Don’t worry! Don’t let the liquid latex allergy ruin your mood. You can still create a spooky look by using a few inexpensive alternatives to liquid latex.
Did You Know?
Liquid latex shrinks about 3% when it dries.
Almost everybody must be acquainted with the fact that behind all those gashes, gouges, wounds, and scars, there is only one thing in common which is liquid latex. Liquid latex is insanely used by horror film makeup artists and also Halloween fanatics.
People love this product due to its elasticity and easy moldability. It is used for creating special effects in theaters and movies. It is commonly used to create warts and burns, and also in skin prosthetics. Latex comes with its own drawbacks apart from the allergic reaction. It is often accompanied by an unpleasant odor, which is of course the rubber smell with added chemicals. Also, this product may not be readily available everywhere. You can still recreate those scary looks by using various liquid latex substitutes along with some other things, which you probably have in your closet.
Good Substitutes For Liquid Latex
Body paint
Alcohol-based body paint can create a look similar to that of colored latex. Also, it is easy to remove this paint from your skin, unlike liquid latex, which requires the hassle of scrubbing. Body paint is in vogue, and many professional makeup artists swear by this product. They use it to color their client’s skin, and it can last for many days. You can even mix it with small spots of vinyl or preferably the vinyl garments for areas on your skin that need intensive paint coverage.
Elmer’s glue
It is not durable, if you compare it with liquid latex. But it’s useful for beginners to master their skills. It is a good homemade alternative to liquid latex made by mixing crayola washable paints. Elmer’s glue can be used to make zombies and other such masks. Also you don’t need to spend a lot on this product. Make sure to use a blow dryer to speed up the drying process.
Silicone rubber
For prosthetic make-up work, silicone rubber is much preferred over liquid latex. It closely resembles human skin, when it comes to color, texture, weight, and movement. It is beneficial due to its hypoallergenic properties for those who are allergic to liquid latex. The only disadvantage of this product is that it’s expensive and difficult to work with. You need a good deal of practice before you become an expert in handling this alternative.
White glue
Apart from being non-toxic, it is user-friendly and you don’t need to think much before applying it on open areas because it does not contain any gas fumes. Drying time is also quick if it’s a light coat. Cleaning up the paint after the show is also easy. You just need plain water and soap and it will easily come off without any fuss.
Makeup wax
To create fake wounds, scars, and scratches you need not just rely on liquid latex, there are better substitutes to use and one of them is makeup wax. The major advantage wax has over liquid latex is that it can be easily molded into any required shape. It is mostly available in stores that sell costume make-up. It’s a beige-colored soft putty with a wax base. It can be painted with stage makeup and filled with fake blood.
Unflavored gelatin
It is a versatile product useful not just in your kitchen, but has several other benefits too. One of the benefit is to create molds and casts. Though it can be reused by melting it, experts recommend discarding it and using a new packet to create your look. It is safe to put it on your body, and it’s cheap as compared to liquid latex. To save time you can even keep the ready gelatin in the freezer for months together.
Spirit gum
Spirit gum can be used as prosthetic adhesive due to its strong holding power. It is produced from alcohol and resin and is an amber liquid adhesive. If you compare both these products, spirit gum has great holding power and is light in weight. But it can be a pain to remove it from your skin. Usually a specially-made adhesive solvent is utilized to get rid of the prosthetics. It can raise allergies in a few people, but it does not contain any latex in its composition.
