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

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".