Bald Cap Research

 

Bald Cap Research:

Applying bald caps:

Steps (Graftobian, No Date):

• ·         Prep the hair by coming the hair as flat as possible away from the forehead, water can be used to make the hair flat and styling gel can be used if water is not enough to make the hair smooth. Very long hair should be pulled into a low ponytail which will come through the bottom of the bald cap and can be tucked into the back of your clothing.
• ·         Position the bald cap on the head, if the cap lays across the middle of the forehead it won’t need trimming but if it does need trimming, mark a line with a makeup pencil and trim, the cap will look more realistic if the edge follows a natural forehead wrinkle.
• ·         With a sharp pair of scissors trim the front of the bald cap, making sure the edge is still thin. Make a line just below the top of the ear to near the earlobe.
• ·         Trim following the lines and around the ears, trim the sides and back of the neck if needed but leave at least half an inch to allow enough room to attach it to the skin.
• ·         Apply a half inch strip of spirit gum to the skin where the edge of the cap will be, once tacky roll the edge of the cap onto the spirit gum and stick any lose edges down with more spirit gum.
• ·         Apply 2-3 thin layers of latex over the edges to blend the edges into the skin.
• ·         Once the latex is dry, powder the whole cap with loose powder to prevent the cap sticking to itself then brush away excess powder.

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Tips for applying bald caps: (Graftobian, No Date) (Movie Makeup by Makeup Dr Shari, 2011)

• ·         ProAdhesive can be used to create a stronger bond
• ·         Tilt the head upwards slightly when gluing the back and sides of the cap as this will help prevent wrinkles but not too much as this will stretch the cap
• ·         Tame baby hairs to prevent them getting stuck in the glue
• ·         Use a hair dryer to dry the gelled hair to help it stay in place
• ·         Make the edges uneven when trimming the bald cap as it helps trick the eye and helps it look more realistic when blending the edges
• ·         Apply a layer of latex over the whole bald cap to create texture
• ·         It is best applied by 2 people

There are also YouTube videos such as the one created by a channel called "Freakmo" and others by creators such as "Jaclyn Forbes" but the steps I found on Graftobian were my preferred source. 

Painting bald caps:

Bald caps can be painted with anything from grease to alcohol paints, for film and TV alcohol and grease paints are best as they won’t be affected by water as much as aqua paints. Stipple the paint to create the natural mottled effect that skin has, a light layer of blue and red is needed to create the natural undertones of skin. Blending the paint into the skin gives a more natural appearance and helps cover any edges. If grease paints are used, then powder between each layer to set each layer.

Adding things to bald caps:

Bald caps can be used “for baldness, clowning, masquerade uses (such as skulls) as well as special effects and monster makeup” (Graftobian, No Date). They can be used to add burns, brains, fake hair, and they can be used for character makeups. Wax cannot be used to add things to bald caps as it may melt if it becomes too hot and due to the materials the wax wouldn't stick to the bald cap properly, silicone also cannot be used on latex as it will cause the latex to break down and deteriorate. 

Some films where bald caps have been used: (ShortList, 2011)

• ·         Tropic Thunder – Tom Cruise as Les Grossman – Makeup Artist: Margaret Prentice
• ·         Iron Man – Jeff Bridges as Iron Monger
• ·         Kingpin – Woody Harrelson as Roy Munson – Makeup Artist: Gino Crognale
• ·         Superman - Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor
• ·         Se7en - Kevin Spacey as John Doe – Makeup Artist: Rob Bottin
• ·         Hitman - Timothy Olyphant as Agent 47
• ·         Batman and Robin - Arnold Schwarzenegger as Mr Freeze – Makeup Artist: Jeff Dawn
• ·         Daredevil - Colin Farrell as Bullseye – Makeup Artist: Kris Kobzina
• ·         Reign of Fire - Matthew Mcconaughey as Denton Van Zan – Makeup Artist: Kevin Murnane
• ·         Star Trek: The Motion Picture - Persis Khambatta as Ilia Makeup Artist: Rick Stratton
• ·         The Witches – Anne Hathaway as The Grand Master Witch – Makeup Artist: Aurora Beadle

Bibliography:

Graftobian (No Date) Graftobian’s Bald Cap Kit Instructions Available at: https://www.graftobian.com/education/special-fx-makeup-tutorials/bald-cap-kit-instructions/ (Accessed: 16^th November 2020)

YouTube – Freakmo (2015) How to Apply and Paint a Plastic Bald Cap Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dp7SCpHLr6A (Accessed: 16^th November 2020)

YouTube – Jaclyn Forbes (2019) How To Apply + Paint A Bald Cap (SFX Makeup Tutorial) Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnzdeMj-YyA (Accessed: 16^th November 2020) 

Movie Makeup by Makeup Dr Shari (2011) 31 Days of Halloween Makeup – Day 5: 10 Tips For Applying a Bald Cap Available at: https://makeupdrshari.wordpress.com/2011/10/05/31-days-of-halloween-makeup-day-5-10-tips-for-applying-a-bald-cap/ (Accessed: 16^th November 2020)

ShortList (2011) When Actors Bald Up Available at: https://www.shortlist.com/news/when-actors-bald-up (Accessed: 16^th November 2020)