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Medusa represents a fusion of ancient Greek beauty and terror. Creating your own Medusa costume involves affixing rubber snakes to your hair, wearing a Greek-inspired dress, and applying subtle makeup to accentuate your snake-adorned hairdo. For detailed instructions on achieving this look, continue reading.
Steps to Follow
Elegant Snake Hair
Curl your hair. Begin with wavy hair for the best results.
- There are various methods to curl your hair. For a durable curl, use a curling iron or foam hair rollers. A curling iron is suitable for most hair textures, but individuals with fine hair may require rollers for a lasting wave.
- You can also create waves using braids. Braid your hair into multiple pigtails and leave them overnight or for several hours before your event. Undo the braids and lightly comb them to form waves. The more braids you make, the wavier your hair will be.
- Achieve beach waves by applying hair gel generously and pushing the ends of your hair toward the base of your head section by section. This will create folds in the hair, giving it a wavy appearance. Although the gel may appear wet even after drying, it will maintain waves for a few hours. Finish by spraying green hairspray.
- Note: If you have short hair or prefer a simpler option, consider purchasing a green wig with long, wavy strands.
Secure 15 large rubber snakes onto a wig. Use green craft wire and hot glue to fasten the rubber snakes onto the wig.
- Position each snake on the wig with its head hanging to the side, maintaining a 'wavy' appearance rather than straightening it. Secure it in place by wrapping wire around it.
- Attach another snake to the wig with its head facing the opposite direction.
- Fasten the remaining large snakes onto the wig by creating holes in the wig and gluing them down, using additional wire for reinforcement. Arrange the snakes to achieve balance on both sides of your head, avoiding perfect symmetry.
Place the wig onto your head. Adjust the position of the attached snakes to prevent them from obstructing your face.
- Consider securing the snakes in place by tying them to your head with wire if necessary.
Secure smaller rubber snakes directly onto your wig. If your headspace isn't already filled with rubber snakes, affix a few additional ones directly onto your wig by wrapping wire around them and sections of your wig hair.
- Conceal the wire beneath your hair whenever possible.
Assess your appearance in the mirror. Make any required adjustments to the curls and snake placement in your hair, using hairspray, wire, and hot glue as necessary to keep them in place.
Variety in Snake Hair
Create braids in your hair. Form numerous small braided ponytails using all of your hair.
- Aim for at least 10 to 12 braids, though more braids are preferable.
- If you have short hair, consider using hair extensions or a wig. Even with long hair, a wig can offer convenience. Braid and arrange the wig before placing it on your head.
- Secure each braid with a small elastic or rubber band.
Choose between leaving your hair down or pinning it up. You can opt for a simple down style or elevate your look by pinning your braids into a bun atop your head.
- For a classic snake-adorned appearance, leave your hair down.
- For a more sophisticated and understated look, gather the braids into a bun and secure at the crown of your head.
Integrate the snakes into your hair. Interweave small rubber snakes among your braids, securing them with extra elastic bands as necessary.
- If wearing your hair down, wrap one to three snakes around each braid. Opt for three snakes per braid with fewer braids, and one snake per braid with more. Weave the snakes between the braids, loosely tying them in place with the elastics. Ensure some snakes face upward while others hang downward.
- If wearing your hair up, weave four to six snakes into the braids. Position some snakes outward and others downward. Secure dangling snakes by attaching a thread to a bobby pin and inserting it into the snake with a sewing needle. Slide the pin into your hair and adjust as needed to hold the snake in place.
Choosing the Attire
Opt for a Grecian-style dress. Purchase a Greek goddess costume or wear a white dress inspired by Greek fashion.
- A typical Grecian-style dress is long, straight, and column-like, featuring draping fabric with a flowing appearance. It may be worn over one or both shoulders, with or without sleeves, and typically includes a waistband.
- For a contemporary and chic twist, consider a one-shoulder dress made from flowing fabric that falls just above the knee.
Craft a no-sew 'peplos' gown. The peplos dress was a long garment worn exclusively by women in ancient Greece.
- Take a white sheet or a large piece of fabric folded in half. Its width should be slightly less than twice your arm span, and its length should match your height plus 18 inches (46 cm). Fold it so it reaches from elbow to elbow.
- Fold the top 18 inches (46 cm) down.
- Wrap the fabric around you with the folded portion just below your arms and one side open.
- Secure the fabric at your shoulders, overlapping it on each side. Fasten it with knots or decorative brooches or pins.
- Join the open side by overlapping the fabric and securing it with safety pins or knots in several places along the side. Optionally, use a needle and thread to tack it in place.
- Complete the look with a belt around your waist, using either a white sash or an ornamental gold metal belt. Allow excess fabric to drape gently over the belt.
Create a simple 'chiton' dress with sewing. The chiton, worn by both men and women in ancient Greece, could be short or long.
- Use white fabric, such as a sheet, twice your arm span in width and equal to your height. For a shorter chiton, use slightly shorter material.
- Fold the fabric in half widthwise, extending from fingertip to fingertip, without altering the height.
- Sew along the open side seam. Turn the fabric inside out and sew a straight or backstitch along the open side to create a sturdy seam. Then, turn the fabric right-side out again.
- Slip it on and secure the open top. While the top remains open, the garment should drape just below your arms. Leave space for your arms and head to pass through, joining the rest of the top edge with brooches, pins, or knots. Optionally, tack the top edge with a needle and thread at various points.
- The points where the top edge meets should be linked by draped fabric arches, revealing skin between each spot on your shoulders and arms. Do not create a single straight line over your arms by overlapping the fabric.
- Finish with a belt around your waist, using either a white sash or a gold metal belt. Allow a bit of excess fabric to hang over the belt.
Make-Up and Accessories
Emphasize your eyes and lips. Utilize heavy makeup for this costume, applying thick coats of gray and green greasepaint across your face. Create large black circles around your eyes, wear yellow fright-contact lenses, and add stage blood to your mouth.
- Remember, Medusa should be as frightening as she is beautiful. Apply makeup to achieve a freaky, scary, and morbid appearance.
- Use green foundation to mimic her pallid complexion. Given her dark dwelling, Medusa likely had pale skin with cracked, peeling patches.
- Draw focus to your eyes with extra black eyeliner and mascara. Apply dark eyeshadow for a gaunt look, or opt for bold metallic green or purple shades for a more subdued, eccentric appearance.
- Choose between black or red lipstick. Black offers a spooky vibe, while bright or deep reds enhance Medusa's allure. Apply tooth black to simulate authentic decayed teeth.
Add terrifying scales. Use face paint to draw small scales around your forehead, facial edges, and along your hands' and feet's sides.
- You can also draw scales using black or green eyeliner, or for a 3D effect, cut scales from colored construction paper and affix them with a water and flour mixture or cellophane tape.
- Note that this step is optional; even without scales, you should still resemble Medusa distinctly.
Carry additional snakes. You may drape a large rubber snake over your shoulders or waist, or wrap a smaller one around your fingers.
- Hold a rubber snake in each hand, or attach them using skin-safe adhesive squares.
- If opting for a larger snake, ensure it is sizable enough to coil naturally without needing constant support.
Choose simple footwear. Flat, gold, or beige sandals are ideal. Coat any exposed skin with non-toxic green tempera paint.
Accessorize generously. Wear antique-style earrings, bracelets, or brooches. Don't fret about going too extravagant—the essence of Medusa was hedonistic and lavish.
Helpful Hints
Materials Needed
- Wig
- 15 large rubber snakes
- Various small rubber snakes
- Plastic vampire fangs (optional)
- Pipe cleaners or crafting wire
- Orthodontic elastics or other small rubber bands
- Bobby pins
- Thread
- Sewing needle
- White sheet or alternative fabric
- Gold metal belt or white sash
- Eyeliner
- Mascara
- Eye shadow & Yellow snake contact lenses
- Lipstick
- Foundation
- Snake accessories
- Flat sandals
- Face paint
- Antique-style jewelry
