The world of special effects may seem like a daunting one to enter, you may think that there’s no possible way you can afford the fake blood, scar wax, or other supplies needed for it. Although many people may spend thousands of dollars on special effects supplies don’t let that stop you because there are so many ways you can still do it without spending so much.

“Yes I think it would be an expensive thing, maybe around 80 dollars a month. But I don’t think the cost would stop me- it’s more about actually being able to do it.” Said Junior Maryah Carrasco when asked what she estimated the cost for a special effects makeup look to be.

Many people don’t even attempt to try special effects makeup due to the fear of failure, but I’m here to tell you its far from as scary as you think.

So, I’m going to explain the most basic element of special effect:  its as simple as scars. A scar is likely the easiest thing you will ever do, it’s even easier then the winged liner you’ve most likely done at least once in your life. I know your probably thinking there’s no way its as easy as I’m making it seem, but if you follow these steps you’ll be making scars like a pro in no time.

The first thing you’ll want to do is take a thin brush similar to the one you would use on your eyebrows and put a thick dark red line with eyeshadow across where you want your scar to be. You can do this as many times as you want on the areas where you want your scars to be placed.

Next, you’ll take a dull red and gently go over the line you just made with a small fluffy brush to blend out the harsh line. You’ll do this directly over the line you just made as many times as you would like until the scar looks more natural on your skin.

Then, you need to take a light brown shade with a small detail brush to delicately go over the line you just made to create the illusion of a shadow on the scar. Then take an even lighter brown with a small fluffy brush and go over the line of brown you made to blend it out like you just did before with the red.

Lastly, place some setting powder over the scar to make it look more aged and faded like most scars do with age. Brush the leftover setting powder from the scar with the same brush you would use for blush normally.

“It’s actually so much easier then it looks, like it’s just a lot of layering versus what I thought it would be. You know- like sticky stuff all over and things like that,” said Junior Princey Gaxiola the model for the scar.

When simplified and explained correctly special effects makeup is no near as hard as it may appear to be. It may take a few tries but if your really determined anyone can learn how to do at least the simplest parts of FX makeup in no time without spending so much.