How to Create a Fake Wound

Whether you're looking to craft a scar or a fake wound for Halloween or just want to give your friends a good scare, you only need a few common household materials and some makeup to achieve success. You can also use special effects cosmetics designed specifically for this purpose. With the right materials, you'll easily create a fake wound that will elevate your costume to the next level.

Gather the necessary materials to make the fake wound. You will need white glue, makeup in your skin tone, tissue paper, and a few small makeup brushes.

• Make sure to choose a skin-safe glue since you will apply it directly onto your skin.
• Use foundation that matches your skin tone. If you have daily makeup, you can use that as it’s likely already a good match for your skin tone.
• You can also use foundation that's slightly different from your skin tone to enhance the effect of the injured flesh.
• Lay out some newspaper on the table and make sure not to wear clothes you care about in case of accidental messes.

Tear the toilet paper. Tear off a piece of toilet paper that is slightly larger than the area you want to create the wound on.

• If you're making a wound on your hand, a single square piece of toilet paper may be enough.
• For a larger wound, you might need 2-3 squares of toilet paper.
• Toilet paper brands like Kleenex also work. The kind without raised patterns is best.
• Tear another piece of toilet paper to match the first. You need at least two matching pieces, as you will apply at least two layers of paper and glue to the area where you plan to create the fake wound.

Apply glue to the area where you want the wound. Pour a little glue onto a piece of parchment paper or into a cup, and use a brush to apply it to your skin.

• If you just want to create a zombie bite or a small cut on your hand, you don't need much glue. But if you're aiming for a long, deep gash on your arm, you'll need more glue.
• Be sure to use enough glue to ensure the toilet paper sticks firmly to your skin.

Stick the toilet paper onto the glue on your skin. Press it down firmly to ensure the piece of toilet paper adheres to your skin.

• Wait for about 1 minute for the glue to dry. Once the paper is securely stuck to your skin, repeat the process.
• Use the brush to apply another layer of glue over the piece of toilet paper that's already on your skin. Coat the entire surface of the paper with glue and apply another layer of paper.
• Usually, two layers are sufficient, but more layers will give the wound more depth. If you want to create a deeper wound, consider applying 3-5 layers of paper.

Apply glue to the edges of the paper to seal it against your skin. Once both layers of paper have dried, apply glue to the edges of the paper to make the wound appear more realistic.

• The texture of the glue will enhance the effect at the edges of the wound when you use special effects makeup.
• If the edges of the paper are too neat or not firmly pressed down against the skin, your wound will look less realistic.
• You can use a hairdryer to speed up the drying process of the glue.

Apply foundation to blend the paper with your skin tone. To make the wound look more realistic, apply foundation to the surface of the toilet paper on your skin.

• Blend the edges where the paper meets your real skin by applying a little foundation over the area. This will make it harder to notice the boundary between the paper and your skin.
• You should use foundation that matches your skin tone, but it doesn't have to be an exact match. A slightly different shade of foundation can create a natural skin tone variation.
• A flat brush is ideal for this step and will help you apply the foundation smoothly.

Cut and tear the paper to create an open wound. After applying foundation, use scissors or tweezers to cut or tear the paper to simulate the opening of the wound.

• You can make a straight cut if you want to mimic a slash or cut a circle to imitate a zombie bite.
• Be careful when cutting, as you'll need to get the scissors close to your skin. It's best to make a small incision to create a slit in the paper's surface. Once you have a slit, you can continue tearing off the remaining paper.
• Don't peel off the torn paper from your skin. You need to make the wound look as though it's peeling. This will add depth to your fake wound.

Apply makeup. Choose red, purple, gray, or black eyeshadow, and use a makeup brush to apply it to the skin.

• Apply the eyeshadow directly to the area you created by tearing the paper.
• You should also apply eyeshadow around the paper edges.
• Dark eyeshadow will create a natural bruising effect.

Add some fake blood to the wound. Once you're satisfied with the shape and color of the wound, add a bit of fake blood.

• For a more realistic look, drip the fake blood onto both the skin and the paper, then use a brush to blend it into the wound.
• After applying the fake blood, you can add a little more to make it appear as though the wound is actively bleeding.
• To make the blood drip down realistically, drip a few drops into the wound and let it naturally flow down. For example, if you're creating a long, deep cut on the arm, pour the fake blood onto the slash and hang your arm to let it drip down.
• When you're ready to remove the wound, just wash it off.

Gather the necessary materials. For this method, you will need Vaseline, eyeshadow, matte or glossy lipstick, makeup brushes, and toothpicks.

• You will need eyeshadow in dark blue, light blue, light brown, dark brown, red, dark pink/peach, and yellow.
• Dark red lipstick is very effective for creating blood. Glossy lipstick will make the wound look shinier and wetter than matte lipstick. Matte lipstick works well to create dry blood effects.
• You can also use fake blood at the end to enhance the effect.

Apply a layer of Vaseline to the area where you want to create the fake wound. The thicker the layer of Vaseline, the more swollen the wound will appear.

• Blend the edges of the Vaseline layer lightly to make it look more natural.
• This technique works best for creating small, scattered wounds on the hand or arm.

Draw a line on the Vaseline layer to create an open wound. Use a toothpick to carve a line into the Vaseline layer on the skin.

• If you want to make the wound appear as if something has pierced it, create a narrow, slightly jagged cut.
• If you're aiming for a long, deep wound, make a wider groove.

Apply eyeshadow to the wound. Wait for the Vaseline to dry slightly to prevent the eyeshadow from blending too much. Use a brush to apply the eyeshadow to the wound.

• Apply darker shades of brown or gray in the center to add depth.
• For the edges of the wound, use lighter shades like pink or peach to blend the wound into the surrounding skin tone.
• Apply red eyeshadow between the pink and brown to give the impression that the wound is still fresh.
• You can also use blue and/or yellow eyeshadow around the wound to make it look bruised. Colors like blue, yellow, green, and purple will create a bruising effect.
• Be sure to blend the eyeshadow well to eliminate any harsh lines that may look unnatural.

Finish the wound by adding some glossy or matte red lipstick and fake blood. Apply lipstick to the center of the wound to make it look like a fresh cut.

• The wound will appear drier if you use matte lipstick instead of glossy lipstick.
• Complete the effect by adding fake blood to the center of the wound and letting it drip down.

Gather materials. Special effects makeup and liquid latex are designed for stage use, but they can also be used for parties, festivals, or just for fun. You will need the following items:

• Liquid latex. Ben Nye liquid latex is a high-quality brand commonly used in theaters.
• A brush
• Fake blood
• Thin tissue paper. Look for paper without any embossed patterns.
• Dark eyeshadow
• It's a good idea to lay down some newspapers on your table as liquid latex and fake blood can be messy.

Apply liquid latex. Shake the latex bottle before opening. Use a brush to apply the latex to the area where you want to create the fake wound.

• Liquid latex can be messy and a bit tricky to use. Be patient and apply it evenly. The latex dries fairly quickly, so take your time to ensure it's applied neatly.

Attach tissue paper to the latex layer. Liquid latex dries quite fast, so it's best to work in small sections. Press the tissue paper onto the latex so it sticks.

• The tissue paper will stick to the latex easily. You can pull it off and tear away any edges that don't stick.

Apply at least one more layer of tissue paper. Repeat the previous step by applying another layer of latex and sticking another layer of tissue paper on top.

• Two layers of tissue paper are usually sufficient, but if you want the wound to appear deeper, apply 3-5 layers.

Create the open wound. Once the tissue layers have dried, you can tear or cut the tissue and latex to create an opening.

• You can use a toothpick or tweezers to tear or cut a line.
• The tissue and latex will fray, creating the effect of an open wound with peeling skin.

Apply liquid foundation. Once you've created the open wound, apply foundation to the tissue paper and latex.

• Make sure to blend the foundation so that the latex and tissue paper merge seamlessly with your natural skin.
• Use your fingers to blend the surrounding skin area for a thinner application.

Use powder, eyeshadow, and fake blood to simulate a bleeding wound. Apply red eyeshadow or any red powder to the wound.

• Start by applying darker shades around the wound and on the actual skin. Use lighter shades as you move outward.
• Add a few drops of fake blood and mix it, then drop some more around the wound, letting it drip.