Even though George Romero dealt zombies a black eye with Survival of the Dead, not even the Twilight Saga can minimize the fascination Americans have with the zombie. Learn how to do Halloween zombie makeup and show your appreciation for gore.
The Fascination with the Zombie
In general terms, a zombie is little more than a rotting human body in varying stages of active decomposition. In her must-read article “Survival of the Dead Review – Buy, Rent, or Pass,” AC’s own Katy Cross narrows down the fascination with the reanimated corpse theme that has so many aficionados dig deep into the zombie makeup kit: zombies elicit the human horror of becoming prey and the fear of becoming infected.
The Cullen clan cannot touch on this primal fear, which will cause many youngsters even this year to wonder how to do Halloween zombie makeup right – rather than buy a set of fake fangs.
Zombie Makeup Kit Basics
While the clothing choices are optional, what makes the Halloween zombie stand out is the makeup. Unlike other characters where it is possible to get by with a lot of white stage makeup, zombie makeup stands and falls with the detail work.
Liquid Latex Starter Kit
It is a common misconception that learning how to do Halloween zombie makeup is as simple as using the facial skin as canvas. While this might work in a pinch, the true zombies aficionado will invest in a starter kit from Liquid Latex or similar suppliers. The added bonus here is the array of application tools that come with it.
Zombie Makeup Kit Colors
Purchase white, red, green, brown, yellow and black stage makeup. Add a few sheets of white absorbent kitchen towels (Viva works best). Include a teeth coloring kit.
Nuts and Bolts on How to Do Zombie Makeup
Shave excess facial hair, wash off any makeup and apply the liquid latex. The starter kit offers detailed instructions and also provides the zombie fan with the tools needed to affect an even coverage.
Ready for the flaps of skin and dark, deep gashes? Grab the latex kit and scoop some globs of the stuff onto the areas of the face where the holes will appear. Stay away from areas of the face that frequently move, such as the forehead or the area right next to the mouth. As the latex dries, rip the paper towel into smaller pieces and apply it to the material
Apply white stage makeup to the latex. Circle the eyes with a mix of black and green. Note the frown and smile lines on the face. Apply the dark mix to these areas as well. Create a flesh tone by mixing red, brown and white. Make it look sickly with a small helping of yellow. Apply it over the stage makeup and blend it in with the black and green.
Carefully gash the thicker latex areas with the paper towel. Puncture the area with the end of a makeup brush or create an uneven rip by running a key through the material. Hold on tight to the latex to avoid a complete loosening from the mask!
Fill the hole or gash with a mix of black, red and brown paint. Color the exterior of the bump with a mix of yellow and black that gradually fades into the flesh tones you prepared. This heightens the sensation of dealing with diseased or rotted flesh.
Zombie Makeup Tips from the Pros
If this dip into the zombie makeup kit is still too shallow, there are options. The Zombie Makeup Site explains how to add a bit of white plastic to give the illusion of showing some bone. For the creatively impaired, it is possible to purchase ready-made skin gashes and the like at a shop devoted to selling stage makeup.
A final word of advice: learning how to do Halloween zombie makeup right hinges on attention to detail. Plenty a well-made-up zombie has ruined the effect by showing off pearly whites. Remember to yellow the teeth in keeping with the illusion of presenting a reanimated corpse!
Sources
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/5448586/survival_of_the_dead_review_buy_rent.html?cat=40
http://www.liquidlatex.com/latexkits.html
http://zombies.tomwalsham.com/skull.html
