Zombies & UndeadNo. 2780 · The 2026 edition
Mummy Makeup How-To
Transform into a spooky mummy with this DIY makeup tutorial using coffee-stained paper towels and a flour paste.
Our own summary of the original — the full post and photos live at marthastewart.com.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ft_halloween00mummy_xl-ae1f5e5d14894ff19087602782eacf0f.jpg)
This mummy makeup guide uses a homemade flour-and-corn-syrup paste tinted with brown cream makeup, applied over coffee-stained paper towels for a realistic bandage effect. You'll cover your entire face, add shading around eyes and lips, then wrap with cheesecloth and age the look with brown makeup and earth-toned powder.
Directions
- The day before, soak paper towels in cold coffee and let them dry without squeezing. When you're ready to apply makeup, stir together 2 tablespoons flour and 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon corn syrup to form a paste, then tint it with brown cream makeup. You might need to mix extra as you go.
- Using a wooden spatula, spread a thick layer of the paste onto a small area of your face.
- Tear off a piece of the coffee-stained paper towel and press it onto the paste, tapping and wrinkling the paper. Cover your entire face, including ears and eyebrows, overlapping pieces as needed. Apply brown and black cream makeup around your eyes, on your lips, and on any exposed skin.
- Dab makeup onto the bandages too, emphasizing wrinkles and shading the hollows of your eyes and cheeks; blend everything together.
- Set the makeup with powder.
- Wrap your head and neck with strips of cheesecloth.
- Glue the loose ends of the cheesecloth to your face using spirit gum.
- With a paintbrush, pat the bandages with brown cream makeup to give them an aged look.
- Apply earth-toned powder to create a dusty appearance.
