Makeup and Thrift Stores: Biggest bang for your buck

Violet did a lot of everything on the production. From handling production design to hair, makeup & wardrobe, she was always finding creative ways to add value within our limited resources. Here, she talks about one particularly challenging scene with Agnes. These are excerpts from Violet’s blog, University of You.

by Violeta Reina

For this scene in Chutes & Ladders, the hair was kept pretty simple, a thin braid that started on one side and wrapped around to the other. I’m lucky to have a friend (Ella Maria) who is an amazing Hair Dresser that I can call up before a shoot and make sure I am fully prepared.

Violet applying bruises and cuts

Cuts and bruises have always been one of my favorite things. I am pretty clumsy myself, so I generally have plenty of real life samples to base my work on. I watched some tutorials a few days before this particular shoot, but I didn’t really find anything that was different from what I was already doing. I also searched for images I liked of fake bruises. If you can stomach it, I recommend searching for images of real ones too.

I used Ben Nye’s Cuts and Bruise Wheel, layering on the blue and red tones with a nylon stippling sponge. Layering the two helps create the uneven purple tone found in real bruises, pale in some areas and almost green in others. I went back in with a little extra red to create fresh scratches and a little yellow in the center to make it look a bit swollen. I used a basic translucent powder to set it, also from Ben Nye. Brushes won’t work here, bruises call for velour powder puffs so you can really press it into the skin. A little stage blood and in our case, a little bit of dirt and ashes, and you are ready to go.

Kick Ass Agnes

The costume was a lot of fun to work on too. The vest started as an ugly puffy vest with fur trim on the hood (Think JLo circa P. Diddy). I promptly removed the trim and sewed the hood back together. I also wanted to add a little edge but had to find a way to do it cheaply. Taking a bit of inspiration from Project Runway a few seasons ago, I purchased the longest black zipper I could find, and broke it apart. 2 dollars well spent to add a metal trim up the front of the vest.

My favorite part however was the belt. I cleared out the rack of belts at the local thrift store. Four black belts, some with broken parts, were fasted together into this giant mega belt. To save time, I ditched the task of sewing through leather, and went straight for my card hole puncher. I snuck into my husbands desk and stole a few of the little brass fasteners used for scripts. Turns out, they are great for fastening pretty much anything. I was pretty pleased with the overall look of the final product. I think she is ready to kick some ass, don’t you?