As the years speed ahead so does the technology and the materials available to us as make-up artists. One such material is 3rd Degree made by Alcone. You will remember it as the material used to create Heath Ledgers smile in Batman - The Dark Knight.

I was first introduced to the material when I returned to teaching just this pass year and found it great for scratch builds for burns and quick casualty simulations. Then when we started work on our second book "Reel Characters," I used it to do a new take on a Terminator make-up and a few other additions such as ear tips for a demon I made out of kit.

For those of you not familiar with the material, and I do suggest you check it out; it is a two part silicone that you mix 50% of A&B and apply directly to an actors or models skin. It can be blended and shaped with a brush or tool and 99% Isopropyl Alcohol. It comes in three skin shades; there is a clear, a blood colour and an ice blend that I used to create icicles dangling from a model's ear lobes.

Be aware you have five minutes to work the material before it kicks so I recommend small batches while you get used to handling it. The great thing is you can build upon what ever you are working on so separation is not a problem. It can be coloured with the alcohol based palettes and you can also colour it intrinsically adding pigment while you mix, be it flocking, air brush paint and so on. When you finish you can remove the pieces at the end of the day and then reuse them if necessary.

When applying the 3rd Degree be aware of placement. Areas involving a lot of movement will work the material free after a while and you will be forced to reattach it with Pros-aide or a silicon adhesive. Also removal will mean repainting as once flexed much of the external colour comes off. There are other materials out there like it, but 3rd Degree is worth giving a try. For those of you on a tight budget a little goes a long way and as I mentioned you can reuse your pieces.

Out of kit work has never been better, so look around and experiment with all the new materials available. You can go from an unknown to overnight hero elevating production value to no budget shows and upping your reputation and demand in the process. So look around you and live a life inspired making the best of everything available and I guarantee you will be among the best there is in the process.