Ageing Of The Skin

Ageing of the skin using latex and stipple worked really well. I didn't know you could age the skin like that in a way it crates that many lines and wrinkles. I remember in school when we used to put PVA glue on the back of the hand and that would give the same effect when it was dry - then we would peek it off!

Health and Safety 

Follow all health and safety procedures, making sure the client is fully covered up so no latex gets on to the clients clothing. No fluffy clothes to be worn either as fluff can get into the latex and all hair must be tied back so doesn't stick into the latex.
You must always do a check on the clients arm with a blob of the latex to see if they are allergic, if there is any heat, itchiness or soreness remove the latex straight away using warm water. To remove the latex in general always use warm water to sooth the latex off the skin. Do not pull off the skin and do not put down the skin as it clogs them up. Always clean out bowls with couch roll, scoop the latex out as it starts to dry it is easier to remove and put any other consumables in the bin.
Put a barrier cream on the skin where you will be applying the latex, this protects the skin and acts as a small barrier so it doesn't damage the skin but still allows to put prosthetics on the skin.
Never apply latex on to hairy areas especially on males as the latex hurts to remove and can pull on hairs and always keep the clients closed when working around that area - the smell can be overpowering on the eye so keep them closed.
Always work in a well ventilated room so the smells can remove them self from some where and don't linger,
Always check with the client they are alright, with applying the latex, stretching the skin and the hair dryer in the clients face - always check they are ok.
When applying the layers make sure the last one is always dry before adding more layers, this can make the latex pickle and bubble - then you will have to start again.

What I Used 

- Cleanser, toner
- Barrier cream
- Sponges
- Bowls
- Latex and stipple latex
- Hair dryer
- Illamasqua loose powder
- Supra colours
- Acetone
- Cotton buds
- Make up brushes
- Spatulas
- Couch roll and a cover

What I Did 

1. I removed any make up off the skin with cleaner and toned the skin too
2. I used the barrier cream on the skin, in this case it was a Kryolan Barrier Mousse
3. I let that dry and got my sponge, dipped it in to the latex and stippled it on the the sides on the eyes/temple area stretching the skin really well
4. I made sure that area was dry using the hair dryer by it changing colour from white to clear, I then added another layer of latex and dried that too with the hair dryer
5. When I was happy with the layers, I went around the edges to remove any harsh ones from the skin, to make it appear smooth on the skin
6. I squeezed the skin together so it was"back in its right place" and not stretched and you could see the wrinkles on the skin
7. I applied the loose powder over the latex to matt the look so it isn't shiny on the skin. You can then add foundation over that too but I just added some dark areas and a dark are in the corner of the eye to make he clients eye "tired". I used brushes and my fingers to blend the colours in to the latex and the skin.

To make the latex/wrinkled skin look real you need to look at the clients skin and other people skin and how it ages. What colours does it have and how does it look, a 50 year old skin will be different to a 60 year old skin. Is there age spots? Is there bad wrinkles and lines going down the cheeks?

Researching and looking at the areas you want to modify is crucial as you don't want to create something that is not real looking.

My parter did the Stipple latex on my neck, we did the same procedure as the other latex making sure the layers were only just nearly dry though and giving it a rub so the skin looked dry, holey and kind of gross. This latex was applied with a smooth sponge and it has a skin tones colour to it instrad of drying clear.

Reflection 

I really liked learning how to make the skin age like this, I had no idea this was how it was done and i thought it would be a lot more difficult. I find these latex products were really easy and nice to work with too.
The latex i liked the best to apply is the normal latex as you can see when its dry, you can see the look on the skin and it is easier to cover up and blend in to the skin as it is clear.
But I did like the stipple latex as I like the look it gives the skin, it is different to the normal latex as you can rub and work with it when it isn't fully dry. The only thing I don't like about this latex is the colour. It makes it harder to cover up and blending in to the skin but I suppose practice makes perfect for this area.

The bits I didn't like was removing the product, it is very easy to remove but the latex (with the barrier cream) stick on to the skin very well, which is a good things, but it just makes it a little harder to remove. Once it is off it all kind of comes off at once but its just the initial getting off that feels like your pulling a plaster off your face!

Over all, I really enjoyed today and I would love to do this lesson again, learning different techniques and different things you can to do blend it in to the skin and get practising on skin colours and tones.