How to Zombie Make up by Colleen Audrey

By Holly Nordeck

October 19, 2016

Holly Nordeck is the creative and public engagement assistant in the department of learning and engagement at the Denver Art Museum. Her favorite exhibition at the museum was Jeffrey Gibson: Like a Hammer, which was on view in 2018.

Note: Enter our Power of Costume contest and you could be one of the FIRST to see Star Wars™ and the Power of Costume. Contest ends Friday, Nov. 4, 2016. May the Force be with you!

Getting ready for the Denver Zombie Crawl or Halloween? Check out Colleen Audrey's tutorial (slide show of photos below) on how to make yourself look like the undead.

Supplies needed to build zombie flesh: lash glue; cotton balls; green, purple, and black eyeshadow; and red lipstick.

If you're planning on dressing up for Untitled Final Friday, keep in mind that full face paint is not allowed. So zombie makeup is out. But we've got other tips for Halloween costumes.

Moisturize the skin. While your skin is hydrating, start pulling apart your cotton balls to create flat thin layers.
Use your finger to spread a thin layer of lash glue on to your cheek and around your orbital bone—avoid your eyebrows! While the glue is still wet, stick on the pulled apart cotton balls.
To create a more flesh-like feel, add another layer of lash glue. While it is still wet you can use tooth picks to move the glued cotton around on the face, creating lacerations or teeth marks.
Once the glue has dried you can cover the cotton and lash glue with foundation. Try going one shade lighter than your skin. Then, use eye shadow to create a rotted look with the greens, purple, and black shades.
Use your red lipstick and put some into your zombie skin to give a bloody look to your design.
Place dark eyeshadow under your eyes and on top of the lid, darken the lips, and you’re done!

Colleen Audrey will conduct demos in the Costume Studio in March and April.

make up supplies — Supplies needed to build zombie flesh: lash glue, cotton balls, green, purple, black eyeshadow, red lipstick

Pull apart your cotton balls to create flat thin layers

Use your finger to spread a thin layer of lash glue on to your cheek and around your orbital bone—avoid your eyebrows! While the glue is still wet, stick on the pulled apart cotton balls.

Once the glue has dried you can cover the cotton and lash glue with foundation. Try going one shade lighter than your skin.

Use eye shadow to create a rotted look with the greens, purple, and black shades.

zombie makeup on artist Colleen Audrey — Use red lipstick and put some into your zombie skin to give a bloody look to your design.