Are you already thinking about what you will be this Halloween? Do you want to go as a princess, superhero, or zombie? Halloween is right around the corner, and you know what that means: it’s time to start thinking about what costume you’re going to wear. (Or, at the very least, who you’re going to dress up as.) This year’s costumes are crazier than ever, and Halloween makeup has become almost as popular as costumes themselves. Makeup has the power to completely transform you into a creepy clown, vampire, or cute Disney princess—or transform yourself into an entirely different person altogether.
This year, if you want to stand out from the crowd and add some mystery to your get-up, you can combine different costume elements to create something completely unique. How about incorporating scar wax into this year’s Halloween character?
What is Scar Wax?
Scar wax is a cosmetic product that can create the appearance of scars, wounds, and bruises without causing any kind of damage to the skin. It’s one of several cosmetic “fakes” for scars and wounds, and it’s made from a cosmetic wax base. Scar wax is usually a cream that is tinted to match your skin complexion, so it blends right in with your original skin. Some scar wax products are even tinted to simulate the skin color of a bruise or scar, so it looks like someone recently had a wound or bruise.
Scar Wax, also referred to as plastiline, plastilina, plastiline latex, or bandage wax, is a non-water-based latex that can create special effects on stage and film. It can also be used for stage makeup or to create skin grafts or scars for medical purposes. Scar Wax has versatile applications but is most often used for creating special effects.
Scar wax is frequently used in film and television to create wounds and bullet holes. On the surface, it looks like wax, but it’s actually a durable, high-density plastic that mimics human skin. Scar wax is flexible, like human skin, and will stay pliable even after being left untouched for months. This is why it’s so popular in film and television since it allows filmmakers to make realistic-looking injuries. Makeup artists apply scar wax over an actor’s actual skin and then sand or shave away the excess material. The effect is even more convincing if an additional layer of wax is applied after the nose and mouth have been shaped.
When Did The Use Of Scar Wax Become Popular?
Scar wax has been in use for many years in theatre and film. Today, scar wax is incredibly popular amongst both professional and amateurs makeup artists, body painters, and special effects artists. Scar wax, also known as scar makeup, is any of a number of tools used to create scars (or wounds) on a person’s face, from fake bruises to stitches and sticking plaster to fake scars and burns. It was developed in the 1920s for use in the film industry but has become an essential piece of personal grooming in more recent years.
An essential part of any great Halloween costume, scar wax can create a wide range of scar effects. The wax is pliable yet firm, so it can be shaped into just about any scar or wound imaginable. Wax is also available in different colors, so you can easily create realistic wounds, bruises, and broken noses. Scar wax also referred to as scar makeup, is a type of makeup that can be added to or applied to an existing scar in order to make the scar less noticeable and conceal it. Scar wax is malleable like wax but firm like clay; when heated, it can be applied to scars or injuries. Once it cools, however, it sets like wax and is able to be shaped into different shapes.
How Do You Make A Scar Wax At Home?
If ever there was a product that seems tailor-made for haunted houses, it has to be scar wax. With its spooky, glowing appearance and ability to mimic the appearance of a burn or cut, scar wax can be put to a variety of uses, from scar makeup to special effects material to props. Today, many special effects makeup artists use scar wax for special effects.
Scar wax is specially formulated to mimic the look of scars, burns, surgical incisions, and more. This wax is typically made from a mix of beeswax, talcum powder, and pigments and may include additional ingredients like essential oils. Makeup artists typically use a brush to apply the wax to the makeup areas of the character they are working on. But can you make scar wax at home? Well, definitely!
What ingredients or materials do you need to make DIY scar wax? Well, you will need the following:
Flour (baking flour or flour will do)
Preferred foundation that matches skin tone
Bowl +teaspoon
Petroleum jelly
Now that you already have these materials, let’s proceed with making the scar wax. Check out the following steps:
Add petroleum jelly and flour to a small bowl. Mix one teaspoon of petroleum jelly and four teaspoons of flour onto a bowl.
Mix the flour and petroleum jelly together. Make sure to mix them evenly to avoid any lumps. If in case the petroleum jelly is too firm, you can place it somewhere warm. This will help soften the jelly, thus, helping you to be able to mix it well with the flour.
Mix in and add foundation to the bowl. Add sufficient foundation to the mixture until it matches your skin tone.
Check for the consistency of the mixture. Test it in between your fingers. The proper mixture should enable you to form a firm ball in your palm. If in case the mixture is a bit soft or too sticky, you can add a little bit of flour to reach that consistency. Also, if in case you are doing this DIY mixture in warm weather, you can place the bowl of mixture in the fridge for about 20 minutes. This will help harden it, thus, helping you to achieve that consistency.
Place it in a zip lock bag or container to store the mixture.
If in case you don’t have petroleum jelly, you always use vegetable oil instead. The process is still the same.
How To Use Scar Wax
So, do you want to make a makeup masterpiece for Halloween or SFX makeup? Well, make sure you use scar wax. Before you go into the process, make sure you buy the right scar wax. There are different types of scar wax. Some scar wax is for Halloween, some scar wax is for FX, and some scar wax is for an everyday look. Since we have already made a DIY scar wax for Halloween purposes, check out the following steps on how you can use it to complete your scary Halloween makeup and effects:
Apply it like you would any drugstore makeup, using a spatula utensil or your finger to apply it and blend it as you go. This will take some practice but is a fairly simple step once you get it right. Just be patient and trust the makeup process.
Coat it with Vaseline. Add a little bit of Vaseline to the scar wax for you to get it flat.
You can also use a hairdryer to straighten out the edges of the wax. This will help you spread the scar wax into the desired shape, size, and length.
Apply dark to a lighter shade when creating that fake blood look. The look of a red or purplish scar—especially on a face—is really spooky. You don’t have to go overboard with color; choosing a dark shade or applying dark brown for depth or dark red makeup will naturally give you a creepy bloody look.
Use banana powder to set the fake wound or scar in place. The banana powder can work wonders on set, whether you’re using it to create a fake wound, blood, or splotches. It’s a simple ingredient and relatively cheap, but it’s surprisingly versatile. It’s super-absorbent, so it’s great as a filler. It’s slightly sticky, so it’s great for glomming onto the skin. And it’s completely edible, so it’s great for lining wounds and sticking them in place.
Scar wax can be used to create a Halloween makeup masterpiece, and it’s surprisingly easy. Just use a number of pin needles and attach a few per square inch to a fake wound to give it an illusion of damaged skin.
The scar wax gives the appearance of a scar, and that scar can be on any part of the body. The scar wax is easy to apply. Just dab a little on your scar where you want it to appear. The scar wax lasts all day, so just dab a little more if you need to apply it again. The scar wax is safe to use and real, so makeup artists have been using it for years.
Scar Wax Halloween Ideas
Do you love getting creative with your makeup? If you do, then Halloween is the perfect time to unleash your inner artist. Try some of these fun makeup tips and ideas, from makeup beards and body paint to scar wax and DIY costume ideas. You won’t have to spend big bucks to look at the part this Halloween. Now that you have finally created your DIY scar wax, here are some fun ideas that you can do with it:
Breakouts – When it comes to special effects makeup, simulating a sore, red pimple, or acne lesions can be one of the most effective ways of adding realism to a scar wax. While fake breakouts may sound like too much trouble, a quick trip to the beauty supply store or creating your own scar wax and a steady hand can render a convincing result.
Wounds - Well, what do you know about fake wounds? It is one of the most favorite SFXs made by moviemakers, as it creates the wounding effect very well. It also gives more realism to the character.
Zombie skin - The zombie look is a horror staple, and you can make it believable with SFX makeup. Skin tears and wounds are super-common on zombies, but making them look realistic takes a bit of practice.
New nose - Fake nose is one of the Fun ideas using scar wax SFX. Scar wax scar makeup is so much fun! The same unnatural artist originally created the fake nose scar wax. The plaster (fake nose) has been used up hundreds (thousands) times by highly skilled scar wax artists. Scar wax (fake skin) scar makeup can be applied directly to the skin or molded around existing scars to create more realistic scars.
Today’s face looks more and more realistic with the growth of special effects in movies, television, and advertising. A scar, hole, or wrinkle can now be added to any face, giving actors a very realistic look. When it’s applied to your skin, the wax hardens into a rubbery substance. Then, peel it off, and you’ve got a beautiful scar or wound design. The wax can be peeled off in pieces, so you can customize it to create a realistic look.
Other Important Things to Consider…
Applying scar wax to SFX makeup, whether for film, television, or theatre, requires careful consideration. The scar wax should be free of bacteria to ensure the health of the person applying the makeup, and it should be waterproof for durability during any workday. The quality of scar wax will also affect the outcome of the makeup. It is important to select scar wax that dries clear so that it won’t add telltale lines to skin that might appear unnatural.
With more FX makeup being used for a wide array of applications, scars and wounds are becoming a common feature. Whether it’s for a film, a commercial, or a photoshoot, scar wax is an essential tool. But it’s important to choose wisely as this can affect how your scars look. If you are using scar wax for film or television purposes, make sure that you choose the one that is safe for the skin and is of high quality.
Image source: igestfromexperts.com
