Do you want to look tough? You can learn how to create realistic bruises using a variety of methods and readily available products. Read this article to find out how to pretend you got hurt and convince your friends.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Using Traditional Make-Up Products
Step 1. Get eyeshadows of different dark shades
A dark eyeshadow applied to the skin can allow you to create a rather realistic bruise, as if the affected body part has been hit abruptly. Secretly borrow your mom's eyeshadow palette or ask her permission.
- If you want the bruise to look real, try a combination of dark blue, dark purple and even black to get the desired result.
- Makeup should be matte, not bright. If the bruise is shiny, it won't look real.
Step 2. Dip the bristles of a brush
Moisten the brush and coat it with a thin layer of eyeshadow.
Step 3. Gently apply makeup to your skin
In the beginning, it is important to proceed slowly and with a light hand. You can always add more product later. Work the makeup into your skin in a circular fashion, blending as you go.
- Smaller fake bruises usually look more realistic. The size of the bruise should be about the size of two coins.
- Brush over the edges of the bruise to smudge the makeup slightly and make it look realistic. Don't overdo it, or it will look fake.
Step 4. Add details
Based on the story you want to tell to explain how you got hurt, you should add some detail to the bruise to make it realistic. You can make cuts, scratches or further color it.
- After achieving the desired color with the dark eyeshadow, try applying red blush around the edges to make the skin appear inflamed and red. You will give the impression that it is a peeling caused by a rough surface.
- If you want it to look like an older bruise, apply a splash of yellow eyeshadow around the edges.
- The cuts are usually more difficult to make. If you want to give it a try, use a thin-tipped red marker.
Method 2 of 5: Using Body Paint Products
Step 1. Get a palette of sweat-resistant greasepaint or body paint products
If you want to create an even more realistic-looking bruise, these products are for you. When you buy a simple color palette, you'll have plenty of options to make bruises so lifelike they'll be believable to anyone.
Step 2. Use a makeup sponge
Most greasepaint and body makeup palettes come with make-up sponges, not brushes or other applicators. It is an ideal tool for applying these products and creating a realistic bruise.
If you don't have sponges, you can use a part of a large, soft, yellow sponge, such as those used for washing cars or for other purposes. Ask your parents if they have a clean one to lend you
Step 3. Prepare a surface on which to blot excess product
Take the palette and place it on newspaper, paper towels or other rags that you can dab the sponge on during application. It is important to proceed extremely lightly with these products so that the bruise does not look fake.
Step 4. Pick up some red greasepaint with the end of the sponge
Dab one corner of the sponge on a bright, matte red greasepaint. Recent bruises are redder, so this is the right color if you want to make it appear that you have recently injured yourself or that the bruise is quite severe.
These products are ready to use, although sometimes it is necessary to soften them with water. Always follow the instructions on the package
Step 5. Blot excess product
After picking up some product with the sponge, dab it once or twice on the paper towel or rag you have prepared. You don't have to overdo it, because in that case it will be difficult to remedy.
Some professionals use a plastic palette in order to get the right amount of product. If you have one, it will be useful for being able to pick and mix colors
Step 6. Tap the product gently on the skin
With the sponge, dab it very gently on the spot where you want to create the bruise, following a circular motion. To color the area properly and get a good result, you will only need to tap the product 2-4 times. Be careful not to overdo it.
The sponge helps you achieve an uneven and mottled result, just as if it were a real bruise below the skin surface
Step 7. Layer with a touch of blue
With another corner of the sponge, pick up a pinch of blue greasepaint and dab a tiny amount on the red layer. Pick up the product with the sponge, dab it on the paper and apply it on the skin as you did before, only in a slightly more delicate way.
While this step may be strange to you, remember that the skin capillaries sometimes appear blue in some bruises, and then eventually turn dark. A touch of blue will allow you to make it look real
Step 8. Add more colors to make it even more realistic
If you want the bruise to look older, you can apply a small amount of one color on the green or yellow around the outer edges, in the same way as other shades.
Proceed with an extremely light hand. Sometimes, a touch of red and blue is enough to achieve a realistic bruise. Don't go overboard with your makeup
Method 3 of 5: Using Colored Pencils
Step 1. Choose a variety of colors
If you use a single pencil, the bruise will appear older and on the road to recovery; instead, if you want it to look more serious, you can use an assortment of colors.
For the bruise, use gray, dark blue and purple pencils. You can also use graphite rods of these colors
Step 2. Draw a circle on a sheet of paper and start coloring it
Using the flat side of the lead, quickly rub it on the paper; press your hand well to create a small pile of colored powder that you can apply on the skin. Even though he thinks he has enough, he continues anyway until he gets a good pile.
- Repeat this process with each pencil, creating a separate pile with each. If you try to make a single circle, the colors will blend and take on a brown tone that will not look realistic.
- Instead of using a regular sheet of paper, rub the pencil on a piece of sandpaper, so you can get some powder without having to waste too much lead.
Step 3. Apply the powder to the skin
Pick up some powder with your fingertip and rub it in circular motions on the part you want to make it look bruised. Gently blend the edges to make the bruise more realistic.
If you use just a little, it will come off pretty easily. Keep scrubbing to make sure it sticks. Make sure you use enough
Step 4. Apply more layers until you get a realistic result
It is usually best to start applying the powder colors and then pass a graphite pencil over the bruise to make it as soft and realistic as possible.
- Start with red-toned powder colors, then start adding darker colors, such as purples and blues, to the bruise. When you're done, run a graphite pencil across the surface, blurring the edges.
- This step always depends on your skin tone and a variety of factors. Assess your particular situation and experiment until you get a realistic bruise.
Method 4 of 5: Using Markers
Step 1. Use simple colored markers
Choose some non-permanent marker whose color is similar to that of a real bruise. Dark red, blue and purple are all adequate. Use a brownish yellow (or mix yellow and brown) for the outer edges.
- Make sure you don't use metallic or glittery markers, otherwise, when you apply them to the skin, the result will obviously be fake.
- Highlighters also make it possible to get a yellow bruise. If you have one, use it instead of a yellow marker.
Step 2. Start from the center with the most red color
Draw a small red circle in the center of the spot where you want to make the bruise by applying a very small amount of marker to the skin. It's easy to make mistakes and end up with the most faux bruise of all time, so proceed with care.
Create dots of color and blend them into the skin later. It is not important that the bruise has an appropriate shape right away. You just have to color the skin
Step 3. Add layers of other colors
True bruises are not single-colored, instead they have a variety of inhomogeneous marks. Dab the darker colors on the red to soften it. When applying the other colors to the red layer, proceed by dabbing gently. Once you are done, pass the yellow on the edges, blending everything outwards.
Step 4. Blend the colors together
Let the colors smudge to get a shape and color similar to a real bruise. Wet a finger and immediately tap it on the area, blending the colors. This allows you to get a much more realistic result.
Method 5 of 5: Pretend You Hurt
Step 1. Pick a good spot
If you want the bruise to look realistic, you need to do it on an appropriate area. Some parts of the body are not prone to bruises, so you need to choose an area that has the right characteristics. Usually, the best places to create a fake bruise are:
- The forearm.
- Any point on the leg.
- The forehead.
- The chest or shoulder.
- Do not make a fake bruise near or around the eyes.
Step 2. Make the bruise as realistically as possible
You can certainly experiment and try, but if you want to create one that feels real, you need to be careful. Take your time to do this and try out various color combinations in order to get the best possible result for your complexion.
The bruise should not be too circular in shape. If it looks like a perfect circle, it will obviously be fake. True bruises are irregular and uneven in shape
Step 3. Cover the bruised area
If you want to make someone believe that you have been hurt, you have to put on a little play and not betray yourself. For an effective joke, cover the bruise with clothing or a hat until you are ready to reveal it.
Bruises created with graphite pencil are difficult to cover without risking to remove. These bruises are generally okay if you want to show them right away, without dragging the joke along. If you want a longer lasting result, try using make-up products or another technique
Step 4. Pretend you hurt yourself in the moment
Did you make a realistic bruise on the right side? Is a friend approaching who does not suspect anything? Wait for a good time to come, for example when both of you are exercising or playing games, then pretend you hurt yourself. Let your friend come over, suddenly grab the part of the body with the fake bruise and start screaming.
- Act to the end. Pretend to be in pain and try to look angry. This is a good way to empathize or worry the joke victim.
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If you don't want to bother preparing this play, you could always show the bruise and make one of the following statements:
- "Look, a pit bull attacked me last night and left me this ugly bruise."
- "You should have seen how my opponent was!"
- "I got hurt while working on an oil rig."
- "I fell off my father's motorcycle."
Step 5. Show the fake bruise
After you've played the drama or told what happened to you, it's time to make the big reveal. He rolls up his sleeve and lets out a shrill moan, then says, "Ahh, look at this bruise! It hurts me!" You might even be tough and say, "It doesn't hurt at all."
- Quickly show it and then hide it so your friends don't have time to inspect it closely and realize it's not true.
- If they accuse you of using bright eyeshadow to make the bruise, admit that you felt embarrassed and tried to cover it with pearly makeup.
Step 6. Finally, confess the truth
Once your friends believe it, you can make the joke even more fun by having the bruise "magically" disappear with your fingers. Rub part of it off, then look at it confusedly and finally exclaim: "You believed it!".
- It is usually not the best to carry on such a joke for long, especially if you use the excuse of having a fight with someone or being beaten. It's okay to joke, but in the end you have to tell the truth.
- After playing the prank, remove the fake bruise with warm soapy water. Simple water is not enough. You could also use eye makeup remover.
Advice
- Rub the "bruise" lightly with your finger to give it a faded touch.
- To get more graphite out of the pencil when you rub it on your skin, scratch it on the sandpaper between strokes.
- Pretend you have a faded hickey by creating it with pink eyeshadow or blush.
- You can apply some berries to the skin and fade them.
- Use a purple, red, green or yellow pencil to make it look more realistic.
Warnings
- Avoid products containing lead, as it can cause a bad allergic skin reaction. Use only graphite-containing pencils.
- The colored pencil joke doesn't last very long, but it comes in handy for a quick glance.
- Don't create a fake bruise to make someone worry or accuse them of beating you.
