Buzz
Whether it's for costume parties, cosplay events, or theatrical performances, knowing how to create a fake beard can be incredibly useful. Depending on the materials you have, you can fashion a simple, faux beard suitable for casual dress-ups, or opt for a more realistic one ideal for cosplay and theater. Once you've mastered the basics of making a beard, you can apply similar techniques to craft other facial hair pieces, such as a mustache!
Instructions
Utilizing Wool Roving for Lengthy Beards
Prepare a 3 by 4-inch (7.6 to 10-cm) felt piece as the foundation for your beard. The exact shape isn't critical, but an oval or trapezoid works best. This felt piece will serve as the base for attaching the wool roving, so opt for a color that matches your wool.
- For instance, if your wool roving is cream-colored, choose white or off-white felt.
- While this method can be used for shorter beards, it's most effective for longer, gnome-like beards.
Create an almond-shaped gap in the felt for your mouth. Position the felt against your face, identify the area where your mouth is located, and if necessary, mark it with a pen. Remove the felt and proceed to cut out an almond-shaped hole. Ensure that the hole is large enough for your lips to fit through.
- Trim the top corners of the hole to better match the curvature of your mouth and cheeks.
Adjust the length of your wool roving to your preference. Take some wool roving and unroll it to form a strand. Divide it widthwise into thinner strands, then cut it into lengths ranging from 6 to 10 inches (15 to 25 cm). Ensure that all strands are of equal length.
- Avoid cutting the wool roving, as this will result in sharp ends that appear unnatural.
- Wool roving can be purchased at craft stores, fabric shops, yarn stores, or online. It is essentially unspun wool.
Position a narrow strip of roving beneath the lower edge of the mouth opening. Take a 1-inch (2.5-cm) wide strip of wool roving and tuck the last 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) beneath the almond-shaped mouth opening. Ensure that the longer section of the wool is facing upward to cover the mouth, while the tucked portion faces downward.
- Repeat this process 1 to 2 more times until the entire bottom edge of the mouth is covered.
- After sewing, flip the longer section of wool downward to conceal the seam.
Secure the wool roving in place with sewing or adhesive. Use a thread matching the color of the wool and set your sewing machine to a straight stitch with a short length. Commence sewing from the bottom-left corner of the mouth and conclude at the bottom-right corner.
- Backstitch at the beginning and end of sewing to prevent thread unraveling.
- Sew as close as possible to the bottom edge of the mouth, avoiding stitching across the top edge.
- If sewing is not an option, alternatives include using hot glue, tacky glue, or fabric glue.
Flip the wool roving to drape over the mouth opening. Upon completing the sewing process, eliminate any loose threads. Pull down the longer section of wool roving covering the mouth to reveal the opening once more. This action conceals the 1/2-inch (1.3-cm) segment of wool roving that was sewn down.
- If glue was used, allow sufficient time for it to dry. Hot glue sets quickly, but fabric glue may require 15 to 20 minutes. Tacky glue may take several hours to set.
Wrap a length of roving with string to form the mustache. Select a piece of wool roving for the mustache and cut it to your desired length. Take a piece of thread matching the color of the roving and wrap it several times around the middle of the roving. Tie the thread tightly into a knot.
- This will create a cinched effect in the middle of the mustache, giving it a more realistic appearance.
Attach the mustache to the top of the felt piece using glue. Apply hot glue, fabric glue, or tacky glue along the upper edge of the mouth area. Press the roving into the glue, ensuring that the knotted part is centered. Additionally, you can affix the remaining portion of the beard using the same method.
Fasten a thin elastic band to each side of the felt piece. Position the beard against your face and measure the circumference around the back of your head from one side of the felt to the other. Cut a thin elastic band according to this measurement, tie knots at both ends, and staple each knot to the respective side of the felt.
- Alternatively, thread the elastic band through a yarn or tapestry needle, insert it through the felt, remove the needle, and tie a knot in the elastic.
Creating a Faux Fur Beard
Outline the shape of a beard on the reverse side of a faux fur piece. Flip a piece of faux fur fabric over so that the fabric side faces up. Use a marker to draw the outline of a beard, ensuring to include the mouth hole.
- Felt can be used as an alternative.
- Choose any color for your beard, although white, brown, black, gray, or orange will provide a more natural look.
Trim the beard using scissors or a craft blade. Ensure that you cut from the fabric's reverse side. Carefully slide the scissors through the fur, avoiding cutting the fibers. Your aim is to cut only the fabric part of the fur, leaving the fur intact. Remember to also cut out the mouth hole.
- The mouth opening should be large enough to expose your lips.
- If crafting a felt beard, opt for scissors.
Attach an 8-inch (20-cm) elastic band to each side of the beard. Cut an 8-inch (20-cm) length of elastic. Fold it in half to form a loop, then sew it onto the top-left corner of the beard. Ensure that the beard and elastic overlap by approximately 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm). Repeat this process for the right side of the beard.
- Ensure that you sew the elastic to the back of the beard. For faux fur, this is the fabric side, not the furry side.
- The elastic should be long enough to loop around your ears. Adjust the length based on your head size if necessary.
- Alternatively, you can cut a single piece of elastic and sew each end to one side of the beard. This allows you to pull the elastic over the back of your head rather than over your ears.
Prepare an identical beard from matching felt. Locate a piece of felt matching the beard's color. Position your faux fur or felt beard on top of the felt. Trace around the beard using a marker, then set it aside. Cut the felt slightly inside the traced lines.
- If crafting a simple faux fur beard, you can stop here.
- For a basic felt beard, this step is necessary. Two layers of felt provide greater strength compared to a single layer.
Secure the second felt piece to the back of the beard using pins and sewing. Flip the beard over to reveal the back side. Position the felt beard on top, covering the elastic. Pin it in place, then sew around the edges using a whipstitch.
- Alternatively, you can adhere the two pieces together using fabric glue.
- If both pieces are felt, consider using a sewing machine with a straight stitch and a 1/8 to 1/4-inch (0.32 to 0.64-cm) seam allowance.
Crafting a Lifelike Beard
Prepare the beard just before you plan to wear it. This beard is intended for single-use and offers a high level of realism, making it perfect for costumes, cosplay, and theatrical performances. Allocate at least thirty minutes for beard preparation.
- You can prepare the beard earlier, but avoid doing so the day before as it may be uncomfortable to sleep in and could create a mess.
Unwind 12 inches (30 cm) of crepe wool. Crepe wool can be found in the doll-making section of select craft stores and fabric shops, although costume stores or online retailers may offer better options. It consists of wool roving woven into a braid-like rope with string.
- To unwind crepe wool, gently pull on the attached string and carefully unravel the wool.
- For optimal results, choose a color that closely matches your own hair. If an exact match isn't available, opt for a slightly darker shade.
Separate and trim the crepe wool to your desired length. Delicately pull the wool apart to create a wide, thin sheet. Separate a tuft of wool close to your desired length, hold it against your chin, and trim as necessary.
Apply spirit gum beneath your chin and allow it to set for one minute. Open a bottle of spirit gum and use the attached brush to apply a thin layer beneath your chin, focusing on the bone area. Allow the spirit gum to become tacky for one minute.
- Apply only a small area of spirit gum, approximately 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) wide and 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) long.
- Spirit gum is available at costume stores and online retailers.
Secure the crepe wool in place. Locate the cut ends of the wool fibers and spread them out to cover the area where you applied spirit gum. Gently press the wool against the spirit gum, using a wooden cuticle pusher or the end of a makeup brush to position it correctly.
Reapply crepe wool using the same method. After applying spirit gum to your jaw and allowing it to dry for one minute, cut and press the crepe wool into place. Begin along your jawline, then work upwards towards your chin and jawbone.
- The extent to which you apply the beard is your choice. You can even add a touch to your upper lip for a mustache.
- Refer to real beard images for inspiration on style and shape.
Shape the beard to your preferred length. Some areas of the beard may be uneven. Use small trimming scissors to sculpt the beard into your desired shape. Look to online images for guidance on beard trimming techniques.
- Avoid using beard trimmers or clippers as they may become clogged with spirit gum. Opt for precise trimming scissors instead.
Apply translucent setting powder to absorb excess spirit gum. This will reduce shine and help the spirit gum dry. For optimal results, use loose theatrical-grade translucent setting powder and a large, fluffy makeup brush. These items are commonly available in costume stores and online.
- At this stage, you can proceed with the rest of your makeup routine, including foundation, contouring, eyeshadow, and more.
Remove the beard using spirit gum remover when ready. Dip a sponge-tipped makeup brush into spirit gum remover and dab it along the top edge of the beard. Allow approximately 30 seconds for the spirit gum to dissolve before gently removing the beard. Repeat this process for each layer of beard until fully removed.
- Afterwards, cleanse your chin and jaw area (where spirit gum was applied) with a cotton ball soaked in spirit gum remover to eliminate any residue.
- Spirit gum remover is available for purchase online and at costume stores, usually located alongside spirit gum products.
Helpful Tips
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Ensure the beard color matches your own. Opt for a slightly darker shade if an exact match isn't available.
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You can discover small faux fur samples at craft stores, but fabric stores offer a wider variety.
Essentials
Utilizing Wool Roving for Lengthy Beards
- Felt
- Wool roving
- Scissors
- Sewing machine
- Hot glue, fabric glue, or tacky glue
- Thin elastic
Crafting a Faux Fur Beard
- Faux fur and/or felt
- Thin elastic
- Sewing pins
- Scissors
- Needle
- Thread
Crafting a Lifelike Beard
- Crepe wool
- Spirit gum
- Spirit gum remover
- Foam-tipped makeup brush
- Scissors
- Powder brush
- Translucent setting powder
