black eyes or to buy makeup products check out these sites.

How to Gouge an Arm

Have you ever seen one of those movies when some on have a chunk of skin cut off their arm. Well that's what I'm going to teach you how to do today.

For this activity you will need

1. Gelatine
2. Food coloring
3. Modeling putty
4. Skin tone make up
5. Bruise and FX makeup wheels
6. Cotton balls
7. Popsicle stick
8. Lotion
9. ProsAid

Here are toe steps to create your gouge...

1. melt down the solid gelatine, about 20 seconds in the microwave. 
2. stir in about 4 drops of red food coloring and 2 of blue. 
3. CHECK to make sure that it is not to hot for your model's skin. 
4. Once it has cooled down take the popsicle stick and spead a layer onto your model's skin. T
5. Pulled apart a cotton ball and bloat the gelatine.
• This wall create a texture in the gelatine.
6. Once you are satisfied with your texture amount add another layer of gelatine.
• You can repeat steps 5 and 6 until you are satisfied with the results.
• On the last layer try and spread the edges out as thin as possible.
  

Once satisfied with your gelatine it is time to build up the wound.

1. Put the lotion on your hands and pull out the modeling putty
2. Start molding the putty around the gelatine
• Apply a layer of ProsAid to your model's skin  between each strip of putty
3. Once you have your border blend the outer edges down
4. Apply 2 thin layers of ProsAid to make the putty stronger

Now it's time to make it look real.

1. Add some pink and red to a sponge and blend it onto the putty
2. Add some skin tone to the edges of the putty and blend onto your model's skin.
3. Add some purple to the inner edge or the putty.
4. Take a good last look and use your best judgement to make it look realistic.

Your final result should look something like this.

 For more cool stuff to do with gelatine check out this cool video.
This is also a cool article about making scars and burns.

How to Make Fake Blood for Under $5.

Now many people when they need fake blood will just go out and buy it. Of course that can get a bit pricey, plus stuff will most likely stain your clothes and skin. Now I cant promise what I am going to tell you how to make won’t stain your clothes, but there will be less of a chance. And the skin staining problem, if this does stain your skin I’ll give you the secret to get it off. And no it’s not soap and water that almost never works on stains.

      Warning this may be considered graphic!
It’s always a good ides to test your fake blood before you have the actor have to spit it up.

Items you will need, if you don’t already have them on hand. *This may raise your price by $1.50*

1. 1 empty water bottle
2. Food coloring
3. Karo/ corn syrup

*Karo syrup is just a tad thicker*

That’s it!

Now here’s what you have to do to make your fake blood.
Empty your bottle of water a little over half way
 Fill the rest of your bottle with syrup
 Now add :

                4 drops red
                2 drops yellow
                1 drop blue
 Shake the bottle
 Pour a little on your hand to test the color
 If needed add more blue
    *you may need to play with it to find your desired color*
    *The more food coloring you use the more it stains.*
If to watery or to think add more water or syrup’
Now you have your BLOOD!

Dead girl says, "YAY!!"

Now it’s time for the last step, the camera test! Your should always check to see how your blood looks in the light it will be filmed in. You never want to get on set and find your blood looks to red or to purple.

Now you have your very own edible fake blood. You can’t find that in stores, and all for under 5$. Now I promised to tell you the secret to unstain your skin, if it stains at all. The secret is... Lysol Bleach Wipes! That or Shaving Cream, the white ones not the gel.

I hope this post has helped you. Come back next week for more makeup know-how.

Halloween and Prothetics

At work last week we offered make up applications for people who wanted to get dressed up for Halloween but didn't know how to do it them selves. So I thought it would be a cool idea to so a quick how to on prosthetic application.

A prosthetic, in make up, is a latex or foam latex wound or mask that is typically applied to the actor with pros-aid adhesive.

The first thing I did was some research on videos people may watch if trying to learn to apply a prosthetic on their own. I found one very informative YouTube video, Walking Dead Style Prosthetic Application. It walks you threw the full application process and is a great DIY for any beginner make up artist.

When applying a  prosthetic there are some must have supplies...
- sponges
- pros-aid/ cream pros-aid*

   *cream pros-aid is simply stronger then the normal liquid pros-aid and can be used if you are applying a heavy duty prosthetic.

- invisible powder

- RMG (grease paint)*

   *used to paint the prosthetic

- Q-tips

- latex*

   *used to hide the edges if needed and can't be done with the pros-aid

And finally to remove the prosthetic all you need is...

- Super-solve

- Q-tips

- Cotton balls

Fist to remove the prosthetic you work the q-tip around the edges until you have a nice lip. Then you GENTLY peal the prosthetic up while working the q-tip under the edge. This process can take several q-tips.  Finally when done your actor may still have some residual pros-aid on his face. To remove that simply saturate a cotton ball and in small circular motions rub away the excess pros-aid. 

If you wish to attempt your own prosthetic you can visit any local special FX store and purchase your own supplies.

If you are in the Orlando area you can visit AEO Studios.

If you are in the Tampa area you can visit FX Warerhouse.

Or you can always Google "Make up and SFX".