create a screamworthy werewolf

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This post may contain affiliate links, such as Amazon and Shop My, that I may earn from qualifying links. This means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, but never fear, because it means no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.

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In This Episode We Cover:

• Planning and preparation are essential to create a successful and striking werewolf makeup look.
• The importance of conducting a fitting or test makeup session prior to your makeup application.
• Involving other skilled artists in their areas of expertise can significantly enhance the quality and impact of your work.

Episode 70: Show notes

Not too long ago, I posted on my Instagram page some piccies of an oldie but a goodie werewolf makeup that I did. So many years ago that I applied him now, I think it was ten.

After the images of this makeup went up, (thanks in no small part to the photographic gift that is Brett Stanley) I got a fair few questions back from you about how I did certain things.

So I thought I’d dedicate an entire episode to exactly how I created my werewolf look and things that may help you when it’s time to create and apply your very own werewolf, too. 

Might I add a huge thanks and bucket loads of gratitude must also go out to RBFX and the sculpting of Nick Marra all those years ago. It’s still one of my favorite appliances. And while we’re at it, a little shout-out and hello to Roland and RBFX.


Might I add that Halloween is fast approaching in just a number of months at the time of this recording. So for my halloweenists and I know I have a lot of friends that I know are heavily passionate and into Halloween.
So I guess that means it’s time to start thinking, right? And I’m sure the stores will have the orange color story splashed about all over the walls soon. And pumpkins a-plenty before no time at all.

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Your Werewolf Design

The first thing is you should start to think about your design, isn’t it?

Ask yourself the question: Are you building this makeup yourself from scratch, or are you going to buy ready-made appliances off the shelf?

And with that comes the concept of reference images. 

Using references should apply to everything you do in makeup. You can find out why right here.


 I always like to look at real images from nature and real life.

I still have a folder of wolf and dog images on my computer – full of the references that I use for my little werewolf makeup back in 2014. 

That makeup put me on the map in LA when I first made the move. And it’s still a makeup that some people identify me with today, which is really cool and was totally unexpected at the time. 

And what goes hand in hand and is way more important than you might think is choosing your model.


Now, if you’re working on a movie project, and are part of a larger crew, these parts of the process may already be well and truly in place when your involvement begins, and therefore may not apply.

But if this is a project for yourself that you’re doing from start to finish, and it’s your baby to do with what you will, which is how I’m treating this post. 

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Your Werewolf Model Choice

Choosing your model is as important as the design itself, and I think it’s something that people can overlook.

It can also end up in the last-minute pile, as we’ve all had a model cancel on us the night before or, heaven forbid, the morning of (aargh – werewolf howl) and all that sort of drama.

 It’s important to recognize this from day one, because without the right model, your makeup design can fall flat or not be brought to life as well as it has the potential to be. 

And that’s the whole point isn’t it? You’re investing all your time and expertise and skills and money in this, to create a cool image. And ultimately, have fun doing it, but it really can all be let down by the wrong model choice. 

So please do remember that, because your model is everything.


Well, not literally everything, but it is a whole lot of things. 

You’ll want to take into consideration whether your model is comfortable in front of the camera, because not everybody is. 

And if you are hoping to use dentures or contact lenses, are they okay wearing those as well? Are their eyes okay? They don’t have any bridge work or any wire work in their teeth that, that might sort of get in the way of dentures or if you’re making anything with flexacryl, any allergies that they might have all those standard questions that you usually ask when you first get the wheels in motion about your makeup. 

At this point, I’d be remiss to include the point that if you are exploring teeth and lenses, please, please see and optician and get yourself educated about lenses. And look into getting professional lenses made – if it’s that crucial to your design and project.

There are some horrendous stories that all began with ignorance and lack of education when it comes to prep.

My advice to you, if you’re uncomfortable or if your model is uncomfortable about wearing lenses is simply – don’t. This is such an easy fix on a digital editing program like photoshop or procreate.
And not that I’m saying you can go all digital on us practical makeup advocates, but for small things that do end up saving time, and potentially a whole lot of pain, these are solid solutions.

Then there are the facial features and proportions of the model. Do they work for your design? Now, this is where you may appreciate how truly important your model choice is. And as I said, how commonly it can be overlooked.

And why I mention this now is because if you are going down the route of using appliances that already exist, you really need to analyze the face that you’ll be working on to create your werewolf makeup on.
For instance, do you want someone with really big eyes? Or perhaps you want a more sinister looking character that may have smaller eyes and smaller features? Because if your design has prominent eye brows and a hevay brow line, if the model has tiny eyes, they may get lost inside the brow ridge.

It’s entirely up to you and the physiognomy of your available model.

Why? Because their own face is going to have a big influence on the proportions of the facial features of your makeup.



Now, if you’re using an appliance that you already have, do check the sizing of it. Is it a small piece? Because I have noticed that some of the appliances that I’ve used that are generic and off the shelf and certainly not custom made are on the small side. And if that’s the case, then you should look at people with small faces, small frames.


If you don’t know, if you can’t tell about the size from looking at your appliance, try it on first.

Perhaps you’re not using appliances at all, and you’re going to do a face paint or character makeup, which is a really cool idea, by the way.

I think we should bring this back. Let’s get back to some Rick Baker inspired makeups that rely solely on the principals of light and shadow, and rely on face paints and the human form.  That’s what I’m going to do next, I’ve just decided – right here and now – fun characater makeup using straight out of the kit makeup and facial hair. That’s it.


If you don’t have access to your model, you can try your appliance on your own face as a guide. Because you should have an idea about what size face you have, and then that’ll help dictate where you go from there and the decisions that you make.

What is the thickness of the appliance? If you’re using an off-the-shelf one, it may be quite thick and bulky in areas such as the chin or jawbone. And if you’re going to apply this to someone with a full face or a prominent chin, then the overall shape and silhouette and even profile of the makeup and your finished look will change altogether, won’t it?

This is all really important stuff.

So do consider your model very carefully and really know their face first. Take photos and really study them. If you’re designing and sculpting your own makeup, then you can work to customize that makeup design to work in harmony with their own facial features. And once you have all those things locked in, you know what your makeup is going to look like. You’ve got your model worked out, they’re all prepared and ready.
They know what they’re in for. And whether you’ve made your own appliances or you’ve got generic ones that have flown off the shelf and happily made their way into your home, you’ll want to do a fitting or some version of a test makeup.

Fittings and Tests

I love doing these fittings. They’re so informative, no matter the scope of your project.

Even if it’s just as simple as meeting up with your model, so they can see what’s in store and the two of you can have a chat. Everyone is informed and organized and everything’s been discussed. It  gives you a chance to talk face to face with your model, because once you get going on the day, it’s such a different focus that you have.
So to be one-on-one with them beforehand, I think it’s really important as well. You know, even something as simple as just speaking eye to eye and face to face instead of them in the chair, you know, so many things that, that really help the flow of the whole process.

Try to think about all the preparation that you need to do before the day. 

For me, I always try to do the fitting, at least at the very latest, a few days before your application day. Not only is this invaluable for you to give you a bit of a dry run, it will help to put your model at ease and give them a taste of what you’ll be doing on the day. 

It’s always a good last minute check that someone can bring things up that you might have forgotten about or that might have just slipped your mind entirely until now. 

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Organize Your Makeup Kit

It’s also vital that your kit is well organized before your big day too. If you’ve had to source anything specific or get any particular makeup products or accessories that complement your overall look, you have that time.  

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Bring in A Photographer

Another aspect that I highly recommend you consider before the day is a photographer.

A long time ago, I just used to take my own photos. You know, I was stubborn. I was like, oh, “I can do everything,” and just keep it simple. 

But what I’ve learned over the years is that if there is someone who can do something better than you can, get them to do what they do best instead. 

And aside from a photographer actually knowing their craft, having an eye, and being someone that’s not as close to the work as you are, they see things that you don’t.

They’re highly skilled and obviously technically proficient in their work because that’s what they do, right?

So they’ll bring things to your creation that you would never dream of.


This is true. I’ve seen this happen. Time and time again.
They have ideas way beyond your own. They have a different perspective and a fresh perspective.

From a practical point of view, once you finish your makeup, you’re usually a bit tired, I imagine.

I always feel depleted after brushes are down, and I feel now that my photos in the past used to suffer because of it. Or I’d literally get one or two decent photos out of 200.


So by bringing in someone else who is not only way more gifted at that role than you or I will ever be, they’re also fresh and have a zesty energy that you’ll probably be lacking in come time to take the photos. 

And you can also sit back a bit and enjoy that process, take it all in, and watch the photography. It’s quite a rewarding process to sit back and take in and just do your finessing you need to do for specific photos.


Your photographer can also shoot some behind the scenes stuff and some iPhone video while you’re doing the makeup, too.


This is always going to be a plus for your IG posts and reels. And if you didn’t hear last week’s episode all about what Instagram can do for you, do go and check it out, because I think it’s a good time for Instagram growth.

I think we should all be going for broke if that sort of stuff is important to you. But go check out last week’s episode all about Instagram.

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Hair Work

 Okay, we’ve talked about all the logistical aspects of your makeup, “But Kerrin, what about the hair?” 

And all I will say is that do as much of this work before the day as you can. 

Of all the hair work that you want to incorporate in your design, if you can do 90% of it in your prep work and just keep, the areas that are near bending edges that you’ll obviously have to do during the makeup application.

Try and keep it minimal for the application because it can add a lot of time and stretch that day out. And if you’re anything like me, I like to keep it short. 

These days, I just don’t have the patience for massively long application times anymore. Get it done!

If punching and hand laying is not in your repertoire, then that’s totally fine.

Source some lace pieces or bring in someone to help you with the makeup – if that is their thing and that they love doing it.  Make it a team project and have some fun with it. 

This doesn’t mean that you have to take out a first home buyer’s loan just to buy custom-made lace pieces. 

A lot of working makeup artists now have a healthy stock of their own lace hair pieces, which they could be more than happy to rent out to you at very reasonable rates these days.
So just get looking on social media and just start asking. Because. Because you might find some really good deals for just renting lace pieces or maybe even buying some if they’re pieces that that particular person is happy to part with.


You might even find some creature-y kind of wolfy ones already. And then, of course, you’ve got your styling and, and things like that that you can do just to create cool shapes and textures with the hair. It’s all entirely up to you.

And that’s what makes makeup so fun, right? At least personal projects.

If you are going to spend the time and get into hair punching, I do recommend you allow plenty of time for it. It is slow going, so don’t set your shoot date in a week from now. Take it slow. But do set yourself a date from the get go, because otherwise it can drag on for years and you’ll never get around to doing the application.

Maybe set a date maybe six weeks from when you start. That’s a good timeframe, maybe even a couple of months if you’re working and just have weekends. But stick to it because that feeling of accomplishment is totally rewarding.

And then once you know what hair is involved, get your punching needles and hair and fur, if you’re going to take that route. And if so, you’re going to want to allow even more time because fur is finer than hair and it will take longer, I promise. Now, if you haven’t heard me carry on about this before, use references.

They will help you so much with growth patterns, with super cool color combinations, distribution, and density. All the things that can make or break your hair work. 

Now, if you’re uncomfortable doing it, just keep it simple. Perhaps you can adapt your look to take advantage of the things you don’

t like doing. And by that I mean, you could do a mangy werewolf that’s hardly got any hair, and you could add some sort of open skin and welty wounds where his hair has all fallen out, or some kind of messed up, grimy pirate werewolf character that has a torn flannel shirt and a bandana or a patch over one eye or a big scar or something. Make it work for you. And you might even come across a few really fun character details through costume, wigs, and accessories.

I mean, way better than what I just came up with, too. 

But you can minimize the hair work and make it work in your favor. If that’s not your thing, just be smart and just start brainstorming. 

Because that way you might even come up with some even better ideas. And that’s also going to personalize your design and make it so much more unique when you finally pop it on Instagram. It’s the added extras on the day that can sometimes get overlooked or even just forgotten. Ever done that? You finish the makeup and then you come back inside and you clean up, and then you find a little bag of something, “Oh, we forgot to put the earrings in,” something like that. 

Those little details that just personalize the look so much more.
They can really be fun. And it’s just like the little cherry on the top, aren’t they?

I’m a sucker for having a bit of a play and pushing it for the last pics of the day, including the addition of some blood on the teeth and in the fur and just a little spritz of water spray just for added grittiness. 

Or if you want to go dirty, if it’s a. If it’s a light colored fur or skin tone, just some ground in dirt and things like that, that can all add that extra layer and extra context to the character.


Make sure you choose interesting locations for your photos, too. And try to get finished early enough in the day to get some lovely, even outdoor lighting, too. Remember that overcast is best because that is if you don’t have access to a fancy pants studio for your photography. But all these things can, can really help you achieve a more unique and cool character.

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Make Lists

Now, lastly, before we go, make yourself a list.

Plot out your goal, what you want to achieve with this exercise, because you are investing, you know, blood, sweat, and tears, literally.

With your checklist, once you get creating, start marking off things because it feels so good.

Once you start crossing those things off, and by writing things down as well, you will commit to the task so much more actively. It’s proven to be so. So make lists. I love a good list. 

And get your werewolf makeup done with a with a hefty list in tow, you’ll be flying. 

So I hope you’ve enjoyed my slight indulgence in the world of the werewolf. 

I hope you go away thinking about, and I don’t know about you, but it just makes me think of Creedence Clearwater Revival or popping on a little bit of Van Morrison. And at the very least, watching American Werewolf in London, because how can you not after talking about werewolves?

Click here to listen to this episode!

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Featured Image by Brett Stanley

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More episodes you might enjoy:

• How to Stand Out Authentically in An Oversaturated Industry

• Building a Pro Kit on a Beginner Budget (Without Regretting It Later)

• Why the Ben Nye Master Bruise Wheel Belongs in Your Makeup Kit

The post How to Create a Screamworthy Werewolf Makeup Look appeared first on The Makeup Refinery.

]]> https://themakeuprefinery.com/werewolf-makeup-look/feed/ 0 https://themakeuprefinery.com/spirit-gum-alternative/ https://themakeuprefinery.com/spirit-gum-alternative/#respond Sun, 24 Mar 2024 18:31:04 +0000 https://themakeuprefinery.com/?p=522044 Still using spirit gum for lace facial hair pieces and battling glossiness, and long clean up times? Join me as I explore whether spirit gum still has a place in our kits. So, if you’re eager to learn about the cutting-edge products and techniques transforming the industry, let’s get started! is spirit gum obsolete? Listen...

The post Is Spirit Gum Obsolete? appeared first on The Makeup Refinery.

]]> Still using spirit gum for lace facial hair pieces and battling glossiness, and long clean up times? Join me as I explore whether spirit gum still has a place in our kits. So, if you’re eager to learn about the cutting-edge products and techniques transforming the industry, let’s get started!

is spirit gum obsolete?

Listen to Episode:

Or Listen On:

Apple PodcastsSpotifyPandoraiHeartRadio

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This post may contain affiliate links, such as Amazon and Shop My, that I may earn from qualifying links. This means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, but never fear, because it means no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.

.

In This Episode We Cover:

• How being open to trying new adhesive products can revolutionize and improve your makeup applications.
• Using caution and care with materials like TS 100 and Attagel is essential to ensure safety when working with potentially harmful substances in makeup effects.
• While using newly developed products can be game-changers, there might just still be a place for the classic spirit gum in makeup kits, offering quick on-set touchups and versatile usage in various makeup techniques.

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click here to read the transcript!

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Episode 56: Show notes

I feel like I never stop going on about the years I’ve been fortunate enough to work in the world of makeup.

And in that time, I’ve witnessed some epic advancements in prosthetic makeup applications. One of the most notable developments is the introduction of a product called Super Baldiez, which has raised the question: Is spirit gum becoming obsolete?

In the past, spirit gum was the adhesive of choice for gluing lace pieces, hand-laying hair and wool, crepe hair, and even attaching prosthetics to the face.

It has been a staple in the industry for almost 150 years, used by theatrical entertainers and early movie stars. I have fond memories of using spirit gum, whether in combination with nose and scar wax to flatten eyebrows or to create texture for a gravel rash at a moment’s notice on set.

The hassle of removal has always accompanied spirit gum.

Even with high-quality options available today, there’s always a lingering glossy shine beneath the lace that I like to solve with my favorite anti-shine product.

And additionally, the process of removing spirit gum from your performer’s skin and cleaning your lace pieces can be laborious, creating a repetitive, time-consuming routine for the best of us.

In contrast, the relatively new process of combining Super Baldiez with a mattifying powder has revolutionized the process of adhering lace pieces.
By creating a matte adhesive that is strong and long-lasting with no shine, it seemingly melts the appearance of the lace away, providing a breakthrough in the world of makeup and wig applications, actually.

The use of mattifying powders like TS 100 and Attagel in conjunction with Super Baldiez has transformed the way lace pieces are glued on.
While these materials require caution due to their fine silica dust particles and potent ingredients, they have significantly improved the efficiency and aesthetics of the makeup process.

Let’s say I’m applying a lace front beard over a full silicon appliance. Start with the chin area to get it anchored on in the center, and you will strategically lay the lace piece into the painted on Super Baldiez which can result in a seamless, natural appearance.
And the option to quickly lift and move the lace piece if you need to, and the ease with which any uneven edges can be rectified make Super Baldiez a game changer for all of us.

Unlike spirit gum, Super Baldiez can be easily removed with isopropyl or ethanol alcohol, simplifying the cleanup process and saving time.

Now I might add, I still carry Spirit gum in my set kit and just it for maintenance throughout the day, especially is using lace facial hair pieces on performers’ skin, and not necessarily on top of prosthetic appliances.
The convenience of performing quick touch-ups on set with the use of Allied FX Spirit Gum “X” in a tube also reminds me that there is very much still a place in your makeup kit for spirit gum, for sure.

So, while advancements with products like Super Baldiez may have transformed our industry somewhat, I believe there is still room for spirit gum.

Its adaptability and unique uses, such as flattening eyebrows or adding a gloss finish to makeup wounds, make it a valuable product to have on hand.
As the industry evolves, it’s essential to remain open to new products and techniques while also recognizing the value of traditional products like spirit gum.

The introduction of Super Baldiez has significantly impacted prosthetic makeup applications, offering a modern alternative to traditional adhesives like spirit gum.
However, the versatility and staying power of spirit gum and its unique applications ensure that it continues to have a place in our world.

Embracing new advancements while appreciating the strengths of traditional products is crucial in navigating the ever-changing landscape of the makeup industry.

Click here to listen to this episode!

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Links & Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

• Super Baldiez
• Nose and Scar Wax
• KD 151 Spirit Gum
• Naimie’s Very Flat Matte Gum
• Allied FX Spirit Gum X
• TS 100
• PAX Paint
• Attagel
• WM Creations Spirit Gum
• Safety Data Sheet TS 100
• Metal Pronged Comb
• Baking Trays for Soaking Hairpieces
• Wypall Set Up Towels

Episode Transcript

[00:00:00]: In recent years, particularly in the world of prosthetic makeup applications that involve large facial hair pieces as well, there’s been a rather wonderful development with the introduction of a product called Super Baldiez to adhere the lace to the prosthetic and sometimes overlapping onto the skin or just the prosthetic.
Well, this is how I’ve mainly used material and how I love to use the material. Yeah, it’s a marvel. I remember the first time I used a super Baldiez mix with a mattifier to lay down a lace piece, and we’ll get to formulations in a little bit. But I literally watched the lace disappear before my eyes. I never thought I’d see, use, or speak of spirit gum again.

But is this the case? Is there still room for “ye olde” spirit gum that you have to admit has been around the block for quite some time now?

[00:01:26]: First of all, let’s go back to a time when spirit gum was pretty much the only adhesive to use to glue lace pieces, handlay hair and wool, crepe hair, and even glue down prosthetics to the face, since theatrical entertainers and early movie stars transformed for us on screen. And now that’s going back almost 150 years or so.

I also dabbled in spirit gum myself, both in combination with nose and scar wax to flatten down eyebrows and then set the wax with a light coating of the spirit gum and just get tap, tap tapping to just kind of dry and set it after it’s gone on over the wax.
One time, I even remember being on set and using it in a pinch when I had to create a gravel rash at short notice. I stippled it on with a large black stipple sponge so that the application was uneven, but it gave me a little texture where the spirit gum landed, and once dried, I could paint straight over it and have something with a little tenacity, a little bite to it. It wasn’t groundbreaking by any means, but I had to create it right then and there on the spot. And spirit gum was what I had in my kit.

[00:02:53]: I always remember my makeup college days with spirit gum and the seemingly very emollient removers that would take an eternity to remove every last trace of it from my face or from someone else’s face. And no matter which spirit gum you would use, even the best ones on the block today, KD 151 Naimie’s Very flat matte adhesive.

And the Allied Effects Spirit Gums, which are my favorites, I think, including their very handy X Spirit Gum, which is also available in a tube, might I add, perfect for onset quick touch-ups. I always feel like you’re constantly chasing that glossy shine that peeps out from underneath the lace. So whenever you would use spirit gum, you must always carry your trusty tube of antishine right there too, are like a perfect pair and can’t go anywhere without one another. And then there’s the removal.

Getting the crunchy layer of resin-based glue off the skin always seemed so laborious. And once you finally get that done, then it’s time to clean the lace pieces too, right? The bashing, the tapping with your little lace brush.

[00:04:10]: And if you put pieces on a performer on a daily basis, it would end up being this Groundhog Day type dance where you could feel like the second you block your clean pieces fresh for the following day’s outing, it’s time for them to go right back on again. It’s pretty relentless, but I must say, this is not the case with using super baldiez mixed with a mattifying powder to create this matte. Yes, I said matte adhesive that is strong enough to last all day long with no shine, and that just seemingly melts the appearance of that lace away.

How can this be real? It is. I promise you. Okay, so what mattifying powders are we talking about here? The first I’ll mention is called TS 100, and it’s an immensely fine and lightweight powder that in makeup used as a mattifying agent in materials such as spirit gums, paxes, even inside Prosaide to thicken it and create bondo or prosaide cream. If you’re going to try this at home for the first time, please, before you open a jar, know that this is very nasty stuff. I suggest wearing a dust mask.

[00:05:23]: At the very least, work in an area with no fans or drafts, and always open the lid away from your face. The very fine silica dust particles, if breathed in, can cause damage to your lungs and far worse without you even knowing it.

So just think of it being 100 times finer than a grain of sand. So do use it with extreme caution and care, and it is worth taking a look at. The SDS safety data sheet information. I’ll try and find it, and I can link to it in the show notes as well. Now, another material you can use is called attagel. While very similar in texture and in its ingredients to TS 100, Attagel feels slightly heavier than the light as a feather.

[00:06:11]: TS 100. It’s a crystalline silica, but is also made up of magnesium oxide. Again, use extreme caution when working with this stuff, as you do not want to breathe it in and use it to mattify your super baldies. It has a kind of clay look to it, and you may have worked with products containing it without even knowing it. Or maybe you did know. For example, the WM creation spirit gum I suspect contains attagel. In fact, I’m pretty sure it does. Just by looking at it, you can see that residue that usually needs a good shake up before you work with it.

[00:06:52]: The residue that sits in the bottom well, that’s Attagel. And some old age stipple materials contain attagel as well to take that gloss shine out of your end result. And for me, this is my mattifier of choice for making Super Baldiez matte for lace piece adhering.

Okay, now that we’ve got the scary stuff out of the way, let’s talk about all the good things that will save you time, stress, and make your work look that much better, too. Let’s say you are gluing on a lace front beard over a full silicon appliance on a performer’s face. I generally like to start at the chin area, fit your lace piece on so you can eyeball where it needs to sit correctly. Then take away your lace piece and paint a thin but even coating of your super baldies. Mix around the chin area, then simply lay your lace piece into it.

[00:07:49]: And now you do have a little working time if you need to lift and move anything, but work efficiently, as that’s the goal here. Remember now, once you’re happy with the position of the piece, you can use a pronged comb or the metal edge of a tail comb to press that lace through the hair to ensure that it’s attached to the skin.

Now, I’ll link to all these tools in the show notes page also. And once you have your lace piece anchored, you can move up and out on the sides of the beard and lay down the lace into the baldies and get that piece on with ease. And then here’s my favorite thing about super baldies. If you don’t quite get your lace edge adhered, you can easily just come in and paint on top of the lace and press it down with a damp chamois. Or there’s these spongy kitchen wipes that Bill Corso introduced me to by way of my friend Goran Lundstrom. I’ll try and find them on Amazon and link to them in the show notes.

[00:08:51]: But it’s a few millimeters thick and it’s a spongy kitchen wipe and I cut them up into little squares and dampen them and then you can just lightly press over those lace edges and literally watch them disappear.
Seriously, this is a real breakthrough in the world of lace pieces, and I especially love it on top of silicon prosthetics because the materials basically become one, don’t they? The baldiez holding the lace piece onto the material which is encapsulated with a product similar if not the same as super baldies. It may be the original baldies, which is based on an acetone solvent, not alcohol, which the super baldies is just to clear up any confusion. And while we’re on that matter, be sure to always use the super baldiez version.

That way your pieces can very easily be removed with isopropyl alcohol or even ethanol alcohol. Then simply set them in a low pan. I like to use baking trays with some alcohol in the bottom and they can soak while you finish wrapping up your actor or your performer in the chair. And so once you say goodnight to them, then the hard work is already done for you when you come back to your lace pieces and a simple pressing with an alcohol dampened powder puff should see them free of any baldies or paint ready for blocking and dressing for tomorrow or whenever they next go on.

[00:10:21]: And a quick note, if you place a setup towel in the base of your tray and literally just soak the towel with alcohol, you can get this down to an art where the alcohol doesn’t really even touch the hair, only the lace on your lace pieces. And this way you’re not going to disturb or dry out the hair, which again in turn is helping to speed up your dressing work afterwards. Total game changer.

Things do seem so much more efficient and sophisticated nowadays in terms of adhesives and removals on the market, but I do feel that there still is a place for spirit gum for quick touchups on set.

As I mentioned, the x spirit gum in a tube is ready to use and perfect for working on set when you have to work on the spot and quickly. I’ve also used spirit gum very lightly to just brush over the top of a flyaway eyebrow to keep it in place in high winds. I’ve painted it over wounds to give a little gloss-setting finish to the inside of an open wound. And I know many people still use it to this day to flatten eyebrows.

[00:11:31]: So I think for me, while evolving and being open to new products and trying new techniques is absolutely imperative, sometimes the old ones can be the perfect solution, too. And sometimes you can even find new ways of using them as well.

Till next time. And I say always have room in your kit for a little spirit gum. For as brilliant as its descendants are, you never know when it’ll solve a problem for you again.

Okay, see you next time. Bye.

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