DIY Soot Costume Makeup Using Charred Cork
For Halloween characters who appear coated in soot—like chimney sweeps, firefighters, soldiers, or burn victims—ordinary face paint or dark eye makeup often fails to capture the gritty, dark gray look of real soot. Burning a bottle cork and applying the charred remains can produce that effect.
By Harper Mitchell3 steps
Soot is a fitting accessory for a chimney sweep costume
When planning a Halloween costume that calls for a soot-covered appearance—whether you're going as a chimney sweep, a firefighter, a soldier, or a burn victim—you'll want to achieve that grimy look. The problem is that typical face paint or dark eye makeup tends to lack the dark gray, grainy quality that real soot has. A burned cork, however, can provide it.
Step 1
Using the tongs, hold the cork above the tray. Any ashes that fall will land on the tray, and if the cork slips from your grip, the tray will catch it as well.
Step 2
Apply the lighter to one end of the cork until that end becomes charred. Place the cork on the tray and allow it to cool.
Step 3
Take the charred cork and rub it wherever you want soot to appear. As you rub, the soot transfers from the cork onto your skin.
