PERFECT POSTICHE – KRYOLAN FALSE HAIR

In the world of makeup and special effects, false beards and moustaches are essential tools for quick, dramatic transformations. Whether for theatre, film, Halloween, or cosplay, a well-crafted facial hair piece can take a character from clean-cut to rugged or from mysterious to distinguished. Beyond the fun, false beards and moustaches offer an accessible way to explore different identities and eras without the commitment of growing and styling real hair.

Postiche – What’s that?

Facial postiche refers to any artificial facial hair used in makeup and costume design, such as false beards, moustaches, sideburns, and eyebrows. These pieces are meticulously crafted to mimic real hair, often made from human hair. They’re commonly applied using adhesives like spirit gum and are styled to match specific character needs or historical accuracy.

Hand Laced Facial Hair

Kryolan offers a wide range of beards and moustaches hand made to look realistic and perform like real hair, woven into a fine lace. The individual hairs are carefully hand-tied onto this lace, creating a natural look that mimics real facial hair growth. This technique is popular in film, theatre, and high-quality costume design, as the lace allows the hairpiece to be flexible and breathable, while the fine mesh becomes almost invisible on the skin.

Lace facial hair can be trimmed, styled, and even dyed to match a specific look or character. Since they’re made of human hair they can be styled with heat and typical products used for facial hair.  The lace is typically adhered to the face using spirit gum or other skin-safe adhesives, creating a seamless blend that moves naturally with the wearer's expressions. Since the lace is so lightweight and blends well with skin, lace facial hair is ideal for close-up shots in film, offering a high level of realism without needing extensive application time.

These are ideal for HD film of where a high level of realism is required.

Step-by-Step Application:

1. Prepare the Skin:
• Ensure the face is clean, dry, and free of oils. This will help the adhesive stick better and last longer.
• If possible, shave the area to create a smooth base.
2. Position the Beard:
• Hold the lace beard up to your face and position it to check for fit. Mark any areas that need trimming with a light pencil, if necessary.
3. Apply Adhesive:
• Using a small brush, apply a thin layer of spirit gum to the area where you’ll apply the beard. Tap the spirit gum until it feels tacky.
• Work in small areas, it’s best to start in the middle and work outwards by applying more spirit gum with the beard on the face. This ensures you won’t over apply the adhesive or accidently stick anything where it’s not supposed to be.
4. Attach the Beard:
• Starting at the chin or centre of the beard, gently press the lace onto the tacky area on your face.
• Work outward, pressing the lace onto your face and making sure it lies flat against the skin without any visible folds.
• Use tweezers for any fine adjustments, ensuring the lace lays evenly.
5. Blend the Edges:
• Once the beard is in place, blend the edges of the lace with a small amount of foundation or powder that matches your skin tone.
• Apply it lightly around the edges to reduce visibility and create a seamless look.
6. Final Touches:
• Trim any long or stray hairs if needed with fine-tipped scissors.
• Style the beard as desired by combing it into place. Use a moustache wax for a more precise or period style look.
7. Removal:
• When ready to remove, gently dab spirit gum remover onto the edges of the lace using a cotton swab or pad.
• Carefully peel off the beard, applying more remover as needed to avoid any pulling on the skin.
• The lace should be cleaned gently after every use with 99% Isopropyl Alcohol. If any adhesive is crusted into the lace, you can lay the beard on a towel and scrub gently over the area with the alcohol on a clean spooly.

Crepe Hair

For an inexpensive alternative and for the versatility of creating practically any style, there is crepe hair.

Made from tightly braided wool fibres, crepe hair is available in various colours and can be styled, trimmed, and shaped to suit different looks. It’s ideal for creating realistic textures due to its rough, natural appearance, and curl pattern created by the braided strands, which mimics the coarseness of actual facial hair.

When a straighter style is desired, you can soak the hair in boiling water and let it hand dry overnight or gently steam it straight right away.

Though generally used for more theatrical applications where realism is less important than impact, with practice any artist can become a pro at creating hyper-realistic facial hair even with synthetic fibres.

The hairs are also available in a wide array of colours from natural to fantasy.

Laying a Beard with Crepe Steps:

1. Preparation:
• Begin by choosing the right shade of crepe hair. You may need to blend multiple colours for a realistic look.
• Tease out the crepe hair by unbraiding and pulling it apart with your fingers or a comb, creating a fluffy texture that mimics natural hair.
• Pre-cut the crepe hair into small sections based on the area you’re working on (chin, moustache, cheeks).
2. Application of Adhesive:
• Apply a small amount of spirit gum to the area where you’ll lay the beard. Tap the spirit gum lightly until it becomes tacky.
• Work in small sections, starting from one side of the face to the other, or from the chin up, depending on the desired beard style.
3. Laying the Crepe Hair:
• Gently press the teased crepe hair into the tacky spirit gum, using a palette knife or your fingers to secure it. The hair should stick without excessive pressure.
• Layer small amounts at a time to avoid a bulky appearance and keep it looking natural.
• Continue this process, applying more adhesive and adding hair, working in the direction of natural beard growth (typically downwards).
4. Blending and Shaping:
• Once the beard is laid, use scissors to trim and shape the hair to your desired beard style.
• Blend the edges with powder or a small amount of foundation to match skin tone and give a seamless look.
• Optional: A light mist of hairspray can help set the hair in place.
5. Final Touches:
• Comb through the beard with a fine-toothed comb to style it as desired.
• Check for any sparse areas and add more hair if needed.
6. Removal:
• Use spirit gum remover on a cotton pad to gently dissolve the adhesive and safely remove the crepe hair without pulling on the skin.

With practice, you’ll be able to create a beard that looks quite realistic.

Mix and Match!

Combine Crepe and Laced Bears to completely customise your look!

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See you soon,

The Kryolan Education Team