How To: Robot Makeup

Create a robot makeup that includes mechanical and electrical elements, and learn how to use metallic powders and paints.

A woman in robot makeup showing painted on electronics and robotic elements.

Robot Makeup Tips & Tutorials

Unless you have a background in robotics you may have never thought you’d create a real-life robot, but we’re about to dig into creating our own robot makeup right now. Robots don’t always look like humans, so we can’t confuse our robot makeup with humanoid makeup. We need to know what makes an authentic-looking robot makeup. Let’s dig into the details.

Elements of a Robot Makeup

After digging through tons of examples of robot makeup, here are the elements I’ve found are most important to making your robot makeup look authentic.

  • Metallic Skin

We know robots don’t necessarily have to be made from metal, but when it comes to creating a robot makeup I’ve found that metallic skin or metallic elements are a standout trait.

  • Wiring

Whether painted or glued, having some wire elements lends to the idea that your character is mechanical. Wires can be real, or they can be painted with colorful or metallic paint.

  • Moving parts/joints

A robot can have many moving parts to allow movement. In our makeup, these joints are painted black and give the illusion of darkness or emptiness. The face, neck, arms and hands can all give the illusion of moving parts.

Pinterest Inspiration

Check out these looks I’ve gathered for you. Get inspired!

Tutorials

Here are a few tutorials to help you get started.

Using metallic powder

If you’re visiting this page and you’re an NME Box subscriber, then you received Mehron’s metallic powder and mixing liquid inside your box. This tutorial shows you how to mix and master these metallic powders. They’re great because they can be used alone or with a mixing liquid, and can even be used in your hair! Check this out!

Detailed robot tutorial

NME Boxers also got a bunch of grommets, wires, lights, and other trinkets to get your robot makeup looking more realistic. (Seriously, join NME Box if you haven’t already!) This amazing tutorial shows you how to use extras to enhance your makeup look.

Joints and gears

This last tutorial uses stencils and an airbrush to create details, but even if you don’t have those tools, there are tons of ideas of things to add to your own robot makeup look.

Know of any other great robot makeup looks or tutorials? Tell us in the comments!

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