Zombie make-up how-to guide

Monday, October 10, 2011

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Statesman staffer Gary Dinges, before zombification.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Statesman staffer Gary Dinges, before zombification.

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(Brandon Cobb)

To begin his transformation, Elda brushes latex makeup on Gary's forehead using a paintbrush. You don't need actual makeup brushes. Cheap paintbrushes from a hobby store work just fine.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Latex base makeup can be found at most costume shops. Elmer's Glue can also be used as a base, but it takes a little longer to dry.

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(Brandon Cobb)

While the latex base is wet Elda attaches toilet paper to Gary's face to create texture.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Elda tears excess toilet paper off of Gary's face.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Elda leaves a rough patch of toilet paper on Gary's face.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Elda brushes another layer of latex base makeup over the toilet paper as a fixative.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Elda coats the toilet paper with latex base makeup.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Elda fixes another piece of toilet paper to the side of Gary's face.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Elda tears excess toilet paper off of Gary's face.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Elda brushes latex makeup over the toilet paper on Gary's cheek.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Elda brushes latex makeup over the toilet paper on Gary's cheek.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Elda affixes a second piece of toilet paper over the first on Gary's cheek. On this one she leaves a crease which will form a deeper gash.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Gary's gash in progress.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Gary's gash in progress.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Elda also peels back some of the makeup on Gary's forehead to create another open wound.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Gary's forehead wound in progress.

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(Brandon Cobb)

After Gary's latex makeup dries (Elda uses a hairdryer to speed the process) Elda tears the toilet paper along the crease she created.

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(Brandon Cobb)

The dried latex makeup has a rubbery texture. It stretches when you pull on it and creates the effect of flaps of skin.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Gary's gash in progress.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Elda applies white cream body paint to Gary's face using a basic triangular makeup sponge.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Elda uses her forearm as a pallet to apply the white cream makeup to Gary's face.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Gary in mid-zombification.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Next Elda uses a cream-based makeup pallet to add color to Gary's face.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Gary in mid-zombification.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Elda brushes a base of white makeup all over Gary's face.

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(Brandon Cobb)

She uses green makeup around Gary's eyes, nostrils and the cleft of his chin.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Elda uses green makeup all around Gary's eyes. She says blue works too. Just be sure to fill the entire eye socket.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Elda applies green makeup to Gary's chin.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Elda smudges the dark blue makeup, blending it with the green.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Elda outlines Gary's eyes with dark blue cream makeup.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Elda outlines Gary's eyes with dark blue cream makeup.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Elda has Gary pucker his lips and suck in his cheeks. She uses green makeup along the contour of his cheeks to create a sunken effect.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Elda applies green makeup around Gary's nostrils.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Elda brushes Spirit Gum into the gash on Gary's face.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Elda uses Spirit Gum as an adhesive to attach textural elements to the face. Spirit Gum can be purchased at most costume stores.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Elda dips her brush in a plastic bag of ground coffee and uses the Spirit Gum to attach the coffee to Gary's face.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Elda fills Gary's gash with ground coffee to create a scab-like texture.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Elda fills Gary's gash with ground coffee to create a scab-like texture.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Elda also attaches coffee grounds to the wound on Gary's forehead.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Elda brushes 'blood' over Gary's wounds.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Elda brushes Gary's wound with blood. Elda combines corn syrup with red food coloring to create the blood. She adds a little green to create a more natural color.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Elda brushes blood on the side of Gary's cheek. She coats the edges of the torn latex makeup to create the effect of torn flesh.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Elda brushes blood into the wound on Gary's face.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Elda recommends using blood liberally and allowing it to drip to 'create a natural grossness.'

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(Brandon Cobb)

Elda uses a black eyeliner pencil to add black flecks to Gary's teeth.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Our zombie-in-progress drips with blood.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Elda uses dark makeup around Gary's lips.

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(Brandon Cobb)

To stain the teeth, Elda uses a product called Mehron Nicotine Tooth Decay. It's available in brown and black. She says you can also swish red Koolaid around in your mouth to stain the teeth.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Gary dries his teeth to prepare for the decay application.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Elda brushes the Nicotine Tooth Decay on Gary's teeth. It doesn't stain and peels off easily.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Gary Dinges, mild-mannered Statesman staffer by day, flesh-eating zombie by night!

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(Brandon Cobb)

Blood-sucking zombie Gary.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Be afraid. Be very afraid.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Deborah Sengupta Stith, generally good-natured Content Producer for Austin360.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Elda brushes latex makeup onto Deborah's face to begin her transformation.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Elda brushes a thick layer of latex makeup onto Deborah's face.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Elda uses a triangular makeup sponge to brush green cream makeup over Deborah's face.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Deborah in mid-zombification.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Elda makes multiple small tears in the latex makeup on Deborah's face to create a series of small wounds.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Elda makes multiple small tears in the latex makeup on Deborah's face to create a series of small wounds.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Elda makes multiple small tears in the latex makeup on Deborah's face.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Elda applies dark makeup around Deborah's eyes.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Elda applies Spirit Gum to Deborah's wounds.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Elda sticks Ramen noodle maggots in Deborah's wounds.

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(Brandon Cobb)

In addition to coffee grounds to create scabs, Elda applies maggots made of dried Ramen noodles to Deborah's face.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Deborah in mid-zombification.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Elda applies dark makeup to Deborah's lips.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Elda applies blood to Deborah's wounds. Remember, don't be afraid to let it drip.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Elda applies blood to Deborah's wounds.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Elda applies extra blood to Deborah's chin. She is, after all, a flesh-eater.

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(Brandon Cobb)

You know what zombies really like? Intestines. These intestines were made with pantyhose stuffed with cotton. Cut off one leg and slit it in half. Fill it with cotton, seal with a hot glue gun and soak it in blood.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Deborah Sengupta Stith, laid-back music blogger by day, ravenous blood-sucker by night.

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(Brandon Cobb)

Deborah Sengupta Stith along with makeup artist and zombification genius Elda Perez.

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