Whether it is for a costume you are working on, attending a Renaissance Festival, or participating in interactive gaming, there are times when you just need to wear some pointed ears. Yes, that's right, I'm talking about elf ears.
I stumbled upon another instructable, "How to Apply Elf Ears," a few months ago, and thought I would offer a different approach to applying elf ears: how to apply elf ears realistically but also quickly. I have been wearing elf ears for about 8 years now, and have been painting and applying them professionally for about 6 years. I would classify myself as an elf ear expert.
When I first started wearing ears, I would spend at least an hour before the show painting, gluing, applying liquid latex, blow-drying, and then repainting the ears. And in the end, I would still have visible seams and mismatched colors on my skin and latex. After an hour of work, it still wouldn't look like the movies.
With this instructable, I hope to teach you how to maintain the color of your ears, so that when it is time to glue them on, you can stick them on in under 5 minutes, without sacrificing a realistic look. You will learn a few of the "cheats" that I have discovered to make your elven life a little easier.
I stumbled upon another instructable, "How to Apply Elf Ears," a few months ago, and thought I would offer a different approach to applying elf ears: how to apply elf ears realistically but also quickly. I have been wearing elf ears for about 8 years now, and have been painting and applying them professionally for about 6 years. I would classify myself as an elf ear expert.
When I first started wearing ears, I would spend at least an hour before the show painting, gluing, applying liquid latex, blow-drying, and then repainting the ears. And in the end, I would still have visible seams and mismatched colors on my skin and latex. After an hour of work, it still wouldn't look like the movies.
With this instructable, I hope to teach you how to maintain the color of your ears, so that when it is time to glue them on, you can stick them on in under 5 minutes, without sacrificing a realistic look. You will learn a few of the "cheats" that I have discovered to make your elven life a little easier.
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Signing UpStep 1: Supplies
The following is a list of necessary supplies, a list of optional items, and finally a list of not really needed items. This necessary list assumes that you can purchase the elf ears pre-painted or find someone to paint them for you, either of which makes your life much easier.
Necessary:
Elf ears
Spirit gum
Optional:
Ear Cuffs
Make-ups (rubber mask grease paint or RMG as it is called)
Make-up sponges
Setting powder (baby powder works too)
Powder puff
Least necessary:
Flesh Latex
Make-up and Spirit gum remover
Ear Cuffs. For me personally, I feel that ear cuffs are a necessary item, but you may not. Ear cuffs are used to hide the seam on the back curve of your ear. These can be simple cuffs to crazy fancy cuffs with chains and piercings.
RMG make-up. Through the years, I have discovered that the best supplier of make-ups is Graftobian. When painting any latex prosthetic, you want to use [http://www.graftobian.com/$spindb.query.listcat2.grcatview.K2.10..Rubber~20Mask~20Grease~20Palettes~2cetc~2e rubber mask grease paint], also known as RMG. This is the best make-up to use, and it also doesn't destroy latex like cosmetic make-ups do. RMG's main ingredient is castor oil, which is what you want. Any make-up with mineral oil as the primary ingredient will slowly break down the latex. Avoid mineral oil! NOTE: However, if the ears are painted with a coat of castor oil based make-up, then painting over the RMG with mineral oil make-up isn't as bad for the latex. But the best is always castor oil make-up.
Make-up sponges. Just go to your local department store and purchase a package of 12 round make-up sponges. They last a long time and work perfectly.
Setting Powder. After you paint RMG make-up, you need to "set" it so that it is no longer tacky. Setting it helps prevent it from rubbing off when you touch the ears as well. To do this, you need setting powder (or just use baby powder) and a powder puff.
For this instructable, you shouldn't need any flesh latex since all of the seams will be hidden via quicker, simpler methods, i.e. hair and ear cuffs. Also, if you use Graftobian brand spirit gum, you shouldn't need any remover either, since Graftobian spirit gum cleans off easily using just soap and water.
Necessary:
Elf ears
Spirit gum
Optional:
Ear Cuffs
Make-ups (rubber mask grease paint or RMG as it is called)
Make-up sponges
Setting powder (baby powder works too)
Powder puff
Least necessary:
Flesh Latex
Make-up and Spirit gum remover
Ear Cuffs. For me personally, I feel that ear cuffs are a necessary item, but you may not. Ear cuffs are used to hide the seam on the back curve of your ear. These can be simple cuffs to crazy fancy cuffs with chains and piercings.
RMG make-up. Through the years, I have discovered that the best supplier of make-ups is Graftobian. When painting any latex prosthetic, you want to use [http://www.graftobian.com/$spindb.query.listcat2.grcatview.K2.10..Rubber~20Mask~20Grease~20Palettes~2cetc~2e rubber mask grease paint], also known as RMG. This is the best make-up to use, and it also doesn't destroy latex like cosmetic make-ups do. RMG's main ingredient is castor oil, which is what you want. Any make-up with mineral oil as the primary ingredient will slowly break down the latex. Avoid mineral oil! NOTE: However, if the ears are painted with a coat of castor oil based make-up, then painting over the RMG with mineral oil make-up isn't as bad for the latex. But the best is always castor oil make-up.
Make-up sponges. Just go to your local department store and purchase a package of 12 round make-up sponges. They last a long time and work perfectly.
Setting Powder. After you paint RMG make-up, you need to "set" it so that it is no longer tacky. Setting it helps prevent it from rubbing off when you touch the ears as well. To do this, you need setting powder (or just use baby powder) and a powder puff.
For this instructable, you shouldn't need any flesh latex since all of the seams will be hidden via quicker, simpler methods, i.e. hair and ear cuffs. Also, if you use Graftobian brand spirit gum, you shouldn't need any remover either, since Graftobian spirit gum cleans off easily using just soap and water.
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perfect for my cosplays i perform! Also any idea where i can get some ear cuffs with a chain to another ear cuff?
(Sorry that was terrible)
But no seriously, those look so amazing! I bet they turn heads when you wear them to the store :P (If you don't wear them to the store, you should, just for the reaction!)
I definitely recommend Aradani's ears if you want a nice pair.
And thank you for you wonderful tutorial! _
*cough* don't see you making hit albums though lol