If you’re like me and love getting creative with special effects makeup then this might be right up your alley, especially if you’re an independent filmmaker. I’ve found simple ingredients that are just as effective as big budget films, it’s quick and easy to make, you’ll be a pro in no time!
First, let’s start with making flakey skin.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Fabric glue
- Toilet paper
- Toothpicks
- Makeup or concealer
Step 1
Grab a toothpick and dip it into the glue. For my example I used my knuckles, however, you can put the glue wherever you want, you can apply it on your lips, forehead or fingers, the flakey skin look is great if your going for a sunburnt look or wanting to make your character look decayed.
Step 2
Take a square of toilet paper and peel the two layers so you have 2 thin pieces, rip them up in small pieces and apply them onto the glue.
Step 3
Apply glue on the desired areas, remember it’s important not to spread too much on. You want to spread thin layers, this way you won’t have thick clumps of glue and it’ll be easier to dry.
Keep adding thin layers of glue and toilet paper, add glue over the top of your toilet paper to stick it down more. The more layers you put on the more gross and flakey it will be.
Step 4
Once you’ve done your layering it’s time to put some colour into it, grab foundation that matches your skin and gently dab onto and around the glue.
If you don’t have foundation you can use concealer, it works just as well. Remember concealer is a bit thicker so just be careful to avoid clumps when applying.
Step 5
Once it’s dried and you’ve applied the amount of layers that you want, you can grab you’re toothpick and start weaving through, peeling up the glue and making holes. This is my favourite part, you can get as creative as you want!
It can look something like this!
That’s it folks! All I used was a bit of fabric glue and some toilet paper. It’s so simple and quick to make, you’ll be all set to make the best looking flakey skin on a low budget.
Now moving on to something a little more queasier…making a blister *read at own risk*
What you’ll need:
- Glucose
- blood
- cotton earbuds
- plastic plate
- red eyeshadow
- yellow eyeshadow
- Plastic mesh scourer
Step 1
Grab yellow eyeshadow, a brush and start applying it onto your skin.
Step 2
Take a cotton earbud and dip it in glucose, then dab it onto the yellow area you applied on your skin.
TIP: If you don’t have glucose, you can use bubble wrap. Latex, works well too.
It should look something like this.
Step 3
Add red eyeshadow around the glucose.
Step 4
Now it’s gonna get a bit bloody, use a cotton earbud to dip into the blood and place it around the glucose.
TIP: If you don’t have blood or don’t know how to make it here is an easy recipe
- Corn syrup
- blue dye
- red dye
Put blood around your blister.
Grab your plastic mesh scourer and slowly dab the blood, be careful not to get the blood on the glucose.
Mmmmmm ouch! If you want to make it look more gross you can drip some water around it or use moisture cream and add yellow food colouring to it and dab it on, it’ll make it look fresh and pussy. Gross right!?
How easy was that! It’s fun, easy and cheap. Perfect for any independent filmmakers on a low budget!
