Rocket Raccoon - Makeup question

[wolff1066]

Hi all,

My daughter wants to be Rocket Raccoon for Halloween. I am totally down for making the outfit and props. What has me befuddled is the makeup.

I was trying to think of the best way to make her a raccoon, that preferably doesn't involve a mask (she won't like wearing it) and is pretty simple. She will be happy with just about anything, because she is 5. I have seen people doing makeup with fur or hair where they hold it up to the skin, and paint some kind of adhesive over the end of the strand that holds it on. Covered with makeup afterward it looks like it's growing out of the skin. What is this product? I figured I could find some long furry "hairs" somewhere? (where?) And then I could just make the cheek fur and forehead fur sticking out into the general raccoon shape, and paint her face to blend into that. (And then I need the same fur for ears and tail.) I have worked a little with real fur but never fake stuff and don't know where to start. My only other idea was a hood that she could wear, but I wouldn't know how to shape the fake fur on that or where to buy fake fur from.

I know almost nothing about makeup so I need some help. Any ideas will be appreciated. Even if it's totally different from the "glue some hair on her face" idea.

TIA!

 

[Meta440]

Im sure that you could go to any makeup/halloween store and buy a makeup kit and just paint the details......there is enough if you look at a pic of rocket that you could feather and add the contrasting whites and browns.

 

[DRG]

I have seen people doing makeup with fur or hair where they hold it up to the skin, and paint some kind of adhesive over the end of the strand that holds it on. Covered with makeup afterward it looks like it's growing out of the skin. What is this product?

I believe you're thinking of spirit gum. I've played with the stuff before, but I wouldn't recommend it for a 5 year old though. It adheres strong and can be tough to remove.

 

[Nagano]

When I was her age I was Teen Wolf for Halloween. My mom had gotten some fur and spirit gum from the costume/makeup store and applied it a bit at time. Looked real enough, the sprit gum was kinda messy though. On the other hand, my wife just did a Rocket Cosplay and just used some black makeup around her eyes. Ive also seen some other clever things done with just makeup. Ill see if I can find some pics...



The first one is my wife, like I said just a simple makeup job, black around the eyes, and black lipstick. The 2nd pic is where she got some inspiration, but we ultimately didn't have the right kind of makeup do the white bit. The 3rd pic, I just thought was pretty cool, and a cool way to interpret the makeup.

 

[cborchardt82]

I used spirit gum for my sons wolverines beard scruff. He was 5 at the time. His face didn't get sensitive but you should always test 1st. apply a little. leave on 20 minutes (remove sooner if it turns red) then remove it using spirit gum remover. Do not skimp on the remover, its very sticky without it. If after 24 hours no rash, they should be ok.
What I did was do it sections at a time, start from the bottom and work your way up if the hair is facing down, if you want it outward facing away from her nose, start from the far end and work your way towards her nose, or else you will have an aweful time trying not to sticky up your fur. do a small section in rows, lay on spirit gum, once it gets a little tacky (about 8-10 seconds, dab it with your pinky to check, it should be a little sticky)thats when you stick it. In the 8-10 seconds you have while its getting sticky, take your fur, brush it and use your fingers to grasp the fur and cut it like you would a childs hair. It should be done in sections no bigger than 1 inch wide and not super thick, which is tempting when you want to get it done. without letting go, lay it on your daughters face in the direction you want to fur to be facing. push it down with a clean finger. some fur will come off, its ok, wait a minute, then start above that area (or to the side of it) and repeat. it sounds confusing, but if you watch a video on youtube by stan winston character arts about laying beard hair down, it will really help you out with the fur. Also letting her see the progress with a small mirror every once and a while really makes them excited and helps with the time it takes. If I can find it, Ill add the link. It took me over an hour but that was doing alot of hair and it was my first time. If you are wanting to add a little bit of fur, its not a big deal and should be quick. If you want to find fur, online or at a hobby shop, you can buy furry fabric and cut of what you need. Use that same fabric for the airs and tail. You can find a brown fur that will work, then if you dont have an airbrush you can paint on black stripes using diluted acrylic paint, or buy black fur for the contrast you need.

 

[wolff1066]

I believe you're thinking of spirit gum. I've played with the stuff before, but I wouldn't recommend it for a 5 year old though. It adheres strong and can be tough to remove.

Ahh. Thanks. I don't want do anything that will make her uncomfortable. Good to know the answer for future applications though!

cborchardt82 and Nagano thank you so much for all that data!!

Whatever I end up doing I'll post on the boards I guess

 

[KayleeJade]

I've worn a lot of spirit gum over the years and I'd recommend not using it on a 5 y/o. I have a little girl who is five and she can't have fingernail polish on for 10 minutes without picking at it, I don't want to even think about trying to get her to sit still long enough to apply the hair let alone not try to play with it. I would also caution using heavy make up, especially if you have new light colored carpet. I had a brother decide to rub off black and blue Batman makeup on the carpet.
But you know your child the best, if there is any doubt, I suggest a test run.


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[ahoudini]

Face paint all the way. Snazaroo brand is really good. Spirit gum and hair will be torture for both of you. The fur hoody (with added ears) is not a bad idea, though. Get (or dye) a cheap brown cotton hoody and sew or hot glue fake fur from the fabric store onto the outside, adding ear shapes as you go. Jo Ann's fabrics usually has a nice two-toned brown/black.