Let’s get a little weird, shall we? Special effects makeup or FX makeup allows artists to transform models or themselves into any character the imagination cooks up. With keen attention to detail and expert techniques honed with countless hours of practice, makeup artists can do it all. They use, not only makeup, but also prosthetics, props, sculptural elements, and more to achieve their goals.
We decided to take a closer look at the world of FX makeup to discover what looks MUA’s (makeup artists) have created recently. We can report that these talented individuals continue to push the envelope and make things that seem impossible a reality. From whimsical characters to scenes of bodily harm, we found all manner of makeup looks to share with you. We want to warn you before you proceed, however, that some of these images are disturbing. We know it’s “just makeup” but some of it is honestly scary. So, brace yourself! Here are 25 special FX makeup transformations that you need to see to believe.
Enchanting
This horned thing reminds us of Pan’s Labyrinth. However, the artist who shared it did not provide a caption with many clues. They used the word “enchanted” to describe the look. We’re a touch more disturbed than enchanted, but we deeply appreciate the skill on display here.
Neon Skull
This rainbow, neon calavera reveal is more beautiful than dreadful. It looks like a pure celebration with vibrant colors and plenty of sparkling stones. We love the way the artist has employed teardrop-shaped stones around the mouth.
Meow
Is this the darker Cats remake no one asked for? Here, we find a Sphynx ready for a lovely stroll through Victorian London. We don’t know why and we don’t care! This is incredible.
Ringleader
Fancy a trip to the circus? The magnificent colors here mask the fact that this is utterly terrifying. The eyes, alone, are enough to make you lose sleep. We’d like a refund, Ringling Bros.
Fall to Pieces
Don’t forget to moisturize or… This incredible look was created by taking a mold of a face sculpting it and then shattering it and reapplying over a mossy canvas. This is so insanely well-done and a fully realized concept.
Gremlin
We think the Gremlin wearing makeup in The Gremlins is named Greta. Don’t feed your Mogwai after midnight or you’ll wake up looking like this.
Dolled Up
This is not the wildest look on this list but it is deeply unsettling. There’s something so uncanny here that makes us want to scream.
Weak-Chinned
Mondays, am I right? This gruesome look makes it appear as if this person’s chin has been blown off. Don’t forget to floss!
Fawn
Serve Bambi-realness with a baby deer-inspired look like this one. The tiny antlers are a cute touch here but it’s the amazing shading that wins the day.
Dobby
People can’t seem to get enough Harry Potter, for better or worse, and this attempt at a Dobby transformation is mostly successful. We’re glad this person only went half-Dobby and not full-Dobby.
Can I Borrow a Charger?
This person has transformed their face into a floating ribbon that would make MC Escher proud. A phone charger or two is threaded throughout to create this fascinating and weird look.
Smile
It looks like this person has made great use of the humble toothpick. What if a man told a woman to smile and then this happened instead?
Queen of the Sea
The artist who completed this stunning look wrote that she was inspired by mermaids for this Queen of the Sea look. The glossy-looking skin color paired with all of the rainbow gems make this look super cool.
Skull Girl
This cartoonish skeleton look is mesmerizing. Pink and green contrast beautifully here and give this morbid look a punch.
Carved Up
Please excuse us while we go pass out. The artist who created this look explained that she sculpted wax and plastic to give the 3D effect. This just might be the creepiest look on this list.
Alien Fantasy
James Cameron, look out because this person’s nailed an Avatar look without the aid of CGI. This glowing fantasy look is complete with pointy ears. We’re into it!
Coraline
This Coraline-inspired look is pure nightmare fuel. The artist has blacked out her neck and much of her lower face to make her head seem like it’s not necessarily attached to her body.
Two-Faced
This black and white face is masquerading in a world of color. We don’t entirely understand the concept here but a grey face underneath a normal one seems terrifying.
Glass Face
If you’d like to look as if crystals are coming through your skin, you could do no better than this very bizarre look that involves prosthetics. The bruised illusion is very good here and helps make this look even more painful.
Complete Me
This Sally-meets-Jack look inspired by The Nightmare Before Christmas is equal parts interesting and unnerving. The artist has taken the brief and gone for a more human-looking version of both characters which results in sheer terror.
Is There Something in my Teeth?
God save the queen! No really! God, save this queen! The concept behind this look is “Vampire Queen” according to the artist and, we must say, this is a very original-looking vampire.
Dragon Eyes
Someone forgot to wash her face before she went to bed. No, we find a pair of fierce pair of dragon eyes that utilize plastics to help them stand off the face. We love the feathered makeup around the eyes that make them look even deeper and blended in.
Barb
Barb from Beetlejuice looks crustier than ever before in this fun look. Such sad eyes on this one.
Merry Christmas
At least the last look featured sad eyes and not peeled ones. This very creative Christmas look imagines the eyelids pierced by an ornament hook and pulled down. Ouch!
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Cat Lady
Did you guess that there would be more than one Sphynx on this list? Here, we find a mummified cat, because, why not? This expertly sculpted face is almost too much to bear. Also, the inside of the ears… It’s too real!
There you go! From fun to freaky, we hope you enjoyed each on of these creative FX makeup looks. We also hope you’re inspired to try some weird stuff on your own. Chances are that you’re stuck inside so why not?