How to Make Your Own Latex Elf Ears

No elf costume would be complete without those distinctive pointy ears. If you walk into any costume shop, you can buy latex elf ear tips, but these are generic and are often don't look real. However, with supplies from that same costume shop, you can create custom elf ears that are designed specifically for the person wearing them. They are easy to make and look much more real than something out of a package.

Cut a hole in a piece of plastic wrap the size of a quarter.

Put the plastic wrap on the side of your model's head, pulling her ear through the hole. The plastic wrap will protect her hair.

Make sure your model's real ears are very clean and quite dry.

Sculpt an ear tip onto her ear with nose putty. You don't need any tools; just use your fingers. Coat your fingers with a little baby oil to keep the putty from sticking. Try to follow the curves of her own ear to make the tip look like it is part of the ear and not just stuck on top.

Smooth the putty's edges into her skin with more baby oil and buff out any noticeable imperfections. Be sure to smooth the putty on the back of her ear as well as the front.

Gently blot the tip with a tissue to remove excess oil.

Dab liquid latex onto the DIY elf ear tip with a makeup sponge, extending it onto the front and back of the model's actual ear. Allow the latex to dry, then add another layer. You want six to eight layers total, each one stopping a little higher than the previous so that the edge stays thin.

Powder the latex elf ear with baby powder to prevent it from sticking to itself.

Carefully peel off the latex ear tip, powdering the inside as you go.

Remove the putty from the inside of the latex ear tip.

Repeat the entire process for the other elf ear. If you feel comfortable, you can do both ears at once to save time.