Q. How do I take the measurements you need to make a custom facial hairpiece?

A. Making a cellophane mould of an actor's face will insure that facial hair we build for you will fit perfectly, and only takes a few minutes.

tools you'll need:

- transparent tape

- kitchen cellophane (cling-wrap)

- Sharpie marker

*** hint: It helps if the actor has a day or two of their own beard growth so you can see exactly what their natural hair growth pattern is.

Moustaches
Hold the cellophane over the area to be traced, and cover that area with 2 layers of transparent tape. Trace the area of natural growth, plus mark where the edge of the mouth is.  Take reference photograph of the cello tracing while it is still on the actor.

Sideburns
Hold the cellophane over the area to be traced, and cover that area with 2 layers of transparent tape. Trace the area of natural growth. Only one side of the face needs to be measured. Take reference photograph of the cello tracing while it is still on the actor.

Beards and Goatees
Hold the cellophane over the area to be traced, and cover that area with 2 layers of transparent tape. Trace the area of natural growth. Mark where the centre of the chin is, as well as the jaw line. Don't worry if your tracing on both sides isn't perfectly symmetrical, just mark with a checkmark which side of the tracing (left or right) you feel is more accurate. Take reference photograph of the cello tracing while it is still on the actor.

 

Special thanks to fellow wigger and all-around Theatre Guy, Sean, for lending his face to this page.