Latex free prosthetics?

Question

I'm deathly allergic to latex but i want to make a realistic cat costume with prosthetics. sadly they are all latex! any allternative ideas?

Answer 1

Yeah, latex is so cheap; foam latex or slip latex (poured, like a mask) may be the only thing you'll find mass produced for Halloween that is prosthetic. If you tried to use the hollow slip latex stuff, you could fill the back with cotton and keep going past the edge so when you glue down the latex, it will be glued against the cotton and not your face. Spirit gum is about it if your in the regular stores, and watch out for any other adhesive. You probably know anything else in the regular store is latex. I wouldn't do this unless you or someone helping is experienced in special makeup effects.

If you're only spending a couple dollars, you could do a painted makeup, I threw some links below. I really liked the vid I found, but see if there's something else you like on youtube, like other demos.

A Venetian mask in the partial or full style might be interesting for a classy  twist. If masks interest you, there may also be some plastic vacuformed masks, but in my mind, that's like the stuff I used to see for a dollar as a kid. Maybe they're better now.

If you're pretty serious and into spending more, you might make some calls and see if anyone can advise you about applying some barriers to your face before applying an appliance. Maybe the companies that make the prosthetics or the companies that make the adhesives and barriers. Adhesives: spirit gum, Pros Aide, silicone adhesives. Barrier creams: Derma Shield, Top Guard ( http://ppi.cc/artsci_skin_preps_conditio... ). I've never tried to layer things for this purpose; it may not even work or be advisable.  Proximity to latex could still be a potential problem, despite trying to layer.

If you're up for it, you could try a variety of products to make your own prosthetics.

Simplest will be best, especially if you're still learning. If you get a chance, practice, take pics. If you want to duplicate one of your makeup tests, write down what you did and/or take step by step pics to help remember.

Answer 2

Neoprene, although i dont know if you are allergic to that. I am a mask maker and that is one substance i use. You could also think about wire for form. When you say prosthetics im assuming you want small ones? or are you thinking of rearranging large sections? Is this a costume or a mask? You could use foam also to shape large sections..

fun stuff!

Answer 3

As a former Properties Master, I suspect certainly there are many alternatives.

   I worked with one company that did a Community theater version of CATS, using fabrics, and faux furs. Obviously that takes an ability to design and sew. What I'm confused about however is the species, and the current costumes crafted using latex. I could understand Dinosaurs, with multiple appendages, but a cat is a relatively simple fix.

   "Realistic" is subjective and relative anyway. This is a Cat COSTUME, probably worn by a Human, not an Audio Animatronic cat. Might one not suspect that there are no cats, as large as a human, other than WILD, nor do many of them walk upright.

   Take a long look at "CATS" both the Musical, and any book showing the real thing. I suspect you can come up with all manner of "Alternatives"

Just my 2 "scents"