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How to Make a Realistic Looking Beard

Authentic-looking beards complete the illusion of certain Halloween and theatrical costumes. Unfortunately, many beards sold in drug stores and seasonal costume shops are poorly made and may cheapen your character. Serious theatrical supply companies sell crepe wool, a product used to create realistic facial hair, and spirit gum, a prosthetic adhesive. Use these two products to make a convincing temporary beard.

Things You'll Need

  • Crepe wool
  • Towel
  • Hair dryer
  • Steam iron
  • Spirit gum
  • Hair scissors
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Instructions

    • 1

      Purchase crepe wool that matches your natural hair shade or your character wig.

    • 2

      Remove a braid of crepe wool from the package. Remove the twine holding the braid together. Pick apart and tease the braided fabric to create your desired hair texture.

    • 3

      Soak the wool in water for 30 seconds if you want to straighten the hair. Lay the wool on a towel to soak up moisture and dry the wool with a hair dryer. Pull the dry wool taut and iron it with a steam iron on the maximum setting.

    • 4

      Apply spirit gum to your chin in a 1-inch strip. Pull off a 1-inch thick section of crepe wool and trim across the top with hair scissors to make it straight. Leave the wool wrong; you will be trimming the beard to the desired length after affixing it to your face.

    • 5

      Stick the straight end of the wool to the spirit gum on your face so it hangs down vertically. Continue applying spirit gum and strips of wool to your face from the bottom of your chin up to your sideburns to create a full beard.

    • 6

      Add a mustache, if desired, using the same techniques. Start from the corners of your lips and work toward the center of your lips, right under your nose.

    • 7

      Trim the beard and mustache to the desired length with hair scissors.

Theater Costumes

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