Thanks to special SFX makeup, artists have managed to transform themselves and others into scary undead creatures. From a bizarre facial accident to a rotting face, there is no limit to how realistic and advanced SFX makeup can get.
Although recreating horror movie-worthy looks with the basic tools in your makeup drawer is tough, there are various ways you can go about it. Household materials like glue sticks, cotton and food colouring can be used, and you don’t have to break the bank.
For this upcoming Halloween, check out these seven scary SFX makeup ideas. Use these ideas during Halloween or a costume party, and be ready to turn heads or scare the living daylights out of unsuspecting colleagues!
Makeup Idea #1: Sewed Shut Mouth
If you decide to try out this scary SFX makeup idea, make sure you drink or eat before heading out because sewing your mouth shut will make these activities challenging. Using liquid latex, cotton wool and tissue, coat the lower half of your face, and layer until you achieve the desired thickness. On top of the liquid latex, apply foundation and blend in blush to give it a bruised effect.
Use a pair of scissors to cut your mouth line, and then paint the area with red and black SFX makeup. Next, colour the skin flaps with red paint/makeup, and rub on fake blood to make things seriously disgusting. Finally, poke holes into the latex, and sew the mouth shut using thread.
To take your makeup to the next level, try doing the unzipped zipper face look! The unzipped zipper face, or half unzipped face, is a creepy optical illusion, which will turn heads wherever you go. Using primer, give your face a base coat. Next, use spirit gum to glue a zipper onto your face and leave half of it unzipped. On the unzipped portion, apply fake blood (the gorier, the better). To make the skin look rotten, make use of black eye shadow. You can also use it around your eyes for an undead terrifying look.
Makeup Idea #2: Ripped Mouth/Smile
To achieve this look, start by tracing the smile using liquid latex. Next, layer tissue and more latex to give your mouth a realistic ripped look. Along the outline you’ve created, blend a nude shade of makeup and set it with powder. Place a make-up brush between your skin and the latex, then use a pair of scissors to make the “tear” in your face. To finish it off, paint the wound red, and add the fake blood. For scary SFX makeup, bloodier is always better.
Makeup Idea #3: Slit Throat
The slit throat is a classic trope of the “old school slasher movie victim”, and this scary SFX makeup idea is quite easy to achieve. Start by layering tissue and liquid latex on your neck, then use foundation to cover it. Using a pair of scissors, cut a slit in the latex, but beware of your neck—you don’t want to involve real blood. Finally, fill the slit with red makeup, blush, and fake blood.
Makeup Idea #4: The Nun
This SFX makeup idea is inspired by a fictional character from The Nun movie. Considering the trailer was so scary that it was taken off the internet, this SFX makeup idea will warrant some major reactions.
Achieving this look can be a little complicated because alimorph plastic is needed to create the nun’s gums and teeth. If you have braces, you shouldn’t do this. To recreate this look, start by using a glue stick to glue down your brows, and then paint them white. Next, use putty to craft yourself a fake nose. Paint your entire face white, and line your eyes with intense black makeup. Contour your forehead, cheeks and nose in black too, and finish off with some black lipstick. Squirt some hairspray on your face to bring it all together.
Makeup Idea #5: Pulled Up Skin
This SFX makeup idea technically requires making up only half of your face. The first step is to cover one of your eyebrows using a glue stick. Next, apply liquid latex. To separate the “real” you from your “inner demon,” draw a line down the middle part of your face and use red make up to cover one side.
Using black eyeshadow, contour around your eyebrow, cheeks, nose and eyes. For a more sunken looking face, add some highlighter. Finally, add white coloured contacts to make things extra creepy, but be sure to purchase them from a reliable source so you know they’re safe.
Makeup Idea #6: Horror Smiley
Although this isn’t the most comfortable look to wear, it will turn heads in every room you step into. To achieve this look, first, use a skullcap to cover your hair. Next, plaster your face with a tissue and liquid latex. Let it dry. Cover the white using flesh-coloured makeup, and paint black slits around your eyes. Cut out your new mouth using a pair of scissors. Paint it black. Blend the contrasting tones with red makeup and then draw on black stitches. To finish off the look, apply fake blood where you see fit.
Makeup Idea #7: Torn Smile
This SFX makeup idea will make you look like the happiest and creepiest creature at the party. Begin by applying a skullcap. Next, outline a smile using a pencil while making sure your mouth and eyes are inside the line. Using liquid latex, cover the outside of the smile, then lift the edges to make the smile look torn.
Colour the inside part with matte black paint, and stick on your fake teeth using spirit gum. Paint the latex ivory, and then go wild with the fake blood. To finish off the look, squirt some hairspray across the face.
