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 fake a scar

You can achieve scars like this using rigid collodion

-->

Now I know I have talked about scars in other post but I figured since scars can appear different depending on age I’d do a post to get a little more in depth on them.  

For this you will need:

- Rigid collodion

- Astringent

- Cream makeup scar wheel

- Skin tone cream make up

- Makeup sponges

- Small brushes

- Setting powder

- Brush Cleaner

- Powder puff

Basic preparation steps:

1. Decided how new the scar will be (depending on if this scar is shallow or deep.)
2. Research pictures of scars (shallow or deep)

·       A makeup artist always has reference pictures of what they are going to do.

3. Clean the area of skin with astringent
4. Apply a thin layer of rigid collodion
5. Allow the rigid collodion to dry
6. Repeat steps one and two until desired result is achieved

·       Shallow scars may require up to 4 or 5 layers

·       Deep scars may require only 2 or 3 layers

The next few steps are for shallower scars:

1.     Using a makeup sponge lightly add some red makeup directly onto the scar and blend out about a centimeter or two, not even

2.     Powder to set the make up

3.     If the scar still appears to faint or is to close to the color of the surrounding, now pinkish, skin take the small brush and a little bit of red and brush it into the scar

·       You may need to blend the red with some skin tone to achieve your desired results. This can be done before or after the application. I would suggest after. You can use it to blend the color out a little further, almost like a safety net.

4.     Take a clean edge of your sponge and dab at the scar until it is blended almost evenly

5.     Powder to set the makeup

6.     Using a makeup sponge lightly apply a think layer of skin tone makeup to the scar and surrounding area

7.     Powder to set makeup

8.     Repeat steps 6-7 until desired result is achieved

The next few steps are for deeper scars:

1.     Using a small brush lightly add some red makeup directly onto the scar

2.     Using a makeup sponge blend out, no centimeter or two, onto the skin

3.     Powder to set the makeup

4.     Using a small makeup brush, the same one is ok, add a small amount of purple to the scar

5.     Using a clean side of your wedge blend the purple out, no more then a centimeter, onto the skin

6.     Powder to set the make up

7.     If still not the desired result repeat steps 4-6 using blue

8.     Using a makeup sponge apply a thin layer of skin tone make up to your scar and the surrounding area

9.     Powder to set the makeup

10.   Repeat step 8-9 until desired result is achieved.

That is how you fake a scar, new or old. If you wish to spice up a brand new scar you can add some congealed blood directly onto the rigid collodion after you are done shading the area with red makeup. This gives the appearance of a recent cut. 

Scars combine with bruises always give a cool effect.

Here are some helpful links

Rigid Collodion Info

AEO Studios

YouTube Tutorial 

How to Make a Severed Head

-->

This week I am going to tell you all how to make a severed head.

The supplies you are going to need are:

1.     A head mold

2.     Casting latex

3.     Poly foam

4.     Acrylic paint

5.     A hot glue gun

6.     Hot glue

7.     Fake eyes

8.     A wig or crepe hair

9.     A dremel

10. Something to hold the two half’s of the head mold together

11. Packing peanuts (optional)

12. Screwdriver (optional)

13. Scissors

14. Spongy material

The first step is to tie your two halves of your mold together very tightly.

The second step is to slush the mold. To do this you pour the casting latex into the head mold to about the half way or quarter point. They you slowly rotate your mold while pouring out the latex back into it’s original container.

Step three let the latex dry over night, or up against a fan for 6 to 12 hours. You want to make sure it has set and is no longer wet, sticky, tacky, in any way not completely dry.

Step four. Mix the two active components of your poly foam. It should be about a 25 to 12 ratio.

If you are using the packing peanuts add them in first and make sure they are up to at least the half waypoint. Then you add your poly foam. You ratio should be about 14 to 7.

Step five. Once your foam has risen and set, about 20 to 30 minutes after you added it, you are now ready to pull your mold. You may now untie your mold and carefully pull it apart. You may need to use a screwdriver to separate the two halves.

Step six. Once you have pulled the mold it is time to dremel. You must dermal down the edges where there is a seam. You need to make this as smooth and invisible as possible.

Step seven. Once you are done dremaling you now need to trim the excess foam from about the neck. SAVE THIS! DO NOT THROW IT AWAY!

Step eight. Now heat up your hot glue gun and decide how you will position the let over latex that you have trimmed off the neck. This will be your arteries, guts and gore factor. NOTE! Do not glue these into the center! Leave the center open incase you decided to add a vertebra.

Step nine. Glue the latex.

Step ten. Mix your paint with some of your casting latex. Attempt to get a dark purplish reddish color.

Step eleven. Sponge paint the white poly foam and latex.

Step twelve. Let the paint dry.

Step thirteen. Cut out the eye area.

Step fourteen. Choose a pair of eyes and gently insert them into the now open eye area.

Step fifteen. Add some blues and reds very subtly around the neck area. This just adds some realness and depth to your head.

Step sixteen. Pick out a wig and hot glue it to your head.

Optional step seventeen. If you wish you can use more paint to apply make up to your head, if you wish it to be a girl, or to add color to the lips and cheeks.

Optional step eighteen. You can now add some of your reddish latex to the hair and on your head’s face to make it appear beaten.

Optional step eighteen. If you wish you can use more paint to apply make up to your head, if you wish it to be a girl, or to add color to the lips and cheeks.

Hooray! You now have your very own severed head. Use it at Halloween, in a movie, to scare your friends, scare your mom, your teacher, a person in a car accident (well that would just be rude). What I’m trying to say is enjoy it!

 

For more tips on how to make your own head or other body parts check out these links.

http://halloweenerrific.co.uk/tag/make-your-own-severed-head

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QR2C32eBAw

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 Make Fake Vomit

Many times in a movie you need an actor to vomit. Sometimes they are drunk, have just seen something disgusting, or maybe they are just really sick the actor must vomit convincingly. The trouble then comes in when the film maker must find a way to angle the camera to catch the "vomit" and make it appear that the actor is truly spewing vomit. The easiest way to do that is to make edible fake vomit. This can be done a variety of ways. One way is to mix pea soup and chilli or stew, another is to use bread and food coloring, and yet another way is apple sauce and gelatin. Those are just to name a few ways.

The recipe I like to use is a simple 4 step recipe. All you need is instant oatmeal, food coloring, a bowl, spoon, and maybe some corn puff cereal.

Step one-
You prepare to instant oatmeal by following the directions on the packet.You may want to add just a little bit more water then usual to make it more watery.

Step two-
Add green and yellow food coloring and maybe even some red. You can keep the color separated or blend them together to make it a murky brown color.

Step three-
Take a final look at your vomit. decide if you want it to be a bit chunkier or not. You can add some Corn Puffs if you feel it needs some chunks added.

Step four-
It is time to have the actor scoop your vomit into their mouth and project it out when the time comes. If the vomit does not come out the way you wish it to you can mix more water into it.

This recipe is completely edible and it is safe if the actor accidentally swallows some.

This is why it is always better to make edible vomit, so when you cant get the shot right you can always have your actor put it in their mouth.

If you want to know how to make even more gross body fluids you can check out this website.