Walking around like a living dead can be a lot of fun on Halloween, at Carnival, during a particular event, in the office or just to scare someone. Here are some tips for creating a great zombie costume!
Steps
Step 1. Apply your makeup
Create a cadaverous pallor by using a concealer or foundation that tends to be white / gray, purple or green. Go to the perfumery or the supermarket to find the most suitable product for the purpose. Also buy dark eyeshadow, eyeliner and baby powder.
- Apply the make-up base all over your face and even your neck to create an unhealthy paleness.
- Place yourself under a direct light source and start applying eyeshadow to accentuate the sunken areas of the face, such as dark circles. Focus on the shadows and darken them.
- Make the eyes completely black, but don't overdo it. You must give the impression that the orbits have shrunk by an inch. Apply the darker eyeshadow in the middle and corners of the eyes, trying to accentuate the natural shadows. You can try using different shades of gray for a more realistic effect than black.
- Use talcum powder on your face to give your skin a dull, corpse-like look.
- Put some deep red lipstick on your lips where you want to add the fake blood later. Then use a purple, gray or brown lipstick to create the effect of coagulated blood and give it an extra touch of realism.
- If you want, and if you can afford it, buy some macabre colored contact lenses. Many believe that they are not necessary, you would already have a horrifying appearance even without them, but it is up to you to decide whether to use them or not.
Step 2. Tousle your hair
It must look like you just got out of the grave.
- Tease your hair at the roots. Spray some hairspray, then use a small comb to set them in the opposite direction (towards the roots). Proceed by strands.
- Rub some talcum powder into your hair to make it grayish, ash-like.
- If you have long hair, you can leave it loose or create a messy hairstyle, such as a very crooked ponytail, scruffy braids or a loose, tousled bun.
- Start with a disheveled hairstyle. If you're planning on dressing up as a zombie early in the morning, wash your hair the night before before going to bed. By sleeping with wet hair you will automatically get a wild and tousled look; maybe the hair will be flattened to one side like you've been in a coffin for a long time.
Step 3. Make the fake blood
For a cup of blood (probably more than you will use), follow these steps:
- Take 1 1/2 cups of corn syrup;
- Take a couple of tablespoons of red food coloring;
- You will also need some chocolate syrup, like what you pour over ice cream;
- Get a couple of drops of blue or green food coloring, whichever you prefer. It serves to make the blood more realistic.
- Mix all the ingredients together, adding a small amount of water until you get the desired consistency.
- Alternatively, you can use honey instead of corn syrup to thicken the mixture, or use red and blue dish soap and food coloring. The detergent will later prove useful to better rinse your clothes. Experiment a little, trying different proportions of honey and detergent until you get the right consistency. The result also depends on the brand of soap. Warning: if you have to put blood in your mouth, use a small amount of detergent because it doesn't taste good!
- To get a pasty and thick consistency, you can use petroleum jelly. You need to mix it with food coloring, or with a red and brown eyeshadow.
Step 4. Apply fake blood
This is the funniest part, unless you find it disgusting. Get creative!
- You must give the impression that you have injuries. Run the blood from your hairline to your face, arms, legs, and hands.
- If you want to make bullet holes, take a black marker and draw holes on the shirt, then spread some blood in that area.
- To give the impression that he has just devoured his neighbor, he pours a lot of blood on his hand and then "bites it"; it will look like you've taken a big bite out of someone. Then, pour some more into your mouth (this mixture is non-toxic unlike others) and let it run over your chin and neck.
- If you have time, let the blood dry for about 10 minutes, then apply a new coat for a great result.
- It creates very dark blood, because lighter shades give a cartoonish effect.
Step 5. Prepare the costume
Here are some tips for creating ruined clothes like a real zombie.
- Go outside and scrub them in a dirty spot. If possible, do this in a flower bed or on some soil.
- When applying fake blood, make sure it is everywhere, even on the clothes as it will make the disguise very convincing.
- Use a knife or any other sharp object to punch holes in your clothes. Be careful not to get hurt!
Step 6. Move like a zombie
Zombies are known to be slow, rigid, stupid, do not speak well and, above all, crave human flesh.
- Make grunts and guttural sounds when you breathe through your mouth. It will have a surprising effect. You should have your mouth open with your jaw dangling most of the time. You also have to make other strange sounds, say nonsense and complain both softly and loudly. The moans always work!
- Shuffle your feet when you walk. Lean forward, as if you are about to fall with each step. You may even be limping or dragging a leg. Let your arms dangle limp, as if you never use them.
- When you walk past people, growl or groan at them by waving your arms. Some more experienced zombies also tend to grumble "BRAINS!". If you want to get some laughs, say "Hi!" suddenly waving goodbye. It will be hilarious. If you'd rather really scare someone, go to the cinema when they show a zombie movie. Enter the room and, during the show, when the tension is at its maximum, walk in front of the screen. You will terrorize half of the people present.
- Behave stupid. The average zombie has an IQ just above zero. So you can run against the wall, stumble, fall and misuse your hands.
Advice
- Experiment with different techniques before choosing the one you like best. You can find a lot of great tips on the internet!
- If you want to organize a special event for zombies only, ask the local authorities for permission.
- Never abandon another zombie! It's not fun to walk around alone.
- Try a thematic approach: a mechanical zombie, a dancing zombie, and so on. By targeting a specific style you will be able to stand out from the drooling crowd.
- Put on the full costume before applying the blood so you won't ruin your makeup.
- Roll in the dirt or get dirty in some way to make it look like you haven't washed in ages.
- Ask someone to keep your cell phone and wallet. A zombie sending a message would not be convincing.
- First of all, have fun! It's not worth it if you're not going to go wild!
- If you're planning on dressing up at work, ask your boss for permission. Unless it's an office with strict rules, it shouldn't be a big deal.
- Put your makeup on in the bathtub or shower. It can be uncomfortable, but you will avoid getting the whole bathroom dirty and it will be easier to clean.
Warnings
- If possible, avoid children. They can't tell if it's a disguise and the parents might get angry.
- If the police stop you, or your boss tells you to go home early, or you have to confront someone who has a problem, be friendly and understanding, let them get the better of the fight. After all, it is you who have broken social conventions.
- Don't do anything illegal. Disguising is no excuse to break windows, steal from shops, or overturn cars. Beware of the consequences!
- Be careful if you decide to pour fake blood into your ear - don't let it slip into the inner ear canal as it could cause an infection. It is best to smear it around the ear with a cotton swab for a smudged effect.
- Don't touch anyone! People generally don't react well and may ask for help.
- Fake blood can be very viscous, so be careful if you get into a car or a place you don't want to dirty.
