Seriously though, making your own fake blood is way easier than you think, and way cheaper than buying that stuff at the Halloween store that smells vaguely of chemicals and regret. Plus, you get to control the stain-factor, which is HUGE. Let’s be real, ain’t nobody got time for scrubbing blood stains out of their grandma’s antique couch after a zombie party.
So, here’s the deal, I’ve been messing around with this stuff for, like, forever. Mostly because I love a good dramatic effect, and partly because I’m a klutz and end up spilling stuff on myself anyway, might as well *look* intentional, right?
The key, the *absolute* key, is washable ingredients. Forget that corn syrup crap, unless you *want* to be sticky *and* stained. Think “stuff I can accidentally spill on myself and not freak out about.”
Tempura paint is your friend. Seriously. The washable kind, obviously. It’s non-toxic, it gives a nice, deep color, and it washes out (mostly). Okay, okay, disclaimer time: NOTHING is 100% stain-proof. I mean, you might get away with it on denim, but that silk blouse you borrowed from your sister? Maybe not the best idea. Common sense people! Don’t blame me if you ruin your fancy clothes.
Now, here’s my super-secret (not really) recipe:
* Washable tempura paint (red, duh!)
* A tiny, tiny bit of blue tempura paint (this makes it look more realistic, less “ketchup”)
* Water (to get the consistency right)
That’s it. Seriously. Just mix it all together until it looks suitably gruesome. I’m not gonna give you exact measurements, because honestly, I just eyeball it. You kinda gotta play around with it and see what you like. More water for a thinner, drippier effect. More paint for a thicker, gloopier look. It’s art, baby!
And for extra realism, you can add stuff like chocolate syrup (but that *will* stain a little, so use sparingly!), or even a little bit of coffee grounds for a more clotted look.
The biggest thing is to test it first. I mean, don’t just slather it all over yourself and then realize it’s gonna ruin your outfit. Dab a little on an inconspicuous spot of your clothes and see how it washes out. Better safe than sorry, ya know?
One last thing, and this is important: when you’re done, *wash your clothes immediately*. Don’t let that stuff sit overnight, because it’s gonna be harder to get out. And for delicate fabrics, hand-washing is probably a better bet.
