Starter Special Effects Kit!

Hey guys I thought I'd share something a little different with you today. I feel it's really important whether it's just a hobby or a career you want to go in to later in life to have a great basis of products in your starter SFX kit. Although not all of these are completely essential I believe all of them will be beneficial to you in there own way. Enjoy guys.

Liquid Latex: This is a must have in your starter kit, although its not as life like as some products it's brilliant for creating skin peel effects and can be built up using tissue in between layers of the latex to create a structure. Just be careful that someone isn't allergic to latex before you use this on them.

Mehron Synwax: Waxes are a great step up from latex and while not all that durable as they can be damaged by touch, they do allow you to quickly make raised effects that can be easily coloured and sealed. 

Silicons based modelling materials: Here I have sculpt gel from mouldlife. These are brilliant at creating a long lasting flexible structure and definitely a must have if you want a step up from latex and waxes. They usually come in two parts that are mixed together and then applied directly to the skin and then moulded from there before it cures. Some silicons, like sculpt gel, come with a third part which acts a deadener to soften the silicon mixture to give it more flexibility and you more working time with the silicon.

PPI's Skin Illustrator FX Palette: This is a palette of alcohol activated paints, although they are not completely neccesssary they are brilliant at creating long lasting colour compared to cream make up that can wear off easily. Just a warning they are also very expensive and not great for use around the eyes!

99.9% Alcohol: This alcohol is used to activate alcohol activate colours and can be used to clean small areas of skin before applying as adhesive.

PPI's Telesis Super Solv Plus: This acts a remover for adhesives and alcohol activated colours, it is very quick at removing everything and the 'Plus' version is more gentle on your skin.

Ben Nye Cream Colour Wheel: These colour wheels are brilliant for beginners as they're not too expensive and they provide you with a large amount of colours to create many different looks with. Although not as durable as alcohol activated paints, they are still brilliant for creating effects. (Master bruise wheel and Death wheel by Ben Nye photographed.)

Spirit gum and spirit gum remover: Although this isn't a serious contender when it comes to adhesives this is brilliant for beginners and it means you can adhere waxes much better to the skin. Try to aim for a matte version as this has less shine.

Bloodymarvellous Fake Blood: There are many different types of blood out there but I believe when starting off a light and dark blood are essential for you kit due to the different dimensions you can create with them. I would also suggest buying small versions in the beginning in case you don't like the texture or colour of the blood. Also try to make sure the blood can be used around and in the mouth for extra safety.

Variety of make up sponges: Pictured here are regular triangle sponges, a fake sea sponge and some stipple sponges. These are all great at creating different effects and breaking up colours so they're not so flat.

Fake Eyelashes: Although not essential they're great for finishing looks, just like contact lenses, and come in many different styles.

Metal palette: These are great for mixing different colours on and also for mixing each part of a silicon modelling material together.

Face/Eyeshadow brushes: These are great for when creating a whole looks rather than just a small cut and allow you to get detailed eyeshadow work.

Paint and SFX brushes: Theses are brillliant to use with alcohol activated and cream paints and also when using latex, waxes and silicons, as these brushed can be brought very cheaply so it doesn't matter if they get ruin by the latex, and silicons that will dry into them.

Spatulas: I forgot to photograph them sorry! BUT spatulas are esstential when working with wax and silicon as they allow you to easily blend out the edges of these materials into your own skin seamlessly.

I hope you enjoyed reading about what I think is important for you starter SFX guys and that its also helped you  to decide what products would be important for you to use in your starter SFX kit! Thanks again for reading another one of my blog posts!
Becky ox.