How to replicate a spook-tacular special effects zombie makeup

Are you looking for a bit of costume inspiration this Halloween? Look no further, because this hair-raising makeup tutorial will have you channeling your inner living dead before you can say braaaains! If this is your first time attempting a special effects makeup look, you might find yourself quivering with fear at the thought of showing off the finished result. That's a healthy reaction, especially if you surround yourself with a tough-to-impress crowd. Luckily, the tutorial shows a few tips that will make the task a lot less daunting.

Be sure to devote enough time to work on nailing the look; you definitely don’t want to rush your masterpiece. Pace yourself with each step, and remember you can pause or watch the video as many times as necessary. Follow these quick tips, and before you know it you’ll turn the zombie makeup look into your own customizable work-of-art.

Materials
- Silicone SFX compound (3rd Degree) or gelatin
- Spatula (or back end of a brush)
- Translucent setting powder
- Brown cream zombie makeup (or a dark clay facial mask)
- Kabuki brush
- Alcohol-activated paint palette
- Small disposable brushes
- Matte dark eyeshadow
- Sponges
- Tooth rot (or alcohol palette)
- Fake blood
- Liquid latex
- Large disposable brush

Instructions
1. As with any makeup application, it’s important to begin with a clean canvas. Make a trip to the nearest sink and wash your face.

2. Spread the SFX compound mixture or gelatin over your face with the spatula or the back end of a brush. Avoid getting the mixture into your eyes, mouth or nostrils.

3. Dab translucent setting powder onto the SFX compound mixture with a sponge, creating a scabrous flesh effect.

4. Stipple the brown cream zombie makeup or dark clay mask onto your face with the kabuki brush. Remember to bring the makeup or mask down to your neck. By now, your face and neck should begin to resemble the decayed skin of a corpse.

5. Reach for the alcohol-activated paint palette, and dip the small brush into the brown shade. Create wound-like textures on your cheeks, nose, forehead and chin.

6. Dip another clean small brush onto the yellow shade in the alcohol-activated paint palette. Layer strategic strokes of the paint onto the wounds – mimicking a jaundice-like appearance. Don’t be shy about using the pads of your fingers.

7. Smear dark-colored eyeshadow around the perimeters of your eyes with a clean sponge or your fingers. The look you’re going for is more raccoon than cat-eye.

8. Pat some more translucent powder around your face to achieve an ashen effect.

9. Go in once more with the yellow paint, this time adding the hue sporadically around your lips, nose, ears and upper neck area.

10. Dab a small amount of the brown cream zombie makeup onto your lips, and layer a sprinkle of translucent setting powder on top. The latter step will give your lips a pallid appearance.

11. Use the kabuki brush and brown cream zombie makeup to contour your face, and blend. Continue by adding more brown eyeshadow around your eyes for a more menacing look. Create bruises around your neck and chest with the kabuki brush.

12. To add additional depth to the wounds you’ve created, fill them in with the fake blood using another clean, small brush.

13. Dab small amounts of the tooth rot mixture or alcohol-activated paint onto your teeth. Add drops of fake blood on top of the rot.

14. Layer the liquid latex all over your face with the large dispoable brush to seal in your handiwork.