Practical 1: Theatrical ageing - wrinkling skin

Products used:

• Liquid latex
• Old age stipple
• Acetone
• Barrier cream
• Fixer spray (optional)

Equipment:

• Orange fine stipple sponge
• Stipple sponge
• Powder brush

Health and safety:

• Wash hands
• Clean and tidy work space
• Allergy test
• Always put lids back on products after use!

Technique:

• Wash hands.
• Conduct an allergy test! Apply a small amount of liquid latex and/or old age stipple on to the client's wrist. Check for any redness, itchiness, burning sensations, etc. 
• Apply barrier cream to skin, rub in with fingertips
• Ask client to close eyes
• Stretch skin out with one hand, stipple latex on in dabbing motions to cover desired area with other hand
• Do not let go of pulling skin tight
• Use a hairdryer to dry the latex faster - check it is at a cool temperature by directing at yourself first
• Once dry, push skin together to encourage latex to wrinkle up
• Add more layers once dry - you can powder in between layers
• Make sure to powder at the end to avoid shine
• Clean up edges with cotton bud dipped in acetone (melts away latex)
• Colour can be painted on top, or the latex can be coloured at the beginning with powder colours
• Latex can be washed off with warm water

Other things to try:

• Consider character: would they have angry lines on the face? Or laughter lines? etc.
• Painting in fine lines/wrinkles: D14/15 from concealer palette (shade darker than skin); use a fine brush and carefully paint in the facial lines

I really enjoyed this first taster of theatrical/special effects make-up. I found it so enjoyable and fascinating that latex could alter the skin so effectively. It is definitely something that I will have to practice and experiment with however, as sometimes I thought it did not look very realistic, or could have blended with he skin better. I would also like to try adding colours.