If you haven’t guessed already, I’m NOT one of those moms that minds a scary Halloween costume. Truth be told, I’m not a huge fan of Halloween in general and I really don’t like ‘commercial’ costumes at all. I’d rather have a homemade zombie over a Disney princess any day.
I don’t encourage gory, but I absolutely encourage creative costumes made with things around the house and some imagination. It’s Halloween I think spooky is OK.
Zombie make up is really pretty simple!
You’ll need:
Liquid latex
1 ply tissue or toilet paper
Skin coloured foundation
Various shades of grey, brown and pink eyeshadow
Fake blood
If you wake your child up early enough, she’ll even feel a wee bit like a zombie. Excuse the photos … I just used my phone!
Step 1 – using your fingers or large makeup brush smear liquid latex in the areas that you’d like to have look like rotting / zombie flesh. Apply a layer of one ply tissue or toilet paper over top. Gently paint/smear another thin layer of liquid latex over the tissue paper. Allow the tissue and latex to dry for a few minutes.
Don’t be worried if the tissue bunches up a bit or tears. It’ll all work out!
Step 2 – Cover the tissue / latex with skin coloured foundation. Blend it in well to the hairline.
Step 3 – Using a large make-up brush apply grey make-up (I used eye shadow) around the eyes. A little pink around the eyes looks good too. They I used more grey, black and brown eye shadow and applied it to the face especially over the zombie skin. Blend it in really well using a large brush and a very light touch.
Step 4 – next comes the fake blood. Brush it lightly over the zombie skin and then add more to areas you’d like to enhance, like the mouth.
That’s pretty much it. VERY simple! Finishing touched might include zombie contact lenses, teeth paint (green and black), crazy backcombed hair, and ripped up clothing.
Happy Halloween & watch out of Zombies!
MK xo
24 comments… add one
Oh my gosh! That’s awesome!! AND icky!! You definitely make the best costumes Kim!!!!
You’re good at this, are you a make-up artist? Indeed, this is the time to be creative and practical. We don’t have to spend a fortune on costumes.
Your zombie make-up was amazing!! I have 5 kids and we made costumes for characters from Alice in Wonderland for all the kids…very cute. But…my 8 yr. old son saw this and INSISTED on being a zombie!! Since I am not so creative, he begged his dad to make him a zombie costume. They ripped jeans and got the outfit together, and he looked o.k. THEN they did the make-up like you showed….he looked so good and was so proud of himself for coming up with his own cosume. Your make-up idea really made the costume!!
@Jo — Thanks! You did a pretty good job doing Sam on Halloween night :)
@Claire –> Thanks Claire! I am not a makeup artist, but doing the makeup is my favourite part of Halloween. Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment.
@Tanya –> Thank you Tanya! I’m so glad it worked out. It’s really so simple. My girl won first prize for her grade and 2nd prize in the school for creepiest costume. :) I’m so happy your boy enjoyed it.
Awesome.. If your make up and perfect costumes will bring together then the outcomes is really scary one just like LAST one is perfect.
Like this idea and gonna try it surely….
Can definitely try that one next Halloween! Can’t Wait to be Zombiefied! Looks awesome, Shame I only just found it I would have used it this year.
Great job. The pics are perfect. I’m bookmarking this for next Halloween. Our girls will love this.
That’s totally awesome. Halloween’s still a long way but I would definitely use this idea this year.
Very nice blog. I love your ideas – simple and back to basics . Great ideas
I have a question for all that has tried the liquid latex… has anyone had any reaction to it? I have no clue if my boys are allergic to latex… but was wondering about it. Is there an alternative that I could use, or latex-free type skin glue? or hypo-allergenic? Thanks in advance. My boys insisted on being Zombie Pirates… lol
@Christina, It didn’t both my kids in the allergy sense, BUT it was starting to bother them by the end of the day. They were ready to have if gone!
I have a sensitivity to latex and I applied this. It didn’t bother me at all. I washed immediately.
I would suggest doing a small patch on the inside of the wrist and testing before rubbing it all over their faces. Keep Benadryl handy and keep an eye out for reaction.
HTH
Elmer’s school glue works great!!!!
i want to know more about fantasy make.up..
i want to upgrade my idea about everything bout make-up
please help me
Exactly what I’m looking for! My little 4 yr old daughter wants to be zombie Barbie! Talk about hilarious! I’ve never been into Halloween much but I want to do a great makeup job for her. You just taught me how :) THANK YOU!
I just tried this on my son as a practice for Halloween a few days away. The latex looked great for about an hour then it started to peel off. Any tips for getting the latex to stick all day?
This is brilliant :) I am looking to do something like this, but not sure where to buy liquid latex.. any suggestions where I could get some or what else I could use instead of it?
I’m wondering the same thing! No liquid latex, trying to figure something to substitute it that would work just as good!
You and I are the same, my daughter is 3.. I’ve made all of her costumes from a diva out lady bug, to a leopard, cat and she’s going to be a zombie this year! So I’m really excited I came across this! Thank you!!
Appreciated! it becomes so easy, zombies are awesome happy Halloween
Awesome job!
One comment on the use of fake blood… make sure your fake blood is not detergent based or it can irritate the skin. Our (Gravity & Momentum) blood is both safe on the skin and washable. Great for Halloween.
Gaahhhh you have such a cute face and big eyes!
Hello! Love the zombie costume, my son is being one I love this idea! I don’t have liquid latex, can you suggest something in its place that would work just as good?
Thanks