Liquid Latex: how to use and what to use it for

Liquid latex is a great, versatile product. You can create really cool effects with it and make just about anything out of it. However, if you're new to using it, it can be a bit tricky to use. It is available to buy from almost any special effects make up shops, I get mine from Charles Fox. Make sure that it is suitable to be used on the body.

Safety first! 

It contains ammonia so it is very fume-y and smelly, so try not to use it in small, confined areas. 
This is a bit of a given, but do not get it in your eyes!
When applying on the skin, always, always use vaseline underneath it, this provides a barrier between the latex and the skin - more importantly, the hairs on your skin because believe me when I say it will hurt like hell if you try and pull it off and its sticking to your hair. 
When using on the face, be careful when using it around the eyes as your skin is more delicate, so be extra careful when removing it.

How to apply

I like to use wedge make up sponges, they're soft and easy to use and you can cover large areas quickly with them. Liquid latex will ruin anything you apply it with so I just throw the sponge away after I've used it, you don't want to be using your make-up brushes to apply it with as it will just stick to the hairs. If you prefer using brushes you can always buy cheap ones and throw them away afterwards.

I pour how ever much I need in a small bowl and then just use the sponge and start dabbing onto the skin where desired. Make sure to cover the area of skin in vaseline first, not a thick layer as the latex will never dry, just a thin layer is needed. To speed up the drying process you can use a hair dryer. Once it has dried it will go clear, then, if you want it thicker, apply more layers of latex. It will start to dry as a yellow colour the thicker it is.

You can then colour it using supracolour. I find this is the best thing to use as it covers well and is highly pigmented. I use my fingers, brushes and sponges to apply it, depending on what the look is.

Uses

Liquid latex is a great way to create blisters, burns, scars, wrinkles and gashes. Essentially it is like having a second skin. It is also used to create prosthetic appliances such as ears and noses. As I said it is very versatile. It is a lot of fun to play around with and experiment with to see what you can come up with.

Here are some looks I have created with it..

This is a 2nd degree burn effect. Here I have applied a thin layer of liquid latex, used my fingers to pull up parts to create blisters, used my fingers to colour it using a 'burns wheel' which is a set of colours used to create burns, available from Charles Fox and lastly applied some artificial blood. 
(*tip* using a cocktail stick is a great way to pull up parts and create holes.)

 This is a 3rd degree burn look. I used the same techniques as above but more extreme. 

This was inspired by a character from a television show. I used liquid latex to make it look like my skin was splitting. I used the same technique to create blisters but ripped them a bit more so that some bits were hanging off my face. I then used a dark artificial blood to cover them as well as supracolour from the 'burns wheel'.

Removing

If you're using it on more 'hardy' parts of the body such as hands and arms then you can usually peel it straight off. If you're using on the face or if you have more sensitive skin, it is better to use a cloth soaked in warm soapy water, apply this to your skin and gently pull of the latex. I have also found that using facial wipes are quite effective. 
(*tip* if I have any left over in the bowl and it hasn't dried, I pour it back into the bottle. Do not pour it down a sink because it may block it. Wait until it dries and then just peel it out of the bowl and throw it in the bin.)


I hope you enjoyed this and that it is useful to you!
See you soon
Beth x

Links:
Charles Fox: http://www.charlesfox.co.uk/

My website: http://bhaggar94.wix.com/bethfx

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/bethhaggarmakeup