To begin with, I set out all my equipment neatly to make sure I had everything that I needed, and it was all clean and sanitized. I had previously washed all my brushes using a specific brush cleanser to kill off any bacteria and to meet the hygiene standards. Then to follow health and safety precautions I tied my hair back, washed my hands, and removed any bags or cases from the floor to prevent myself or my model tripping over them. Next, I equipped my model with PPE including a gown covering her clothes to prevent any makeup or other products from getting onto them and a towel behind her head to rest on. I also made sure my model was comfortable in her seat and checked she had everything she needed. In my opinion I feel that I successfully accomplished the preparation stage, met all the health and safety precautions and was then happy to start with the application.
Firstly, I brushed my model’s hair back and took the bottom section of hair and began spray the hair black using a black hairspray, as her natural hair is blonde which didn’t fit my brief as Eddie’s hair is black. I worked from the bottom sections upwards and made sure it was all completely covered. Once it was all completely covered and I was happy with it I took a sectioning clip and just pinned my models fringe back and wiped away any hairspray which had got into her forehead ready for the makeup application. While I was spraying my model’s hair I turned on the fan and set it to minimum for air ventilation. Overall, I was very happy with the hair so far as it turned out just as I had planned, and it met my brief.
For the makeup stage, I started by blocking out my model’s eyebrows using glue and loose powder in preparation of postiche eyebrows. I then began to create Eddies forehead cut, for this I had previously made a prosthetic piece which I applied using a prosthetic adhesive. Once it was positioned and I was happy with it I started to build up layers of liquid latex around the perimeter to help blend the edges to make it look more realistic. If I was to do this next time I would make the edges of the prosthetic piece slightly thinner therefore making it easier to disguise. Once the latex was dry and I had applied enough layers I set it with powder and applied a light layer of foundation all over the face to help disguise the prosthetic even further. I then started to add colour and depth to the cut using the Ben Nye F/X wheel and a sponge and I stippled the colour on rather than using a brush to give a more realistic effect. Next, I lightly set these paints and the latex using a translucent loose powder, so it didn’t have any shine and it wouldn’t flash back on the pictures. To complete my forehead cut I mixed cotton wool and Ben Nye stage blood together to create a scab blood as I had to improvise as there wasn’t any available. However, this worked just as good and I was happy with the result.
Lastly, I dripped some stage blood from the prosthetic down the side of the eye. This was my first special effect as we had to use at least two to meet the brief. Overall, I was very happy with how the cut turned out as I think it looked realistic and it looked like Eddies.
For my second special effect I recreated Eddie’s busted lip, for this I built up multiple layers of liquid latex on and around the lip. I made sure each layer was dry before adding another to prevent the latex from lifting. Once I was happy with the layering, I carefully peeled up a tiny section of the latex and used scissors to make tiny hole, which I then filled with oil-based paints and stage blood. I also carefully stippled the oil-based paints (red, purple, blue and yellow) around the lip to give the illusion of bruising. Overall, I was happy with the busted lip and it was very easy to recreate.
Next, I used a black eyeshadow and very carefully brushed around the face using a big fluffy brush to make the skin look slightly dirty as this is what Eddies looked like in the musical. I made sure I
used a very light hand when doing this as I didn’t want to apply too much and to make it look unrealistic.
For the last special effect, I recreated Eddie’s black eye and to do this I used the Ben Nye S/F wheel again and built up darkness around the right eye mainly focusing the deeper shades in the inner corner. I added yellow around the edges to help blend out the other shades and to help it look more realistic. Once I was happy with it I added black kohl pencil on the upper and lower lash line, in the tight line and the waterline in both eyes as this is what eddies looked to be wearing as his eyes looked very dark and heavy. To complete the black eye, I set the paints using a translucent powder, again to make sure they didn’t flash back on the pictures. Overall, I was happy with how the black eye turned out.
To complete the makeup look I applied some postiche eyebrows and side burns, which I had previously made, using a prosthetic adhesive to make my model look more masculine as my model was a female. I very carefully positioned the postiche eyebrows to help disguise the bottom edge of the prosthetic. The postiche really pulled my look together and I was super happy with how they looked! Overall, I was pleased with how my makeup and special effects turned out, but next time I would do the certain steps differently to achieve a better outcome.
Once I had finished the makeup I removed the sectioning clip and styled the hair using hairspray and again used my models fringe to help disguise the top edge of the prosthetic.
To complete my entire look, I dressed my model in a plain black t-shirt, blue denim jeans, a black leather jacket, with badges around the collar, and black leather boots. I added accessories such as a leopard print scarf which I pinned to the rim of the jacket, added a white scarf around the neck and I made a ‘catapult’ necklace, which Eddie wore in the musical, using a potato peeler (I removed the blade for safety reasons) and attached it onto a piece of black string and put it around my models neck. I also wrote the words ‘LOVE’ and ‘HATE’ across my models knuckles to look like Eddie’s tattoo and put some bling rings on her fingers which I made look less shiny using black face paint. And the final step was to add in a blow-up saxophone which I bought from a fancy-dress shop because when Eddie enters on his motorbike he is carrying a saxophone, and this really pulled the entire look together.
In conclusion I am highly satisfied with my work, as I believe I met my brief, followed all the health and safety precautions, and recreated the character ‘Eddie’ from The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Becky x
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