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What Will You Need?
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By this point, I assume you will have decided what kind of zombie you are
A couple of other considerations you will need to think about are the following:
When you have figured these things out, you can go shopping.
~ § ~~ § ~Shopping List~ § ~
1) Liquid Latex - This is essential if you want to make convincing wounds. If you happen to be allergic, a crappy alternative is:
2) Elmers Glue/PVA Glue - Not something I use, but an alternative to latex for flaky skin, or moulding wounds
3) Toilet tissue - this can help give the latex a stronger texture, and a more ripped look along the edges. It can also be used to build up around certain items (see Compound Fracture)
4) Spirit Gum - Although not essential, it helps if you are planning on sticking a large object to yourself and staying in costume for a long time, as it will stick firmer than latex.
5) Household Objects - just use your imagination...come up with a wound, then think what you need, e.g.
- candle - broken bone
- rubber tubing - arteries
- white/off-white plastic - bone is not quite a gleaming white, especially in the body. Cable casing for metatarsals, plastic lids for skull, etc...
- stringy vegetables - when soaked in blood, dried, and painted with latex, asparagus looks a lot like flesh.
6) Blood! - if you aren't buying blood (I would recommend you do if you can afford it), then you will need some or all of the following:
- Red Food Colouring - er, kinda essential, also blue makes a better colour when mixed
- Corn Syrup - cheap, makes it stick, great tasting
- red/blue Drink Crystals - makes it taste nice
- Cocoa powder - we're lingering on the taste issue here, but this also helps clot, and gives a richer colour than just food colouring
- Washing Liquid - not for the edible blood, but can be used for bulk amounts, and a small amount added allegedly helps wash the colouring out of clothes (don't rely on this, use old clothes)
7)Makeup: Don't nick your sister's/mum's/girlfriend's/wife's best chanel powder. Go to a costume shop and get some greasepaints and/or cream makeup and/or powders.
8)Baby Powder...if you're using greasepaint, this will help 'set' it.
9)Sponges, brushes, old comb, anything that will make interesting textures to apply all this with. And is disposable.
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~ § ~Considerations~ § ~
A few basic rules for handling liquid latex:
- Are You Allergic? If yes, go get the PVA glue
- SHAVE!!! - make sure you shave a larger area than the wound you plan on making...it really does rip the hair out
- Macho Zombie: - "but I am a man, I don't shave my arms"
Me: - "Whichever way you do it, the hair's coming out, this way is considerably less painful" - Moisturis(z)e - I would suggest doing this a couple of times before you apply the latex. I have found it really helps in the removal process without making it weak, and it will probably help your skin anyway
- Macho Zombie: - "but I am a man, I don't moisturise"
Me: - "Fine, have it your way. But you won't look very macho when you're crying like a baby 'cos it hurts." - Thinner is better. - Latex does dry clear, but can take a yellowish colour if spread too thick, and takes ages to dry. You will then have to go overboard on the makeup to cover it
- Don't use your finest sable art brushes. Buy some kids' powder paint brushes or something. You'll knacker them out pretty quickly.
- Removal: Baby oil is your friend - rub it liberally in a few minutes before washing with soap and water. It should all come off...(though often doesn't)
- Macho Zombie: "but I am..."
Me: *rrriiip*
Macho Zombie: "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaargh. Pass the baby oil"
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