Bald Cap suggestions/tips?

[Miana]

For Comic-Con next summer, I'm planning on doing Avatar Yangchen from Avatar: The Last Airbender.

Since shaving my head is not an option, I'm going to need a bald cap and a half wig to pull this off. I've never tried a bald cap, and I've seen what happens when people do a really bad job with them.

Anyone have some suggestions about good bald caps to use and good makeup techniques to make it seamless?

Also, how it'll work with my hair, which is a bit longer than shoulder length?

 

[MaulWalker]

While I haven't used one yet, Michael Davy's WATERMELON is supposed to be a great bald cap. You blend the edge in with alcohol.

Since you will be using a half wig, smooth the hair away from your face. (Hair gel is your friend.) In the back, use bobby pins to make pin curls. Put the bald cap on over the pin curls.

Lynn

 

[PadawanLearner]

There was a Youtube link someone did in a thread in here about someone wanting to make a Pennywise costume. It was some Backyard FX special about how to make your own bald cap. It looked pretty dang easy and looks a lot better than any I've seen off the shelf, that's including the bigger names like Meron or Woochie.

 

[thegreatgalling]

I have seen some youtube videos about proper application. I think the trick is getting a good one, and not a cheapy one, and then applying liquid latex with a sponge over the seams. When it dries, you then cover the liquid latex and the front of the cap with some makeup to match your skin.

 

[thegreatgalling]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqB2B4fcA4E

This is a tutorial about making a baldcap with liquid latex and a foam wig display head:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pat8SS06-0M

 

[piehead]

i would get hold of a "redhead" head form its a plastic form used for bald cap making and pretty cheap. then airbrush around 10 to 15 coats of "baldies" or even better "superbaldies" (available from mouldlife in the u.k. or motion picture f.x. in the u.s.a.) bald cap plastic over it. for a touhger cap just powder between layers with talc. these caps are tough but stretchy and the edges dissolved away with alcohol. we use them a lot and its a great encapsulant for silicone gel prosthetics too.

 

[Ghostsoldier]

There was a Youtube link someone did in a thread in here about someone wanting to make a Pennywise costume. It was some Backyard FX special about how to make your own bald cap. It looked pretty dang easy and looks a lot better than any I've seen off the shelf, that's including the bigger names like Meron or Woochie.

That would be me. The Watermelon bald cap idea has merit, but for Pennywise (who has a bulging crown), it's probably not going to work....the Backyard video method does seem to be the best choice for my particular application, if modified. :cool

i would get hold of a "redhead" head form its a plastic form used for bald cap making and pretty cheap. then airbrush around 10 to 15 coats of "baldies" or even better "superbaldies" (available from mouldlife in the u.k. or motion picture f.x. in the u.s.a.) bald cap plastic over it. for a touhger cap just powder between layers with talc. these caps are tough but stretchy and the edges dissolved away with alcohol. we use them a lot and its a great encapsulant for silicone gel prosthetics too.

Piehead...do you have any links for that "redhead" bald cap head form? All I can find are styrofoam units (which I'm assuming won't work); the Pennywise bald cap I'm trying to build will have to be a layered, possibly silicone-gel appliance, and I would like to make it substantial enough to re-use in the future.
Thanks,
Rob

 

[piehead]

this is a redhead albeit from a u.k. supplier. motion picture f.x. , monstermakers or alcone would be able to get them or have them in stock i would have thought though. very useful. i would lightly sand the seam line flat too. they are a vynil material that pretty much self release the cap.

 

[Ghostsoldier]

Piehead...is there supposed to be a photo attached? I don't see anything....:confused
Rob

 

[piehead]

mmm. sorry the link didnt show up...will try again....http://www.makeupeffects.co.uk/acatalog/copy_of_Bald_Cap_Making_Material.html

 

[Ghostsoldier]

Thanks, piehead....that's perfect! :thumbsup

You can see the appliance on Tim Curry's head here:

That's what I'm trying to replicate....
Rob

 

[Killdnaction]

Well Indy Mogul has a great tutorial on how to make your own from scratch and for cheap.

http://www.indymogul.com/backyardfx/episode/BFX_20091109/bald-caps-diy-tutorial-backyard-fx

 

[Miana]

Thanks for all the suggestions, guys!