How to Make a Fake Wound: 3 Easy Methods

Making fake wounds and cuts is surprisingly easy and only requires a few household products and some creativity. In this article, we’ll teach you how to create fake cuts and wounds with glue, Vaseline, or liquid latex. Plus, we even interviewed expert makeup artist Nini Efia Yang for tips on creating realistic fake wounds, so keep reading!

How to Make an Easy Fake Wound: Quick Steps

Paint school glue onto your arm and place a piece of tissue paper on top of it. Use tweezers to cut through the paper to create a gouge. Then, color the paper to match your skin with a liquid foundation, and use eyeshadow to add dimension.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Making a Fake Wound with Glue

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1
Tear 2 pieces of toilet paper slightly larger than the size you want your wound. The paper will act like the skin of the cut and serve as the overall foundation of the wound. ^{[1]
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Research source} Once you have the size of paper you need, tear another section to match, so you have 2 nearly identical pieces.
- For example, if you’re making a wound on your hand, you may only need half of one square of toilet paper. For larger wounds, you may need two or three squares.
- Tissue paper, such as Kleenex, also works. But it’s best to use tissue paper with no design or markings as these could appear in the final product.
2
Paint glue onto the area of the skin where you want to make your wound. Pour a bit of skin-safe glue onto some wax paper or into a cup. Then, using a paintbrush or makeup brush, paint your skin with a thin layer of glue. ^{[2]
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- Use enough glue so the toilet paper can stick firmly to the area but not enough to where glue drips down your skin.
- Yang recommends using Elmer’s school glue as it’s non-toxic, safe to put on the skin, and easy to remove. ^{[3]
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  Expert Source
  
  Nini Efia Yang
  Makeup Artist
  
  Expert Interview. 27 August 2019.}
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3
Apply the paper onto the painted area of the skin. While the glue is still wet, lay the first layer of toilet or tissue paper on your skin. Press down firmly to ensure the paper sticks. Then, paint another layer of glue over the paper and apply the second piece of paper. ^{[4]
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- Two layers is standard for this type of fake wound, but adding more paper helps give the wound more depth. If you want to create a deeper cut or gash, add 3 to 5 layers of paper and glue.
4
Paint the edges of the paper with glue to secure it in place. Allow the layers of glued paper to dry on your skin. Then, go in with another layer of glue around the edges of the paper. Work your brush and glue to flatten the edges so they blend into your skin. This will help the wound look more realistic. ^{[5]
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- Pro tip: Use a hairdryer to help the glue dry faster.
5
Apply a liquid foundation to the edges of the paper and your skin. To make the wound look real, blend the paper into your skin by painting it with foundation. Use a foundation that matches your skin tone for the best results. ^{[6]
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- Pro tip: Use a flat foundation brush for this step to evenly distribute the foundation.
6
Cut and tear the paper to create an opening for the wound. Take a pair of scissors or tweezers and cut a hole or gash into the center of the paper. This will be the opening of your fake wound or cut. Use your fingers to arrange and tear the paper further. ^{[7]
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- Get creative with how you tear or cut the paper! You can cut a straighter line for a cleaner, gash-like wound or opt for something more random to represent a zombie or animal bite.
- Be careful while cutting. It’s best to cut just a little slit to create an opening in the paper, then tear and peel the rest of it with your fingers.
- Don’t remove the torn tissue paper from the area. This extra paper will help give your wound a peeling look and add more depth.
7
Color in the wound with eyeshadow. Now it’s time to get creative! Use eyeshadow and a makeup brush to color in the remaining paper. Think about what a wound would really look like on your skin. Would it bruise? Would it be green, blue, or even red? Use gentle, dabbing strokes to apply the makeup to avoid tearing the paper further.
- For a basic wound, fill the area closest to the tear with a pink or red shadow. Then, blend a dark purple and/or blue around the edges. Throw in a bit of green and yellow to mimic bruising .
- For a zombie bite, have fun with zombie-like colors! Mix blue and green around the wound with earthy silvers and grays. Add a bit of purple and red to represent burst blood vessels.
- Extend the coloring as far as you’d like. You can keep the shadow contained to just near the wound, or you can blend it out to where you brushed on foundation.
- Not sure how to color your wound or cut? Cautiously look up reference photos from your favorite movies or TV shows.
8
Put fake blood in the wound. Once you’re satisfied with the coloring of your wound, pour or drip in some fake blood. Focus the blood inside the paper tear, then use a paintbrush or makeup brush to move it around to your liking. ^{[8]
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- Add as much or as little blood as you like! Just remember that you can always add more, but you can’t as easily remove blood.
- To make the blood drips look real, apply a few drops to an area and then let it run downward. For example, if you made a gash on your arm, apply the blood to the top of the wound and then let your arm hang naturally to allow the blood to trickle down. ^{[9]
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- Don’t have fake blood on hand? Try making your own with corn syrup or flour.
- To remove the fake wound, gently peel away the tissue paper and wash your skin with makeup remover and/or soap.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Making a Fake Wound with Vaseline

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1
Apply a layer of Vaseline to where you want the fake wound to be. With your finger, spread a thick layer of petroleum jelly or Vaseline on your skin. The thicker the layer, the more swollen the wound or cut will look. Once applied, use your finger to blend out and smooth the edges of the Vaseline into your skin. ^{[10]
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- This method works best for creating smaller wounds.
- To make the Vaseline more paste-like, mix it with some baby powder to give it more structure and moldability. Essentially, this makes DIY scar wax. ^{[11]
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2
Draw a line in the Vaseline with a toothpick to create a cut. Use a toothpick to gently carve a line out of the center of the Vaseline. This creates an open wound effect.
- If you’re going for a stabbed effect, make the line a little uneven, but keep it relatively thin.
- If you’re going for a larger cut or gash, carve a larger area that’s a bit wider.
- Pro tip: If you don’t have a toothpick, use a dull pencil.
3
Color in the wound with eyeshadow. Let the Vaseline dry for about 5 to 10 minutes. Then, use an eyeshadow or makeup brush to apply color to the inside and surrounding areas of the fake wound. Use dabbing rather than swiping motions to keep the Vaseline intact.
- Use a darker shade of brown or gray in the center of the cut to add depth.
- At the edges, use a light pink/peach tone to blend the edges of the wound to your actual skin tone.
- Use red and brown shadows around the center to make the wound look fresher.
- For a more bruised look, Yang suggests blending blue and yellow eyeshadows. ^{[12]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Nini Efia Yang
  Makeup Artist
  
  Expert Interview. 27 August 2019.}
4
Apply red lip gloss or fake blood to the center of the wound. To complete your spooky fake wound or cut, consider adding a bit of blood. Dab some red lip gloss to the center of the wound for a subtle look, or drip some fake blood into the center and allow it to ooze out over your skin for a more drastic look. ^{[13]
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- To remove the fake wound, wipe the Vaseline off with a towel or tissue paper, then rinse off the eyeshadow and fake blood with makeup remover or water and soap.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Making a Fake Wound with Latex

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1
Brush liquid latex onto your skin. Shake the bottle of liquid latex. Then, begin applying it to where you want your wound to be with a brush or makeup sponge. ^{[14]
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- Liquid latex can be messy and tricky to use. Try to paint it on evenly, and don't rush. Though liquid latex dries fairly quickly, apply it as smoothly as possible.
- Yang describes liquid latex like Elmer’s glue. It’s easy to apply, dries clear like regular school glue, and peels off super easily. ^{[15]
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  Expert Source
  
  Nini Efia Yang
  Makeup Artist
  
  Expert Interview. 27 August 2019.}
- Keep in mind that liquid latex can tear out your hair, so shave the area you want to apply it to avoid this. ^{[16]
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2
Place tissue paper over the latex immediately. Press the tissue paper down on the latex right after you paint it onto your skin. Liquid latex dries pretty quickly, so work in smaller sections rather than one large area for the best results. ^{[17]
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- Pro tip: If there are areas that don’t stick to the latex, simply tear them away. This can also give your wound a tattered, gnawed effect.
3
Apply at least one more layer of latex and tissue paper. The more layers you add, the thicker your fake wound will be. Brush on more latex on or around the tissue paper you previously added, then press another piece of paper on top of the newly applied latex. Keep adding more latex and paper until you’re satisfied with the wound’s size and height. ^{[18]
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- Pro tip: Rub and tear the tissue paper so it doesn’t look symmetrical for a more realistic look.
4
Cut into the center of the paper with tweezers. Create an open wound or gouge by plucking or tearing the tissue paper open with tweezers. Have fun with the size, shape, and direction of the cut! ^{[19]
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- Leave the torn paper to peel back to give your wound the effect of the skin peeling away.
- Pro tip: If you don’t like how the cut turns out, add more latex and another layer of tissue paper and try again.
5
Apply liquid foundation to the edges of the tissue paper. Blend the tissue paper into your skin by applying a liquid foundation the same color as your skin tone. Smooth the foundation out gently with your fingers or a sponge, bringing it to the center of the wound near the cut. ^{[20]
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- Rub the surrounding skin area with your finger to blend the foundation out further.
6
Fill in the wound with eyeshadow and fake blood . Now, all that’s left to do is color in your wound! Use eyeshadow and a makeup brush to color the wound and surrounding area. Focus darker shades in the middle of the wound and work your way out. Then, if you’d like, drip some fake blood in the center for a gory look. ^{[21]
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- Have fun with the colors of your wound, and get creative! For instance, a vampire bite might be very red with white circular rings, while a stab wound from an alien may turn green, purple, or blue.
- To remove this fake wound, gently peel away the liquid latex and paper and wash with soap. ^{[22]
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Expert Q&A

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Question

What can you do to make a black eye using makeup?

Nini Efia Yang
Makeup Artist
Nini Efia Yang is a Makeup Artist based in San Francisco, California. She is the Owner of Nini's Epiphany, a makeup and hair studio. Nini’s Epiphany offers makeup and hair styling services for clients, and also perform permanent brow and lash procedures. They also perform special event styling services, including features like custom lashes, bridal hairstyles, airbrush makeup, bridal makeup trials, and makeup and hair changes for receptions. The company is also known for their classes, where they teach customers in personal or group settings how to improve their makeup and hair abilities. Nini has over 10 years of experience in the industry, and specializes in bridal makeup. Her work has been featured in Ceremony Magazine, They So Loved, and Wedding Window.

Nini Efia Yang

Makeup Artist

Expert Answer

Look at a Halloween store for special effects makeup. Pick up some yellowish, purplish colors, and maybe some green. Prime the area with liquid foundation and set it with powder to give it some grip. Then apply the color! I like to search for a photo of a black eye and copy it to get a realistic look.

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Are fake wounds useful for teaching first aid?

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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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Yes. Many first aid instructors like to use fake wounds to make the learning experience more realistic. Students will have an easier time recognizing real injuries and treating them appropriately if they’ve worked with realistic fake wounds. It can also help reduce their discomfort with treating real injuries.

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Can you make a fake wound with flour?

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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Yes, you can use flour and water to make a simple dough that mimics the texture of skin or scar tissue. Mix 1 cup (130 g) of flour with 1 cup (237 mL) of water with a pinch of salt and a tablespoon (15 ml) of oil. Stir these ingredients over heat until you achieve a doughy consistency. You can put this “skin” wherever you like on your body, and wet it slightly to make it smooth. Add makeup to create a realistic skintone. If you want to make a cut, carefully make a slit in the dough and pour on a little fake blood!

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