SFX Makeup Ideas for Beginners

22nd Sep 2022

Looking to jump into the world of SFX makeup but not sure where to start? We’re going to break it down to the basics for you. From building a kit that contains the essentials to step-by-step directions on four SFX staples - scars, cuts, bruises, and burns - below we share the tools and techniques for creating amazing effects despite being new to the craft.

Your SFX Makeup Kit
Realistic SFX makeup looks require the right products. Regular beauty makeup just won’t cut it. You need to invest in the tools that will make it easy to bring your visions to life. The foundations of any good SFX kit generally include:

While not all these products are needed for every effect, they should be the foundation for any beginners’ SFX tool kit. You could purchase each separately and build your collection over time. But if you want to jump right in with all the tools at your fingertips, Mehron has two kits that contain all the above products plus more!

Special FX All-Pro Makeup Kit $124.95 ($225 value PLUS free shipping)

Mehron's Special FX Kit is equipped with all the makeup and tools needed to create beginner to the most advanced makeup applications: step-by-step pictorial instructions for special effects, 8-color palette with 4 Mask Cover shades and 4 CreamBlend™ shades, 4.5 oz. Latex Clear, 1 oz. Squirt Blood, Large Powder Puff, 2 oz. 3D Clear Gel, Stage Blood, .5 oz. Coagulated Blood, 1 oz. Barrier Spray™, Crepe Hair, 3 full size Stageline Makeup Brushes, Colorset Powder, 1 oz. Makeup Remover Lotion, 1 oz. Brush Cleaner, 1 oz. Spirit Gum Remover, Spirit Gum, Tooth FX™ Blood Red, Tooth FX™ Nicotine, Rigid Collodion, Fixative “A”™, 1 oz. Hair White, Modeling Putty/Wax, Extra Flesh, Bruise ProColoRing™, Stipple Sponge, Non Latex Sponges, Cotton Swabs, 2 Prosthetic Bullet Holes, and 1 Prosthetic Wound.

Special FX All-Pro Makeup Kit and Practice Head $149.95

Everything contained in the Special FX All-Pro Makeup Kit plus the practice head.

Start with These 4 Simple Effects

If you watch any TV show or movie, you know that the SFX can be intense - probably not something you can tackle as a newbie. But there are some effects that even beginners can create with ease.

Scars
Creating a scar is as simple as swiping on Mehron’s Rigid Collodion.

Apply a thin line of Rigid Collodion using the included brush applicator where you want to create the scar. As the liquid dries, the skin will pucker. For best results, apply to fleshy skin because if the skin is too tight, the scar will not be as prominent. Apply multiple layers of the Rigid Collodion, allowing each layer to completely dry in between until you have created the depth you desire. That’s all you need to do!
To create a fresher looking scar, outline where you want the scar to be with the Bloody Rose hue from the ProColorRing™ Bruise Wheel as the base before applying the Rigid Collodion. Then repeat the steps until you achieve the look you desire.

Watch the video below to see how quickly you can build a scar with just one makeup product.

Cuts

Realistic looking cuts are also something a beginner can easily tackle with the right products.

Using a stainless steel spatula, scoop out a bit of Mehron’s Synwax.
Apply a thin layer of Spirit Gum to the area that you want your cut and tap to activate.
Knead the Synwax between your fingers to warm it up until it is pliable.
Apply the Synwax to the skin, pressing it on top of the activated Spirit Gum.
Use the spatula to press and smooth out the edges until they meld into the skin, then use your spatula to create a gash in the wax to achieve a realistic looking cut.
To seal the Synwax so it is ready to paint, apply Fixative “A” over your application.
Using a brush, apply Mehron’s Mask Cover Makeup to help blend the color of the Synwax to match your skin tone.
For that fresh wound effect, add some Coagulated Blood Gel into the gash with a small makeup brush.

The tutorial below demonstrates how quickly you can create a cut.

Bruises
SFX novices can master the bruise makeup effect with Mehron’s cream-based ProColorRing Bruise wheel, which contains all the colors you need to build up a believable bruise:

● Bright Red for fresher looking bruises
● Dark Red and Blue for older bruises
● Green and Yellow for a healing bruise

To create the bruise, first lay a base color by using a foam sponge to pat on the Bright Red.
Then intensify the bruise by mixing together the Dark Red and Blue with the sponge and patting over the center of the Bright Red.
Buff out as needed with the clean side of the sponge.
Finish up by adding some Yellow to the outer ring of the bruise.

We show just how easy this makeup technique is in the video below.

Burns
The last SFX makeup effect is the burn.

We like to use our 3-D Gel in Flesh color to create a raised burn. This product comes in solid form, so it needs to be warmed before use. You can heat the container in hot water until the gel is liquified or place the bottle directly in the microwave at 5 second intervals until ready to use.
Pour some of the liquified 3-D Gel into a small container to cool. Be sure to test the gel’s temperature before applying to the skin.
Mix the gel with a stainless steel spatula to remove any air bubbles.
Use the spatula to apply the 3-D Gel to create the raised skin of a burn.
Apply multiple layers to achieve the depth you desire.
. Let dry – which should only take seconds.
Set the gel with Colorset Powder.
Mix a small amount of the Dark Red from the ProColorRing™ Bruise Wheel with a shade from the Mask Cover Makeup Palette that best matches your skin tone to create a muted red color.
Use a small makeup brush to apply the muted shade in a stippling motion around the outer edges of the burn. Then buff out with a clean brush.

The video below shows how to use these products to create a realistic looking burn.

Visit our YouTube channel for more SFX Makeup tutorials.

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