If you wish to use your own hair, make sure that it’s about shoulder-length first, then skip down to styling it. Apply the petroleum jelly to your hair rather than to your skin. Spirit gum is easy to remove them skin, but difficult to remove from hair.
Alternatively, stuff your bald cap with cotton batting instead. [3] X Research source Don’t worry about gluing the batting down; the bald cap will help hold it in place.
A bald cap is not the same thing as a swim cap or a wig cap. You need to buy it online or in a costume shop. The color doesn’t matter. If there’s too much bulk in the seams, pull the cotton batting downward with your fingers. Be careful so that it doesn’t peek out from under the cap, however. If you choose to leave your ponytail out, you’ll need to tuck it under the rest of your costume.
Double-check your front hairline and glue down any other edges that appear loose. Spirit gum is a theatrical-grade adhesive used for prosthetics. You can find it online and in costume shops. Spirit gum contains a little brush inside the cap, like nail polish. Hold the cap and use the brush to apply the liquid.
Make sure that you get the front and temples, all the way down to your ears. Wait 1 to 2 minutes for the liquid latex to dry, then apply another coat, if needed. If the liquid latex is taking too long to dry, speed the process up with a hairdryer.
Do this with 2 or 3 tissues so that they’re ready for you in case you run out. Your hands may get messy, so it’ll be easier to have all your tissues ready. If you don’t have tissues, use toilet paper instead. Paper towels are not recommended because they are too stiff. Skip this step and the next for the Tim Curry version of Pennywise.
Start at the bottom edge of the bald cap and work your way up to the top-center of your forehead.
For best results, choose a wig with straight fibers, although a wig with wavy fibers may also work. Don’t use a curly wig. If you’re worried about the wig slipping back, apply some spirit gum to the underside of the wig’s hairline, then press it against the bald cap. If you are doing the Tim Curry version, use a straight, red wig instead. If you wish to use your own hair, comb it back, then spray your front hairline with white hairspray. [10] X Research source
Don’t worry too much about making it look neat. Pennywise doesn’t have nice hair. Save the cut-off chunks of hair so that you can later attach them to the front of the wig to create the widow’s peak for the 2017 version of Pennywise. Skip this step if you’re using your own hair. [12] X Research source
If you’re using your own hair, be sure not to tease too close to the front of your hairline. You want that hair to still lie smoothly against your scalp. [14] X Research source To tease hair: pull the hair away from your head and comb it back towards the scalp. Use short, quick strokes.
For the original 1990 version, make the hair stick straight out from your head on all sides, then mist it with hairspray. If you are using your own hair, you can use orange or red colored hairspray instead. [16] X Research source
For a fuller look, apply the hair to the spirit gum in rows, starting from the wider end of the triangle and finishing at the point. Skip this step if you’re using your own hair or doing the original Tim Curry Pennywise. If you’re using your own hair and want a widow’s peak, spray a triangle onto your forehead with orange hairspray. [18] X Research source
If you do decide to use colored hairspray, retouch your hairline with white makeup.
For a smoother look, wait until the glue dries, then apply spirit gum over it. Only do this if you have spirit gum remover handy. A spoolie is essentially a mascara brush, but it comes with a longer handle, like a makeup brush. You can use an old, clean toothbrush instead.
If you are using water-based makeup, you’ll have to dampen the sponge first. You can use a spray-on foundation on your forehead and neck, but you shouldn’t use it on your face because it’s not precise enough. When doing your forehead, be sure to cover the bald cap too, all the way up to the wig.
This is mostly to set your “canvas. " You’ll be setting your makeup again at the end. “Baking” is a popular technique for applying setting powder, but you don’t need to do that for this stage. Save that technique for the end.
You can use a cream-based theatrical makeup or regular eyeshadow, like what you’d buy from the makeup counter. If you’re doing the 1990 version of Pennywise, apply blue eyeshadow over your eyelid in a triangle shape instead.
To get a more accurate look, tilt your chin down first, so that you have a double-chin, then apply the shadow to the crease between your chins. For a frowny look, apply a touch of gray eyeshadow under the inner corners of your eyebrows using a small brush. [24] X Research source Skip this step and the next if you’re doing the original version of Pennywise from the 1990 film.
You can also use black hairspray or a stipple sponge, like what you’d use to paint a beard on. Water-based costume makeup would be the best, but you can use face paint too.
An oil-based eyeshadow will work the best, but you can try regular eyeshadow too. An eyeliner or lip liner will also work. The creases between Pennywise’s eyebrows look a little like parentheses. For the Tim Curry version, make the eyebrows smaller, darker, and less arched.
Take a moment to enhance the shadows you added around your mouth and under your eyes. This is only for the 2017 version, however.
Oil-based face paint will work the best for this, but you can use lipstick too. For a more accurate look, lightly brush or “feather” the red paint up the bridge of your nose by about 1⁄2 cm (0. 20 in). [29] X Research source If you want to do the Tim Curry version, pop on a rubber or latex clown nose. Do not use a foam clown nose; it’s too round.
For the Tim Curry Pennywise, make both the top and bottom lips just inside your natural lip line.
Pull out some reference photos of the 2017 version of Pennywise for this. If you’re doing the original 1990 Pennywise, draw a small, vertical black line under the center of each eye. They should only be about 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 in (0. 64 to 1. 27 cm) long.
Alternatively, apply a misting of setting spray instead. For best results, use theatrical-grade setting powder or setting spray. It will help your makeup last much longer!
Once you’ve completed the makeup, tilt your chin down, look up with your eyes, and give a nice smile. Skip this step if you’re doing the Tim Curry version. You could, however, pull on a pair of claw-like finger gloves. Remember to take all precautions when buying and wearing contacts. Get a prescription first, and never leave them in longer than a few hours.
