Buying Makeup - Prosthetics


MOCHI > The Workshop > Makeup, Etc. > Buying Makeup > Prosthetics

In an ideal world, everyone who wanted to build their own prosthetics would be able to do so. Sadly, you don't always have the time, money, or expertise to do so. Thankfully, there are companies out there who make prosthetics at pretty reasonable prices.

Most pre-made prosthetics are made out either slip cast latex or foam latex. Slip cast latex goes under a variety of names (slush latex, mask latex, etc.). It is fairly stiff: most Halloween rubber masks are made out of this kind of latex. Widely available, it is very easy to work with: just mix it up and pour into a mold. Foam latex looks vaguely spongy: imagine what hair mousse or shaving cream would be like if it were made out of rubber. Many professional foam latex prosthetics are made with "hot foam", which is a pretty complicated process: mixing together several different chemicals in a precise formula, high speed injection, baking in an oven, etc. Some prosthetics are made with "cold foam", which only involves two chemicals and a lot less fuss (but are less flexible). The surface of these prosthetics is very skin-like and are prized for their flexibility, which allows for a greater range of facial expressions.

One commonly carried brand is Woochie, made by Cinema Secrets. (No, we don't know where the name came from either.) Cosplayers coming from other costuming backgrounds may be familiar with Woochie's Space Ears, which are useful for costuming as elves, green-blooded pointy-eared logicians, etc. Most their appliances are made of slip cast latex, although they have some foam latex offerings. They tend to sell "individual" prosthetics rather than bundling them in sets (which is useful when you want a werewolf's claws but a cat's face).

These prosthetics generally require heavy makeup to get them to blend in properly: they are usually light in color and slightly translucent. If you do not have to significantly change the color of the prosthetic, you can get away with just creme-based theater makeup. Otherwise, if the creme makeup is not sticking to the appliance or is not opaque enough, pick up some rubber mask grease (greasepaint).