spooky1

Anyone know how to do some good Zombie makeup so I don't need to wear an uncomfortable mask?

shakran

Halloween, my favorite holiday because I can scare the holy piss out of the neighbor kids without getting arrested

As you know a zombie is a reanimated corpse, so you gotta look like you've been dead awhile.

You want grey pancake makeup and either green or blue pancake makeup. Green is the more traditional zombie color but I like blue better because that's the color a dead guy's skin will turn if the embalmer doesn't use makeup on him. You also want a natural makeup sponge. You can get all this crap at the costume/magic shop, and the clerk can usually give you tips on applying it. Lightly sponge (dab the sponge on your face, DON'T smear or wipe it!) on a grey base (don't cover the entire skin), then move to the color, then a little more grey, then a little more color. You'll end up with a creepy rotting flesh effect that will have natural-looking light and dark areas, just like a regular face. If you get too much on there or you "paint" it on you'll end up with a shiny face or a plastic looking face, and that's no good. Be sure to get your neck and ears too or it'll look really dumb. Do the neck at least 4 inches below where the collar of your shirt will hit.

Black lipstick and eyeliner, and some talcum powder in your hair (assuming you're dark haired - if you're blond/red and want to go all out do some temporary hair color - - it washes out after 5 or 6 showers) will complete the face. If you're ambitious you can move to your hands too - - but leave the palms alone or you'll drip all over everything.

If you're REALLY ambitious costume shops sell prosthetics that can make it look like the flesh is melting off your face. Apply the prosthesis first (wash your face unbelievably well, then glue it on with spirit gum), then the makeup.

Now a white longsleeved (unless you makeup the arms) Tshirt, collarless if you can find it, dyed a dirty grey and ripped to shreds (not too much ripping or your regular skin tone will show underneath and ruin the effect- - unless of course you're insane like me and do the makeup on your torso too Otherwise wear a black tshirt underneath the white one to hide your skin), and some torn up and dirty jeans/slacks will complete the look.

Believe it or not this is a very simple zombie effect. If you went all out you'd have latex pieces all over your face to make it really look good - - but the trouble with latex pieces is that they get hot, and you sweat into them, and it's uncomfortable. That's fine if you're doing a haunted house because you're going all out but if it's a party or something, it makes it less fun. Plus a corner of the latex inevitably comes unglued and then all the sweat runs down your face and wrecks more stuff. . . yeah, you get the idea

la petite moi

Dang Shakran, good advice. I was going to add that maybe you should smear some dirt around on your clothes, so it looks like you just pulled yourself out of the grave...

shakran

Hehe. Been doing haunted houses for more years than I care to admit

Another good trick is to get some Lee presson nails and shred the ends. This is somewhat difficult because the damn things are meant to be unbreakable. I had decent luck putting the nails into a small tabletop vise and using a wirebrush in a high speed drill. Then you paint 'em brown and put just a little dirt on 'em - spray 'em with shellac to hold the dirt in place and wear 'em. Presto, instant just-crawled-out-of-the-grave nails

vanblah

For a quick and dirty rotting flesh effect I've used plain liquid latex and brushed it on my cheeks, nose and forehead. You can do multiple layers of it--wait for it to dry between coats. It drys relatively clear.

JUST BEFORE the last coat is dry, start touching it in random spots fairly lightly with your fingertip making little pockmarks and rips in it. Nice hanging flesh effect.

Then when it's completely dry again use make up over it to make it look like dead flesh. Colors are grey, blue and green for hanging flesh areas and "non-rotten" areas. Colors for pockmarks are: dark red/maroon, purple and greenish brown (putrid).

You can also try elmers glue if there's no liquid latex to be had. Same thing, just don't let the final coat dry completely before creating the pockmars and hanging flesh.

BEWARE -- if you are a guy and you have just shaved liquid latex burns like hell. It will make your zombie character more believable because you'll be so pissed off.

Sultana

Note: Latex removal entails the removal of any hairs on that part of the skin. And be Very aware of the type of latex used for this purpose, there's stuff out there that is actually dangerous, and not intended for use on skin.

I'm hoping to do something similar, and I'm planning on using a light coat of vaseline mixed with red food dye (just a bit, to turn it pink, I don't want to dye my skin), so when I peel it off, it looks kinda grody underneath, and actually protects my skin.

You can also incorporate toilet tissue/kleenex (tm) into the latex for a cheap icky-flesh technique.

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vanblah

Whoops, thanks for adding that about making sure to get the appropriate latex. I assumed too much.

Get liquid latex at a magic or costume supply store and make sure it's appropriate to apply directly to skin.

Sage

Hee hee... I'd say get liquid latex at the porn store.

Yeah, the porn store. There's a brand of liquid latex that is sold in sex stores for making latex playwear. It's specifically made for ALL parts of the body so you know it's going to be safe for you to wear for a while. And it comes in a GAJILLION colors too!

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spooky1

Thanks for the tips everyone. I'll let you know how it turns out.