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

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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 Reusable Vomit

 This is a dramatization.

In film sometimes you may want to show a puddle of vomit. Today I'm going to tell you how I make reusable vomit.

Here's the supplies you will need:

• 1 Pot
• 1 cookie sheet
• various food
• water
• food coloring
• gelatin

Now when I say gelatin I don't mean the yummy delicious snake known as Jello, I mean make up gelatin. It's easy to make and will be used the base for the vomit and is necessary for making the vomit reusable. This is where you can find the recipe to make gelatin.
Once you have the gelatin made it is time to melt it down a block of it in the pot. You will want to add some water to thin out the gelatin. Once the block has boiled down it's time add food coloring. You will want to add about a 1/4 drop of green and 1/2 a drop of yellow. 

Now you will want to add some crushed up food. You add more for chunky looking vomit and less for a less chunky look. Once you mix the food up you may need to add a smidgen more water to help it cool down.

Before the gelatin has completely cooled you will want to pour the mixture onto a cookie sheet and place it in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes. After that time check the edges of your vomit and see if you can peel it up. If you can you have successfully made your reusable vomit, if you can't put it back in the fridge for a bit.

When finished your vomit may look something like this.

If you are looking for an easier way to make vomit you may want to check out this link.

If you get bored this vomit can also be used to prank your friends.

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.