Special Effects Makeup: Theatrical Ageing

In Sue's practical, we were shown how to achieve an older looking character through different makeup techniques. This is the start to developing our Miss Havisham character. 

The products needed for theatrical ageing: 

> SUPRACOLOUR 

This is a grease based palette, this means that the colours are easier to blend.

> BRUSH KIT 

Different brushes are needed to create different effects, e.g. a fine eyeliner brush is great for drawing on very fine wrinkles and blemishes. 

> BENKYE LATEX 

Latex can be used to crepe the skin, however, it is important to do an allergy test before applying latex as some people are allergic to the material.

> FOUNDATIONS & CONCEALERS 

You want to conceal anything you don't want to show, it is best to conceal everything and and create your own features as this will improve continuity. 

> POWDER 

Older people generally have dryer skin, so you must remember to powder generously and set the make up. 

You can see that above I have aged one side of the face. 

Here are the steps which I followed: 

1. Gown the model, you will be using a lot of pigmented products and powder and you do not want any spillages.

2. Moisturise skin well. This will serve a barrier between the makeup and the skin and will also help the makeup glide on better. 

3. Apply base, cover anything that you don't want to show. You can leave dark under eye circles but conceal any spots as this will help with the continuity of the makeup. 

4. Tell the model to pull a face and, using a small eyeliner brush and sepia brown pigment, trace the natural wrinkles that are created.( Around the eyes, forehead, around the lips and cheeks. You can also add old age spots.

5. Blend, shade and shadow. Retrace fine lines if needed. 

6. Using a contour shade, shade the areas which will become gaunt with age, e.g cheekbones & sides of the nose & temples. 

7. Grey out and fade the eyebrows with grey spray on hair colour. Brush in the colour with a bristle eyebrow comb. You can also add streaks of grey into the hair, but make sure it starts at the very root. 

8. Highlight the face were the facial bones will be more protruding and between wrinkles. This will add dimension and more realism to the makeup. 

9. Get the model to purse the lips and using a foundation, go over the lips. This will create a dry, cracked effect. 

10. When you are happy, powder well. make sure that any skin showing is aged. 

If you want to crepe the skin to add more texture, you need: 

Liquid latex

Stipple Sponge 

Hairdryer

1. Stretch the skin in which you want to apply. 

2. Use a hairdyer to dry the latex whilst still stretching the skin. 

3. You can build up layers but make sure each layer is dry before you apply another.