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Sculptgel and Third Degree are both great silicone based materials which can be used directly on the skin to create three dimesional makeup effects for fun, Halloween, low budget movies or to create work for a portfolio. This instructable shows you a step by step makeup of how this great material can be used. No need for sculpting or moulding, no latex allergies and no mess!
Incidentally, if you like this kind of thing why not check out the free mini ecourse on my site-sign up quick and easy at LearnProstheticMakeup.com!
Incidentally, if you like this kind of thing why not check out the free mini ecourse on my site-sign up quick and easy at LearnProstheticMakeup.com!
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Signing UpStep 1The material
Two-part platinum silicone pastes may sound technical and off putting to some, but these materials are very simple to use. This article aims to show you a simple method for using Sculpt Gel.
There are similar materials such as Third Degree, which behave in the same fashion owing to the fact that it is also a two-part silicone based product. The main difference with this kind of material compared to wax is that you need to measure out equal amounts, mix them and apply them to the skin before it sets (or cures) with a working time of 4-5 minutes. You can cover larger areas by adding additional mixes, as it will bond well to itself. Unlike wax, it does not damage easily.
The only thing you need to remember is avoid contact with latex! Platinum silicones are usually very sensitive, and exposure to latex (in a dried or liquid form) can result in the silicone not curing properly. This is known as inhibition, and usually occurs on a surface someone has touched using latex gloves. As a result, if you do ever need to wear gloves make sure you use Vinyl and not latex!
There are similar materials such as Third Degree, which behave in the same fashion owing to the fact that it is also a two-part silicone based product. The main difference with this kind of material compared to wax is that you need to measure out equal amounts, mix them and apply them to the skin before it sets (or cures) with a working time of 4-5 minutes. You can cover larger areas by adding additional mixes, as it will bond well to itself. Unlike wax, it does not damage easily.
The only thing you need to remember is avoid contact with latex! Platinum silicones are usually very sensitive, and exposure to latex (in a dried or liquid form) can result in the silicone not curing properly. This is known as inhibition, and usually occurs on a surface someone has touched using latex gloves. As a result, if you do ever need to wear gloves make sure you use Vinyl and not latex!
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(To the maker of this 'ible, great job, I'd try this out if only I can find sculpt gel-retailer somewhere in Europe.)
Mouldlife actually make it themselves, and are based in the UK. They may sell to retailers (not sure - ask them I guess...they may know who they supply nearest to you).
Sculptgel: http://www.mouldlife.net/sculptgel-66-c.asp
-Stuart
Skin Illustrator is a brand of alcohol activated makeup colours. There are several brands such as Reel Color and Sta Color which all use 99% isopropyl alcohol as the solvent. They are very durable colours which appear realistic on the skin and do not smudge when dry unlike oil based makeup.
They can be thinned to washes and applied with sponge, brush or airbrush in layers to create realistic skin colours, especially on appliances or materials such as Sculptgel, where translucency needs to be maintained.
There is a little about this and other types of makeup in an article I wrote which may be of interest to you:
http://www.learnprostheticmakeup.com/A_basic_makeup_effects_kit.pdf
-Stuart
I used a syrup based blood from a professional makeup store. The typical shop bought bloods for halloween are not that good. The colour and consistency needs to be right and cheaper bloods are usually a deal thinner and often stain skin and fabrics much easier. (Non staining bloods that look great and which are not expensive are the Holy Grail qualities of fake bloods).
Also, real blood is opaque, not translucent, which is a giveaway on cheaper bloods. It depends on your budget and how good you want it to look.
I don't know where in the world you are, but in the UK, here are some good bloods:
Screenface
Mouldlife
In the States:
PPI
Cinema Secrets
Monster Club
Most fake bloods are syrup based (either corn or syrup) with food grade dyes allowing them to be safely used in the mouth although I always advise checking that to be sure...it should state it on the bottle.
Also, a little tip is if you find the blood beads up on an oily surface (such as wax, siliocne or oil based makeup) then apply a little dish washing/washing up liquid detergent to area first. It will reduce this effect (known as 'reticulation').
I also used a material made by 'Maekup' called 'Scab' which dries matt, dark and non flexible so it cracks and peels - just like real dried blood. You could also use a little acrylic ink or skin illustrator the right colour to appear as dark, dried blood. I think having larger areas of dried blood with some fresh stuff helps the overall realism.
Hope this helps
Stuart
Several other species do it but not humans :)
The two big things to worry about are toxicity and heat. If there are toxins in the makeup/mixture, well you shouldn't be applying it anyway and certainly not over the whole body. Only use safe agents.
Heat is where things can go wrong with a full body appliance. Stay hydrated, and monitor temperatures. If you can't sweat through your makeup or radiate heat away your temp will spike. The proteins in the brain can start to cook at temps as low as 45 celsius, so remember to keep cool. :)
and wat do i use 4 da blood fake blood or shall i get my own real blood
I have to say, once you've bought all that and spent time doing it, a $5 bottle of blood may just be easier-although that's not what Instructables is about I know.
I'm not sure if there is a 'cheap' sculptgel-This method IS the cheaper option to sculpting, moulding, casting and applying a prosthetic appliance, which is a couple of days work as opposed to fifteen minutes.
It is what it is and unlike mass produced items that everyone uses, there is not so much of a cheap option. I guess the alternative is stick with scar or morticians wax instead.
Professional makeup stores are the place to get fake blood-it will probably be cheaper than buying all the ingredients and making it.
by the way where to find material in canada
For example, is there any way to use something like silicone sealant, as used in Aquariums etc?
I would not use silicone sealant from a hardware stores. This is not suitable for skin contact at all. You would need to use gelatine or something instead, or maybe just morticians wax.
Mouldlife will ship to pretty much anywhere in the world. Hardware stores carry a lot of tools and kit that can substitute makeup store equivalents such as tool boxes for makeup boxes, sponges and large brushes etc, but there are few safe skin-use materials which have substitutes.
Kind regards
Stuart